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Irresistibly Easy Christmas Cranberry Orange Muffins Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 137 reviews

These Irresistibly Easy Christmas Cranberry Orange Muffins combine fresh cranberries, bright orange zest, and a moist, tender crumb to create a festive holiday treat. Topped with a buttery streusel and a zesty orange glaze, these muffins offer a perfect balance of tart and sweet in every bite. Perfect for holiday breakfasts, brunch, or gifting, they are simple to make and sure to impress.

Ingredients

Scale

Muffin Batter

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour (can be swapped with whole wheat pastry flour or a gluten-free blend for variety)
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • Zest of 2 large oranges
  • ½ cup fresh orange juice (from the zested oranges)
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
  • 1½ cups granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 3 cups fresh cranberries (or thawed frozen cranberries)

Streusel Topping

  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons cold butter
  • 1 tablespoon cream

Orange Glaze

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest
  • 3 to 4 tablespoons cream or half and half

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) so it’s ready when the batter is prepared.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together 3 cups of all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon sea salt, and the zest of 2 large oranges to infuse a vibrant citrus aroma.
  3. Prepare Wet Ingredients: Squeeze the zested oranges to obtain ½ cup fresh orange juice and set aside. In a large mixing bowl, combine orange juice, 1 cup melted unsalted butter, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 1 cup sour cream, and 1½ cups granulated sugar. Stir until smooth.
  4. Combine Batter: Gradually add the dry mix to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined to avoid overmixing.
  5. Fold in Cranberries: Carefully fold 3 cups of fresh cranberries into the batter, ensuring an even distribution throughout.
  6. Fill Muffin Tins: Line jumbo muffin tins with paper liners. Fill each cup about ¾ full with the batter.
  7. Prepare Streusel Topping: Mix ¼ cup all-purpose flour, ¼ cup granulated sugar, and 2 tablespoons cold butter until crumbly. Add 1 tablespoon cream and combine well.
  8. Top Muffins: Generously sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over each muffin and optionally adorn with sliced cranberries for extra color and texture.
  9. Bake: Bake the muffins in the preheated oven for 26 to 28 minutes, or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
  10. Make Orange Glaze: While baking, whisk together 1 cup powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon orange zest, and 3 to 4 tablespoons cream or half and half until desired glaze thickness is reached.
  11. Glaze Muffins: After muffins have cooled slightly, drizzle the orange glaze generously over the tops for a sweet, citrusy finish.

Notes

  • For a healthier option, substitute all-purpose flour with whole wheat pastry flour or a gluten-free blend.
  • You may replace sour cream with Greek yogurt to add a slight tang and reduce fat.
  • Do not overmix the batter to keep muffins tender and fluffy.
  • If using frozen cranberries, thaw and drain them before folding into the batter.
  • Adjust the glaze thickness by varying the cream quantity; thicker glaze can be achieved with less cream.
  • Use jumbo muffin liners to accommodate the batter volume and keep muffins moist.

Keywords: Christmas muffins, cranberry orange muffins, holiday baking, streusel topping, orange glaze muffins, festive breakfast

Find it online: https://lucabites.com/irresistibly-easy-christmas-cranberry-orange-muffins-recipe/