Christmas Cranberry Orange Muffins: Our Best Favorite!

Christmas Cranberry Orange Muffins

Few things capture the spirit of the holidays quite like the irresistible aroma of freshly baked goods, and my Easy Christmas Cranberry Orange Muffins embody everything I adore about this festive season. The moment that vibrant scent of citrus and sweet-tart cranberries starts wafting from the oven, my kitchen feels instantly festive, bottling up pure warmth, joy, and delicious anticipation.

I still remember that chilly December morning, the window frosted over, when I finally perfected these beauties after a few too-dry batches – we’ve all been there, haven’t we? That journey to find the just-right balance of moist crumb, tangy fruit, and fragrant orange zest is the true beauty of home baking, and it reminds me of the delightful experimentation I also had when developing my Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese Swirl Muffins for fall.

Now, these Christmas Cranberry Orange Muffins have become an indispensable tradition in our home, a must-have for Christmas morning breakfast or a delightful treat for unexpected guests, just like how a simple recipe like The Best Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Muffins can become a regular favorite for a quick, healthy snack. I truly can’t wait for you to experience the pure joy and incredible flavor of these simple yet profoundly delicious muffins.

Christmas Cranberry Orange Muffins: Our Favorite!

Recipe by MayaCourse: BreakfastCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

30

minutes

Cooking time

40

minutes

Calories

300

kcal

Warm, tender Christmas Cranberry Orange Muffins bursting with juicy cranberries and bright orange zest. Perfect for a festive holiday breakfast!

Ingredients

• For the Muffins:

• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour

• 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar

• 1 tablespoon baking powder

• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted

• 1/4 cup (60ml) vegetable oil

• 1 large egg, room temperature

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk, room temperature

• 1 tablespoon orange zest (from 1 large orange)

• 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries

• For the Optional Orange Glaze:

• 1/2 cup (60g) powdered sugar

• 1-2 tablespoons fresh orange juice

Directions

• 1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
• 2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
• 3. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the melted butter, vegetable oil, egg, and vanilla extract until well combined.
• 4. Add the buttermilk and orange zest to the wet ingredients, whisking until smooth.
• 5. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Mix with a spoon or spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are okay. Gently fold in the cranberries.
• 6. Divide the batter evenly among the 12 muffin cups, filling each almost to the top.
• 7. Bake for 5 minutes at 400°F (200°C), then reduce the oven temperature to 375°F (190°C) and continue baking for 15-18 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. (Total bake time 20-23 minutes).
• 8. Let the muffins cool in the muffin tin for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
• 9. For the optional glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and orange juice until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled muffins.

Notes

• A Family Secret: Don’t overmix your batter! Overmixing develops gluten too much, leading to tough, chewy muffins instead of that perfectly tender crumb we’re aiming for. Mix until just combined, even if there are a few lumps.
• Zest it Up: The orange zest is where the brightest citrus flavor lives, not just the juice. Make sure to zest your orange before juicing it, and use a microplane for the finest zest without any bitter white pith.
• Cranberry Prep: If using fresh cranberries, there’s no need to do anything special. If using frozen, add them directly from the freezer. If using dried, you can plump them up by soaking them in warm water or orange juice for 15 minutes, then draining well, before folding them in.