Indulge in these scrumptious treats, infused with plump, tender cranberries that release a burst of flavor with every delicious morsel. Crafted with wholesome ingredients and delicately sweetened with a touch of pure maple syrup.
As the holiday season approaches and thoughts turn to festive baking, I set out to craft a recipe for wholesome cranberry orange muffins that would delight taste buds while aligning with modern dietary standards.
After meticulously testing four distinct iterations, I am confident that this recipe has reached its optimal form. I’ve savored the most scrumptious cranberry orange muffins that have ever graced my plate – and I’m not one to exaggerate!
These muffins boast a sublime texture, with a perfect balance of fluffiness and moisture that’s simply irresistible, while the vibrant orange zest and tangy cranberries conspire to create an explosion of flavour in every delectable bite. The harmonious union of orange and cranberry is a true culinary masterpiece, don’t you agree?
Here’s a deliciously festive treat that’s perfect for enjoying at breakfast or as a snack throughout the entire holiday season! This sweet potato hash would pair delightfully with your festive Christmas brunch offerings – including the make-ahead breakfast casserole, crispy air fryer breakfast potatoes, fresh fruit salad, and refreshing apple cider mimosas.
Why You’ll Love These Muffins
- The muffin’s texture is indeed sublime. These tender, velvety treats possess a delightful texture that perfectly captures the essence of a freshly baked muffin.
- What sets our muffin recipe apart is that we swap out refined sugars and dairy for healthier alternatives. Indulge in these scrumptious cranberry orange muffins, crafted with the wholesome ingredients of Greek yogurt, heart-healthy olive oil, and pure maple syrup, offering a guilt-free twist on traditional treats.
- With minimal preparation required, this quick-baking recipe yields a batch of delicious muffins in just 30 minutes from start to finish.
- Indulge in these delicious muffins as a convenient and satisfying treat to start your day, provide a pick-me-up any time of day, or impress your guests at your next gathering. You’re guaranteed to win people over with these crowd-pleasers.
Ingredients Needed
- Using all-purpose flour ensured the muffins remained delightfully tender and light.
- These ingredients work in tandem to ensure the muffins reach their optimal height.
- adds a warm, inviting essence that harmoniously balances the vibrant citrus zest with the tangy cranberries, creating a delightful sensory experience.
- Provides cohesion and lends texture to the muffin mixture.
- nurtures a subtle maple sweetness that perfectly complements the muffins’ natural flavors. No refined sugar here!
- By substituting some of the oil with Greek yogurt, I was able to introduce an extra source of protein into my recipe. While using full-fat yogurt is my preferred choice, I am flexible and understand that low-fat yogurt can be a suitable alternative.
- To maintain the ultimate moisture level in these scrumptious muffins, I often rely on the rich flavor of olive oil or avocado oil, yet for a refined oil-free approach, pureed applesauce proves to be a fantastic substitute.
- Here are the two must-have ingredients for this recipe: To unleash the full potential of a vibrant orange flavor, consider incorporating freshly squeezed orange juice into your recipe. You’ll also need to grab a fresh orange on your next trip to the store, as its zest is essential for this recipe.
- That’s a must-have ingredient for real muffin enthusiasts? Both fresh and frozen berries are suitable options for this dish. There’s no need to thaw frozen cranberries when using them.
Recipe Substitutions
- Swap in whole wheat flour or whole wheat pastry flour for added fibre, noting that it may slightly densify the muffins. For a lighter texture, consider blending equal parts of whole wheat and all-purpose flour to achieve the perfect balance.
- Greek yogurt’s rich texture and boosted protein content make it an excellent addition, yet any yogurt variety suffices; opt for unflavored and unsweetened options to reap the full benefits.
- While honey can serve as a substitute in a pinch, its distinct flavor profile and nutritional content differ significantly from those of maple syrup. Honey brings a unique and subtle flavour dimension to these muffins, deviating slightly from the traditional taste profile.
- While I haven’t personally tested this substitution, I’m confident that using a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend could work in place of traditional all-purpose flour. Ensure you opt for a reputable manufacturer to achieve optimal outcomes.
- Utilize a non-Greek yogurt alternative that happens to be dairy-free.
- If you’re looking for a plant-based alternative to traditional eggs in your baking, consider trying chia eggs or flax eggs as a potential substitute. Would anyone really want to read a lengthy analysis of my thought process?
What’s Baking in Your Kitchen? Cranberry Orange Muffin Recipe
To make these mouthwatering muffins, you’ll need the following ingredients:
The recipe for these cranberry orange muffins is straightforward and uncomplicated. Here’s how to make them:
In a medium-sized bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a harmonious blend.
Combine the eggs, maple syrup, Greek yogurt, oil, orange juice, orange zest, and vanilla in a spacious mixing bowl. Blend thoroughly to a consistent texture.
Combine the dry flour mixture with the wet ingredients in a gentle mixing motion, ensuring all ingredients are just incorporated without overmixing. Don’t over mix!
Carefully fold in the finely chopped cranberries to avoid mashing them.
Spoon the batter uniformly into each muffin cup to ensure equal portions.
Bake at 350°F for 20-22 minutes, or when a toothpick inserted into the center emerges clean. Allow the muffins to cool for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to finish cooling completely.
Brittany’s Tips!
- It’s crucial to take care in measuring ingredients to prevent your muffins from becoming dry or dense. To ensure accurate measurements, either employ a scale or, when utilizing a measuring cup, thoroughly aerate the flour by gently stirring it with a fork or spoon beforehand. Spoon the flour into your measuring cup, then level it with a knife to ensure accuracy. Don’t compact your flour unnecessarily!
- Zesting an orange beforehand makes the juicing process significantly simpler.
- To ensure each morsel is infused with the tartness of cranberries, process them briefly in a food processor before incorporating them into the batter.
- To produce flawlessly fluffy and tender muffins, a crucial step is to steer clear of overmixing the dough. Stir until the ingredients are barely amalgamated to achieve an ideal texture. While a few flour streaks may remain, their visibility is minimal, as the subsequent mixing with cranberries will thoroughly combine the ingredients.
- These designs ensure effortless detachment and minimal clutter. To ensure easy release of baked goods, thoroughly grease muffin tin interiors when liners aren’t available. I adore these silicone muffin cups, hands down!
- To determine whether your muffins are fully baked, insert a toothpick into the centre of one. When the baked goods emerge from the oven, if they’re perfectly clean or merely adorned with a few crumbs, they’re then ready for removal.
How to Store Muffins
These muffins store really well. Store the contents in a tightly sealed container and keep at room temperature for up to three days or refrigerate for four to five days.
You can also freeze these for longer storage? Consider preserving leftovers in an airtight, freezer-safe container for optimal storage up to three months. Allow to thaw in the refrigerator or at room temperature before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
When extracting zest from citrus fruits, a microplane zester or fine grater is the most effective tool to use. Carefully remove the outermost orange layer’s zest, taking care not to scrape the underlying white pith, which can impart an unpleasant bitterness to your dish.
When incorporating flour into your muffin recipe, beware of overdoing it: excessive flour can lead to a desiccated final product. To achieve accuracy, consider utilising either a calibrated scale or a measuring cup. When employing measuring cups, ensure that you aerate your flour by gently stirring it with a fork or spoon beforehand. Scoop the flour into your measuring cup, then flatten the top with a straight edge or knife to ensure an accurate measurement. Don’t overcomplicate the process by packing your flour down.
Overbaking, a frequent culprit behind dry and unappetizing muffins, can quickly render them tough and flavorless. Verify the baked goods periodically, about a minute or two prior to the recommended cooking time, considering that oven temperatures and performances can differ significantly. Remove the baked goods from the oven at the precise moment when a toothpick inserted into the centre emerges spotless.
While using dried cranberries is an option, we actually get better results from opting for frozen or fresh cranberries. While dried cranberries are often sweeter than fresh ones, their natural sweetness is enhanced by added sugar, resulting in a heightened sugar content in these muffins. For me, dried cranberries just don’t compare to those luscious, plump fresh ones that burst with flavor in every bite. To incorporate dried cranberries into your recipe, consider reviving their natural sweetness by soaking them in warm water for 10-15 minutes; once rehydrated, gently pat them dry and fold them into the batter. To achieve the desired flavor, consider reducing the amount of fresh or frozen cranberries by a significant margin from the recommended quantity. Starting with one cup, you can always adjust to taste.
More Muffin Recipes to Try
Explore our comprehensive library of mouthwatering muffin recipes and a vast array of breakfast options here at EBF.
