• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Summer Recipes
  • Recipe Index
  • Sweet Recipes
  • About

The Bossy Kitchen

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Summer Recipes
  • Recipe Index
  • Sweet Recipes
  • About
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Summer Recipes
  • Recipe Index
  • Sweet Recipes
  • About
×
Home > Recipes > Muffins and Scones

Cranberry Orange Muffins

by Gabriela - Updated December 10, 2024 | 1 Comment
↓ Jump to Recipe

This Cranberry Orange Muffins recipe combines the tartness of cranberries with the sweet citrus flavor of oranges. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon snack, these muffins are a versatile and delicious addition to any meal. With a prep time of just 15 minutes and a cook time of 25 minutes, you'll have warm, fresh muffins ready in no time. This recipe yields 12 muffins, making it perfect for sharing with family and friends during the holidays.

Stacked cranberry orange muffins.

Every holiday season, I cannot wait to bake these cranberry orange muffins, a recipe that never fails to bring a festive touch to our gatherings. The combination of tart cranberries and sweet, zesty orange perfectly reflects the season's flavors.

These muffins are a treat and a tradition, reminding me of the joy and warmth of holiday baking. Whether enjoyed at breakfast or as an afternoon snack, they always bring a smile to everyone's face.

Why This Recipe Works

This recipe balances the tartness of cranberries with the sweetness of orange juice and zest, creating a flavor profile that's both refreshing and satisfying. Spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, and ginger add warmth and depth, while the chopped walnuts provide a delightful crunch. The combination of these ingredients ensures that each bite is packed with flavor and texture.

Ingredients needed

  • All-purpose flour: Provides the base structure for the muffins.
  • Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with the texture.
  • Baking powder: Leavening agent that helps the muffins rise.
  • Baking soda: Works with the acid in the orange juice to provide additional leavening.
  • Orange Zest: Adds a burst of citrus flavor.
  • Nutmeg: Adds warmth and a subtle, spicy flavor.
  • Cinnamon: Enhances the overall flavor with its sweet and spicy notes.
  • Ginger: Adds a slight peppery and sweet flavor.
  • Butter: Provides richness and moisture.
  • Orange juice: Adds flavor and moisture.
  • Vanilla extract: Enhances the sweetness and adds depth.
  • Large eggs: Provide structure and moisture.
  • Cranberries: Add tartness and a pop of color. You can use fresh cranberries or frozen ones.
  • Chopped walnuts: Add texture and a nutty flavor.

How To Make These Cranberry Orange Muffins

Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease muffin pan or line with paper muffin liners. Set aside.

Muffin pan lined with muffin liners.

Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, blend together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, grated orange peel, nutmeg, cinnamon, and ginger.

Cut in the Butter: Using a pastry blender or fork, cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles a coarse meal.

Dry ingredients in a glass bowl for Cranberry Orange Muffins.
Dry ingredients with pieces of butter.

Mix Wet Ingredients: Stir in the orange juice, vanilla extract, and slightly beaten eggs until just combined.

Dry ingredients with wet ingredients for cranberry muffins.
Eggs mixed with vanilla in a white bowl.

Add Cranberries and Walnuts: Gently fold in the cranberries and chopped walnuts, ensuring even distribution.

Cranberries and walnuts over muffin batter.

Fill Muffin Cups: Spoon the batter into the greased muffin pan, filling each about ⅔ full.

Bake: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes, or until the muffins are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Unbaked muffins ready for baking.
Baked Cranberry Orange Muffins in the muffin pan.

Cool: Allow the muffins to cool in the tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Expert Tips

  • Butter Temperature: Ensure the butter is cold when cutting it into the dry ingredients to achieve the desired coarse meal texture.
  • Avoid Overmixing: Mix the wet and dry ingredients until they are combined to prevent the muffins from becoming dense.
  • Frozen Cranberries: If using frozen cranberries, do not thaw them before adding them to the batter to prevent the muffins from becoming too wet.

What To Serve With Cranberry Orange Muffins

Cranberry Orange Muffins are versatile and can be served with a variety of accompaniments:

  • Breakfast: Pair with a cup of coffee or tea for a delightful morning treat.
  • Brunch: Serve alongside scrambled eggs and bacon for a complete brunch.
  • Afternoon Snack: Enjoy with a glass of milk or a smoothie.
Baked cranberry orange muffins.

How To Store Cranberry Orange Muffins

Room Temperature: Store the muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Refrigeration: For longer storage, refrigerate the muffins for up to a week.

Freezing: These muffins freeze well. Place them in a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze them for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or warm in the microwave before serving.

Cranberry Muffins Pinterest.

More Muffin Recipes To Love

  • Basic Corn Muffins (Quick And Easy)
  • Espresso Chocolate Chip Muffins Recipe
  • Classic Blueberry Muffins
  • Savory Cranberry Muffins
  • Easy Pumpkin Muffins Recipe
  • Easy Banana Nut Muffins
Thank you note for the readers.

📖 Recipe

Cranberry Orange Muffins on a white plate.

Cranberry Orange Muffins

Cranberry Orange Muffins are a perfect blend of tart cranberries, sweet orange zest, and warm spices. Quick to make in just 40 minutes, these moist and flavorful muffins are ideal for a festive treat or cozy snack.
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Share GrowSaved! Rate
Course: Sweet Breads, Muffins and Scones
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes minutes
Servings: 12 muffins
Calories: 332kcal
Author: Gabriela
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 tablespoon grated orange peel
  • 1 ½ teaspoons nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ginger
  • ½ cup butter
  • ¾ cup orange juice
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs slightly beaten
  • 1 ½ cups cranberries fresh or frozen, cut large ones in half
  • 1 ½ cups chopped walnuts
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350F. Grease muffin pan or line with paper muffin liners. Set aside.
  • Combine first eight ingredients in a bowl and blend well.
  • Using a pastry blender or fork, cut in the butter until mixture resembles coarse meal.
  • Stir in orange juice, vanilla and eggs.
  • Fold in cranberries and nuts.
  • Spoon into well greased muffin cups.
  • Bake at 350F for 25 minutes or until golden brown.

Notes

  • Butter: For best results, use cold butter and cut it into the dry ingredients to create a crumbly texture that leads to tender muffins.
  • Cranberries: If using frozen cranberries, there's no need to thaw them before adding to the batter; this helps prevent the muffins from becoming too moist.
  • Orange Zest: Freshly grated orange zest adds the most vibrant flavor. Make sure to avoid grating too deep into the pith, as it can be bitter.
  • Nuts: Feel free to substitute walnuts with pecans or leave them out altogether for a nut-free version.
  • Storage: Store muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat in the oven for a fresh-baked taste.

Nutrition

Serving: 1muffin | Calories: 332kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 48mg | Sodium: 158mg | Potassium: 145mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 321IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 67mg | Iron: 2mg
Tried this Recipe? Pin it Today!Mention @thebossykitchen or tag #thebossykitchen!

More Easy and Delicious Muffins / Scones

  • Corn muffins stacked on a plate.
    Basic Corn Muffins (Quick And Easy)
  • Stacked espresso chocolate chip muffins on a white plate.
    Espresso Chocolate Chip Muffins Recipe
  • Easy delicious British style scones square
    English Scones Recipe
  • Delicious Classic Blueberry Muffins on plates served with Turkish coffee.
    Classic Blueberry Muffins

Sharing is caring!

  • Share
  • Reddit
  • Threads
  • Bluesky

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Gigi says

    January 17, 2025 at 7:14 pm

    5 stars
    These muffins are so tasty and they’re so flavorful. The orange and the cranberry really work together. Yum!

    Reply
5 from 1 vote

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating





Primary Sidebar

Gabriela the creator of The Bossy Kitchen

Hi! I am Gabriela, and this is my virtual home. I am a trained Pastry Chef and a self-taught cook. I inherited the cooking genes from my maternal grandma and the love for baking from my paternal grandma.

More about me →

Check out our Latest Recipes

Easter Recipes

  • Mexican Wedding Cookies on a Christmas plate.
    Easy Mexican Wedding Cookies Recipe
  • Creamed Spinach with eggs
    Easy Creamed Spinach
  • Cheese Straws With Poppy Seeds served on a platter.
    Best Homemade Cheese Straws with Poppy Seeds
  • Capirotada slice on plate square photo0
    Capirotada (Mexican Bread Pudding)

Popular Recipes

  • Charlotte Russe Cake with strawberries on a glass cake stand.
    Charlotte Russe Cake- Classic European Recipe(No Bake)
  • A tarta de Santiago or Spanish almond cake on a platter on the table.
    Spanish Almond Cake (Tarta De Santiago)
  • EASY MEXICAN PORK IN GREEN SAUCE- PUERCO EN SALSA VERDE
    Pork In Chile Verde Recipe
  • Pineapple Chicken Salad on greens square photo0
    Classic Pineapple Chicken Salad

Footer

↑ back to top

Info

Disclaimer And Privacy Policy

Accessibility Statement

Hi!

Whether it’s sponsored blog posts, social media campaigns, or recipe development using your products, I’m here to sprinkle some Bossy Kitchen magic onto it! Buzz me at:

💌 contact@theBossyKitchen.com

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2025 TheBossyKitchen

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.