Description
Delight in the vibrant flavors of these Cranberry Orange Muffins, a perfect blend of tart fresh cranberries and zesty orange infused in a tender, moist muffin. With hints of nuts and white chocolate chips, these muffins make a delightful breakfast or snack, offering a balance of sweet and tangy with a soft crumb that melts in your mouth.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted and cooled)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
- Zest of one orange
Add-ins
- 1 1/2 cups fresh cranberries
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)
- 1/4 cup white chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) and prepare a 12-cup muffin tin by lining it with paper liners or greasing it thoroughly to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt to create your dry mix. Set this aside momentarily.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the melted and cooled unsalted butter with the eggs, milk, fresh orange juice, and orange zest until thoroughly blended, forming your wet mix.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixes: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently fold together with a spatula or wooden spoon just until a few flour streaks remain. Avoid overmixing to maintain a tender texture.
- Add Cranberries and Extras: Carefully fold in the fresh cranberries, chopped nuts, and white chocolate chips until just incorporated, keeping the batter lumpy for the best muffin texture.
- Fill Muffin Cups: Evenly distribute the batter among the muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full to allow room for rising.
- Bake: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 18-22 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean, indicating doneness.
- Cool Muffins: Remove the muffins from the oven and let them cool in the tin for 5 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
Notes
- Use fresh or frozen cranberries depending on availability; if frozen, do not thaw before adding.
- Chopped walnuts or pecans both add a nice crunch and flavor contrast; choose based on preference.
- You can substitute white chocolate chips for regular chocolate chips if desired for a different flavor profile.
- For a dairy-free version, replace milk with almond or oat milk and use a plant-based butter substitute.
- Be careful not to overmix the batter to avoid tough muffins; a few lumps are ideal.
- If you prefer less sweetness, reduce sugar by up to 1/4 cup without affecting texture too much.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
