Packed with fresh cranberries and vibrant orange zest, these Cranberry Orange Muffins are the perfect way to start your morning! The combination of tart cranberries and citrusy orange creates a delightful balance in every bite. These muffins are moist and tender, with a sweet glaze to top it all off, making them hard to resist!
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Cranberry orange muffins recipe
These muffins are everything you want in a breakfast treat—they’re soft and fruity with a touch of sweetness. The Greek yogurt and buttermilk keep the muffins light and moist, while the orange zest complements the cranberries’ natural tartness. Top them with an easy orange glaze for muffins that are bursting with flavor!
They are perfect for brunch gatherings, holiday mornings, or any time you’re craving something a little special. And they freeze beautifully, making them a convenient choice for busy mornings!
Ingredients needed
- All-Purpose Flour: Creates a tender crumb.
- Baking Powder & Baking Soda: Helps the muffins rise and stay fluffy.
- Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the muffins and adds a little crunch when sprinkled on top.
- Greek Yogurt: Adds moisture and a slight tanginess.
- Buttermilk: Buttermilk adds moisture and a slightly tangy flavor. If you don’t have buttermilk, you can add a little bit of lemon juice or white vinegar to regular milk.
- Eggs: Binds everything together and adds structure.
- Orange Juice: Enhances the citrus flavor.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds a subtle depth of flavor.
- Fresh Cranberries: The star of the recipe! They provide a burst of tartness in every bite.
- Orange Zest: Intensifies the orange flavor throughout.
- Orange Glaze (Optional): Top the muffins with a simple orange glaze made from powdered sugar, orange juice, and zest for the perfect finishing touch.
How to make cranberry orange muffins
- Preheat: Preheat oven to 425°F and grease a muffin tin with nonstick spray. Set aside.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar. Set aside.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the yogurt, buttermilk, eggs, orange juice, and vanilla until smooth.
- Fold in Ingredients: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture and gently fold until just combined. Be careful not to over-mix. Fold in the cranberries and orange zest.
- Fill the Muffin Tin: Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups, filling each cup to the top. Sprinkle with extra sugar if desired for a crunchy topping.
- Bake: Bake at 425°F for 5 minutes, then without opening the oven, lower the temperature to 350°F and bake for an additional 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.
- Cool & Glaze: Let the muffins cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack. For added flavor, drizzle with the optional orange glaze.
Tips for success
- Don’t over-mix. Over-mixing can make the muffins dense. Fold until just combined for the fluffiest muffins.
- Fill the cups. For tall, bakery-style muffins, fill each muffin cup to the top. You don’t have to worry about spillage!
- Change the oven temperature. Starting at a high temperature and then reducing it during baking helps the muffins rise for a nice, domed top.
- Keep the oven door shut. When baking keep the oven door shut and when reducing the oven temp make sure to not open the oven door. This will cause the muffins to fall.
how to store the muffins
- To Store: Store the muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Adding a paper towel to the container helps absorb excess moisture and keeps the muffins from becoming soggy.
- To Freeze: These muffins freeze well! Once completely cooled, wrap each muffin individually in plastic wrap or foil and place in a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll stay fresh in the freezer for up to 3 months. To enjoy, thaw at room temperature or warm them up in the microwave for 20-30 seconds.
frequently asked questions
Can I use dried cranberries instead of fresh?
Yes, you can substitute dried cranberries if fresh ones aren’t available, but keep in mind that dried cranberries are sweeter. Try soaking them in hot water or orange juice for 10-15 minutes to plump them up before adding them to the batter.
Why start the oven temperature at 425°F?
Baking the muffins at a high temperature for the first few minutes helps them rise quickly and get that nice domed top. Lowering the temperature after 5 minutes allows them to bake evenly without burning.
Can I make these muffins gluten-free?
Absolutely! Substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for great results. Ensure your baking powder and baking soda are also gluten-free.
more muffin recipes to try
- Morning Glory Muffins
- Blueberry Streusel Muffins
- Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins
- The BEST Zucchini Muffins
- Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
Cranberry Orange Muffins
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cup all purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt, room temperature
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 3 tbsp orange juice
- 1 tbsp vanilla
- 1 1/2 cups fresh cranberries
- 2 tbsp orange zest
Orange Glaze, optional
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 1/2 tbsp orange juice
- 1 tsp orange zest
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Grease a muffin tin with non stick cooking spray, set aside.
- In a large bowl combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and sugar, set aside.
- In a medium bowl combine the yogurt, buttermilk, eggs, orange juice and vanilla. Whisk to combine.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and fold (making sure not to over-mix). Fold in the cranberries and the orange zest.
- Divide the muffin batter between the muffin tin. (It's ok to fill these up all the way).Sprinkle with extra sugar on top, if desired.
- Bake for 5 minutes then without opening the oven door lower the oven temperature to 350 degrees. Continue cooking at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until the muffins are golden brown and look set.
- Allow them to cool for a couple of minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completley.
- Serve as is or with the optional orange glaze. Enjoy!
Orange Glaze
- Combine orange juice, orange zest and powdered sugar in a small bowl. Whisk to combine then set aside.
Nutrition Information
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