Cranberry Bliss Muffins Bursting with Zesty Flavor

Recipe Introduction

Craving Comfort?

Ever have one of those days where only something home baked will do? Honestly, me too! And that's when I reach for my cranberry muffins recipe.

These babies are packed with tangy cranberries and a hint of citrus. They're like a hug in muffin form, and trust me, you deserve one!

A Bit About These Muffins

The cranberry orange muffins combo is a classic for a reason. Think New England autumns and festive cheer, all bundled into a delicious bite.

This is an easy cranberry muffin recipe , perfect for beginner bakers. It yields 12 gorgeous muffins, ready in about 40 minutes.

Why You'll Love These

These are the moist cranberry muffins you've been dreaming of. The buttermilk keeps them super tender. This recipe is ideal for a lazy weekend brunch, a quick breakfast, or even a festive afternoon tea.

It is very simple and tasty. And the best bit? They taste like you bought them from a fancy bakery style muffins .

Ready to get baking? Here is what you need.

Ingredients & Equipment for Cracking Cranberry Muffins

Right then, let's talk about what you need to bake some truly delicious cranberry muffins . This easy cranberry muffin recipe is foolproof if you've got your kit sorted.

Honestly, you likely have most of this stuff already.

Main Ingredients

• Egg: 1 large ( 50g ). Free range if you can, for a lovely colour.
• Oil: 1/2 cup (120ml) . Sunflower or canola oil works a treat.
• Buttermilk: 3/4 cup (180ml) . Cranberry muffins buttermilk makes them super moist!
• Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon (5ml) . The good stuff, please!.
• Granulated Sugar: 1/2 cup (100g) . For the perfect sweet touch.
• Orange Zest: From 1 orange. Don't skip this for great cranberry orange muffins !
• All-Purpose Flour: 2 cups (250g) . Plain flour, that's what you need.
• Baking Powder: 2 teaspoons (10ml) . Gets those bakery style muffins rising nicely.
• Baking Soda: 1/2 teaspoon (2.5ml) . For a bit of extra lift.
• Salt: 1/4 teaspoon (1.25ml) . Balances the sweet.
• Cranberries: 1 1/2 cups (150g) . Fresh or frozen.
• Sugar (for cranberries): 2 tablespoons (25g) . Stops them sinking.
• Flour (for cranberries): 1 tablespoon (10 ml) . Same again!.
• Coarse Sugar (optional): 2 tablespoons (25g) . For a sparkly finish.

For the cranberries, make sure they are plump! If frozen, don’t bother thawing them. I once forgot to toss my cranberries in sugar and flour.

Oh my gosh! They all ended up at the bottom!

Seasoning Notes

This quick muffin recipe benefits from a bit of citrus. Orange zest is key for that cranberry orange muffins vibe.

Vanilla extract warms things up nicely. You can sub lemon zest if you want cranberry muffin variations . Honestly, a little cinnamon would be fab too.

Equipment Needed

• Muffin tin (12-cup)
• Muffin liners (optional). Makes cleaning a breeze!.
• Mixing bowls. One large, one medium.
• Whisk
• Spatula. Gets every last bit of batter.
• Measuring cups and spoons.
• Zester.
• Pastry blender (optional). It can help keep the moist cranberry muffins tender, but honestly, you don't need it.

You don't need loads of fancy gear for this. Just your basics. If you haven't got muffin liners, just grease the tin well.

You are now set to bake these homemade muffins for a festive brunch recipes worthy of a spot on Instagram or your family sunday breakfast muffins .

Let's Bake Some Cracking Cranberry Muffins

Alright, let's whip up some cranberry muffins . Think Mary Berry meets Martha Stewart. We're aiming for delicious and dependable. Honestly, these cranberry orange muffins are gonna be brilliant.

Prep Steps: Your Mise en Place Mission

First things first, let's get our ingredients sorted. It's called mise en place , fancy French for "everything in its place".

Chop 1 1/2 cups of fresh cranberries and toss them with 2 tablespoons of sugar and 1 tablespoon of flour.

This stops them sinking. Have all your ingredients at room temperature. It helps everything blend beautifully. Set your oven to 400° F ( 200° C) .

Grab your muffin tin and liners.

step-by-step: Baking Made Easy

1. Whisk one egg, 1/2 cup of oil, 3/4 cup buttermilk, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1/2 cup sugar, and zest of one orange in a large bowl.
2. In another bowl, whisk 2 cups flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
3. Gently fold the dry into the wet. Mix just until combined. A few flour streaks are totally fine!
4. Fold in those lovely sugared cranberries.
5. Fill each muffin cup 2/3 full.
6. Sprinkle with coarse sugar if you like that extra sparkle.
7. Bake for 20- 25 minutes , until a toothpick comes out clean.
8. Cool for a bit in the tin, then on a rack.

Pro Tips for Bakery Style Muffins

Don't overmix! Seriously, overmixing is the enemy of moist cranberry muffins . Mix until just combined. I used to overmix everything and ended up with hockey pucks! Another trick? Cranberry muffins buttermilk adds such a lovely tang and keeps them super moist.

No buttermilk? Just add a tablespoon of lemon juice to milk. Let it sit for five minutes. You know? Easy peasy.

These are gonna be the best breakfast muffins ever!

Serving up your festive brunch recipes

Okay, so, you've got these amazing cranberry muffins , what now? Well, they're great on their own. Serve warm with clotted cream.

Pair with Earl Grey tea or alongside a fruit salad. Basically, these are perfect for any occasion. And remember to enjoy the process.

Baking should be fun. A quick muffin recipe like this one is perfect for a relaxed Sunday morning. These homemade muffins are super easy.

Get creative with cranberry muffin variations and add nuts, lemon zest, or even a little spice.

Recipe Notes: Your Cranberry Muffin Masterclass!

Right then, let's talk cranberry muffins ! These aren't just any muffins, mind you. We are talking about bakery style muffins ! This easy cranberry muffin recipe will soon be your favorite.

Whether you are looking for ideas for festive brunch recipes or a simple treat, I've got you covered. I've baked hundreds of these over the years, and picked up a few tricks along the way.

So, lets nail that moist cranberry muffins !

Plating and Presentation: Make 'Em Look Fancy

Honestly, even the simplest homemade muffins can look like a million quid with a bit of love. I love using paper liners for easy cleanup.

Dust the top with a little extra coarse sugar before baking, this gives 'em a lovely sparkle. Presentation is key for that perfect instagrammable look!.

Serve them on a nice plate, maybe with a sprinkle of powdered sugar, and you are golden!. Cranberry orange muffins pair wonderfully with a pot of tea or a glass of fresh orange juice.

Storage Savvy: Keeping Your Muffins Fresh as a Daisy

These cranberry muffins buttermilk beauties are best enjoyed fresh. But, they keep well for a few days. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days.

If you want to keep them longer, pop them in the fridge for up to a week. For long term storage, freeze them in a freezer safe bag for up to 3 months .

When you're ready to tuck in, just thaw them at room temperature or give them a quick warm-up in the oven.

To reheat them, bake for 5- 10 minutes at 350° F.

Cranberry Muffin Variations : Mix It Up a Bit!

Feeling adventurous? Let's play around with some cranberry muffin variations ! For a gluten-free option, simply swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend.

For a dairy-free version, use plant based milk and oil instead of buttermilk and butter. Love nuts? Add 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans for a bit of crunch.

As for seasonal swaps, blueberries are amazing during the summer.

Nutrition Basics : A Little Bit of What You Fancy

Each of these delightful breakfast muffins packs around 220 calories. The key health benefits are the fiber from the cranberries and some vitamins.

So there you have it! A foolproof recipe for utterly delicious cranberry muffins . Give this quick muffin recipe a go, experiment with the variations, and most importantly, have fun! You'll have everyone raving about your baking skills in no time!