Cranberry Orange Muffins

4.80 from 25 votes

Made with tart cranberries, fresh squeezed orange juice and bright orange zest folded into a wonderfully moist, rich sour cream batter.

Prep Time15

Cook Time20

Total Time35

Course: Breakfast, Brunch

Cuisine: American

Keyword: breakfast,, brunch,, muffin

Servings: Muffins

Calories: 180kcal

Author: Tricia

Ingredients

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour (334g)
½ teaspoon salt
2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon baking soda
¾ cup granulated sugar (170g)
1 cup sour cream (8 ounces)
½ cup unsalted butter melted and cooled slightly (113g or 8 tablespoons)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon orange zest about 1 large orange
¼ cup fresh squeezed orange juice about 1 large orange
2 large eggs lightly beaten
2 cups cranberries rinsed and dried
coarse sugar for sprinkling on top

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease 18 muffin cups or cupcake liners with vegetable cooking spray. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl whisk together the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda and sugar. Make a well in the center.
In a small mixing bowl combine the sour cream, melted butter, vanilla, orange zest, orange juice and eggs. For together with a spatula until blended. Pour the sour cream mixture into the flour mixture. Fold together with the spatula until the dry ingredients are just moistened. Gently fold in the cranberries. Divide the batter between the 18 muffin wells or paper liners. Allow the unbaked muffins to rest at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before baking.
Sprinkle the tops of the unbaked muffins with coarse sugar, if desired. Bake at 400F for 16-20 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool the muffins in the pan on a rack for 5 minutes, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve slightly warm if desired.
If desired, drizzle with an orange glaze just before serving. Mix together 1/2 cup powdered sugar with the juice of 1/2 an orange and whisk until smooth. Drizzle over muffins and serve.

Notes

These muffins are best served the day they are made but keep well a day or two in an airtight container at room temperature.
For best results, only drizzle icing on those that will be consumed immediately.
Substitute frozen cranberries for fresh if desired. Allow the cranberries to thaw for about an hour at room temperature.

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. When multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.

Nutrition