Description
Wake up to the magic of Christmas morning with these delightful Cranberry Muffins with Orange Glaze. Each bite is bursting with tart cranberries, bright orange zest, and a crumbly streusel topping, perfectly balanced with a sweet citrus glaze. These muffins are easy to make and the perfect way to bring festive cheer to your breakfast table.
Ingredients
For the Streusel Topping:
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons softened butter or margarine
For the Muffins:
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- 2/3 cup milk
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
- 1 cup fresh cranberries (whole or coarsely chopped)
For the Orange Glaze:
- 1/3 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 2 1/2 teaspoons orange juice
Instructions
1. Prepare the Streusel Topping:
- In a small bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
- Add the softened butter and mix with a fork or your fingers until the mixture forms coarse crumbs. Set aside.
2. Preheat and Prepare:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Grease a 12-cup muffin tin or line it with paper liners.
3. Make the Muffin Batter:
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, beat the egg. Stir in milk, vegetable oil, and orange zest.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently mix until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
- Fold in the cranberries.
4. Assemble the Muffins:
- Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups, filling each about 2/3 full.
- Sprinkle the prepared streusel topping evenly over the muffins.
5. Bake the Muffins:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
- Allow the muffins to cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
6. Add the Orange Glaze:
- In a small bowl, whisk together confectioners’ sugar and orange juice until smooth.
- Drizzle the glaze over the cooled muffins.
7. Serve and Enjoy:
- Serve the muffins warm or at room temperature. They’re perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a festive snack.
Notes
- Make Ahead: Bake the muffins a day in advance and store in an airtight container. Add the glaze just before serving.
- Fresh or Frozen Cranberries: You can use either, but if using frozen cranberries, do not thaw them before adding to the batter.
- Gluten-Free Option: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking mix for a celiac-friendly version.
- Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat in the oven for a freshly baked feel.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American