---

✨ Why Cranberry Orange Muffins Are the Perfect Balance

Have you ever tasted a muffin that’s sweet, tangy, citrusy, and perfectly moist all at once?

This Cranberry Orange Muffins recipe delivers that exact bakery-style flavor at home. The bright citrus zest enhances the tart cranberries, while the soft, fluffy crumb makes every bite irresistible.

They’re perfect for:

• ☕ Morning coffee
• 🎄 Holiday brunch
• 🧁 Afternoon snack
• 🎁 Edible gifts
• 🥞 Weekend baking

Fresh, vibrant, and beautifully balanced.

---

🛒 Ingredients

🥣 Dry Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt

---

🍊 Wet Ingredients

• ½ cup unsalted butter (melted)
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup fresh orange juice
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• ½ cup milk or buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

---

🍒 Add-Ins

• 1½ cups fresh or frozen cranberries

✨ Optional:

• 2 tablespoons flour (to toss cranberries, prevents sinking)

---

🍯 Optional Orange Glaze

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2–3 tablespoons fresh orange juice

---

⏱ Timing

Step	Time
Prep	15 minutes
Bake	18–22 minutes
Total	~35 minutes

Quick enough for busy mornings.

---

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Preheat & Prepare

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

Line muffin tin with paper liners or grease lightly.

---

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a bowl combine:

• Flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt

Whisk and set aside.

---

Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl whisk together:

• Melted butter
• Sugar
• Eggs
• Orange juice
• Orange zest
• Milk
• Vanilla

Mix until smooth.

---

Step 4: Combine & Fold

Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture.

Mix gently until just combined.

Fold in cranberries.

✨ Do not overmix — keeps muffins fluffy.

---

Step 5: Fill & Bake

Fill muffin cups about ¾ full.

Bake 18–22 minutes until toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Cool 5–10 minutes before glazing.

---

Step 6: Add Glaze (Optional)

Mix powdered sugar with orange juice.

Drizzle over cooled muffins for bakery-style finish.

---

💡 Why This Recipe Works

✔ Orange zest enhances flavor depth
✔ Fresh juice adds natural moisture
✔ Balanced sweetness complements tart cranberries
✔ Proper mixing keeps crumb tender

Soft inside. Slightly crisp tops. Bright flavor.

---

💪 Nutritional Snapshot (Per Muffin)

• Calories: 220–260
• Carbohydrates: 35g
• Fat: 9g
• Protein: 4g

Sweet, fruity, and satisfying.

---

🌿 Customization Ideas

🔹 Healthier Version

Use whole wheat flour (replace half the flour).

🔹 Dairy-Free

Use almond milk and vegan butter.

🔹 Extra Crunch

Add chopped pecans.

🔹 Sweeter Version

Add white chocolate chips.

🔹 Lower Sugar

Reduce sugar by ¼ cup.

Flexible and easy to adapt.

---

🍽 Serving Suggestions

Serve Cranberry Orange Muffins with:

• Fresh fruit
• Greek yogurt
• Coffee or tea
• Holiday brunch spreads
• Butter or cream cheese

They also freeze beautifully for meal prep.

---

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Overmixing batter
❌ Not zesting orange
❌ Using too much liquid
❌ Overbaking
❌ Skipping liner or greasing pan

Gentle mixing = tender muffins.

---

🧊 Storage Tips

Room Temperature

Store in airtight container up to 3 days.

Refrigerator

Keeps up to 5 days.

Freezer

Freeze up to 3 months.

Reheat 15–20 seconds in microwave for fresh taste.

---

🤎 Final Thoughts

This Cranberry Orange Muffins recipe is bright, moist, and packed with citrus flavor. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or holiday baking, these muffins strike the perfect sweet-tart balance. Try them today, leave a comment with your favorite add-ins, and subscribe for more delicious baking recipes!

---

🍊 Fresh. Tangy. Bakery-style goodness. 🧁