• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Free Bonus
  • About

Boulder Locavore logo

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Free Bonus
  • About
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • Recipes
    • Free Bonus
    • About
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
  • ร—
    Home ยป Recipes ยป Breakfast ยป Cranberry Orange Muffins with Walnuts

    PUBLISHED: December 14, 2020 โ€ข By Toni Dash 12 Comments

    Cranberry Orange Muffins with Walnuts

    Jump to Recipe

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    CRANBERRY ORANGE MUFFINS TITLE

    Cranberry Orange Muffins combine classic flavors in a soft, moist muffin. Full of sweet dried cranberries and walnuts, topped with a streusel topping and easy optional orange glaze.

    CRANBERRY ORANGE MUFFINS TITLE
    WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?
    Enter your email below and we’ll send the recipe straight to your inbox (and more recipes every week)!
    Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
    Loading

    CRANBERRY ORANGE MUFFINS TITLE

    These bright delicious flavors are the perfect way to start a day. Especially a chilly day!

    The flavors cut through the chill to offer a sweet, delicious homey breakfast recipe. 

    Enjoy them with your favorite cup of coffee, spicy chai, eggnog or juice.

    Add some breakfast sausages or bacon for a full meal. 

    Easy Cranberry Orange Muffins

    These muffins are fast and easy to make. The batter is mixed in one bowl and dished into a muffin pan.

    If you have a 12-cavity muffin pan the entire recipe bakes in about 20 minutes.

    Instead of using fresh tart cranberries or frozen cranberries, these muffins use sweet dried cranberries. 

    They don’t require extra sugar to offset the tart flavor. And they are available any time during the year so this isn’t just a Christmas muffin.

    cranberry orange muffins close up

    Recipe Ingredients + Notes

    All Purpose Flour. Regular or gluten-free measure-for-measure flour blend can be used. We’ve tested both! For the gluten-free version we use Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free 1-to-1 baking flour.

    Granulated Sugar and Light Brown Sugar. A combination of sugars is used in the muffin and brown sugar for the streusel topping.

    Baking Powder. Helps the muffins rise.

    Cinnamon. Adds homey flavor.

    Milk. We used whole milk (dairy). Other fat content milk can be substituted. We have not tried this recipe with plant milks but they should be fine.

    Vegetable Oil.

    Eggs. They bind the ingredients and give the muffins structure.

    Vanilla Extract. Gives great flavor.

    Orange Zest. The zest of the orange contains oils that deliver great flavor. Be sure not to zest any of the white pith under the outer skin which is very bitter.

    Walnuts. Buy walnuts already chopped for a time saver!

    Dried Cranberries. Dried cranberries are soft and delicious. More importantly they are available all year long, unlike fresh cranberries.

    This means you can make this muffin any time! Use sweetened dried cranberries.

    Unsalted Butter. Used to make the streusel topping and should be cold! Do not use room temperature butter.

    Optional Orange Glaze

    The muffins are delicious on their own with the homemade streusel topping.

    For an extra touch and bit more orange flavor we love this Fresh Orange Glaze. It’s borrowed from our Coffee Cake Muffins.

    The glaze adds just a little bit of glaze and doesn’t over power the delicate muffin flavor.

    For the glaze you’ll need these additional ingredients:

    Confectioner’s (powdered) Sugar

    freshly squeezed Orange Juice (use the orange zested for the muffins!)

    vanilla extract 

    zest from 1/2 an orange (optional)

    cranberry orange muffins overhead

    How to Make it – Step-by-Step

    STEP 1. Preparation.

    Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 12-cavity muffin pan with baking liners. Or a 6-cavity tin can be used twice allowing it to fully cool in between.

    NOTE: to keep the outer liner looking fresh and clean, using two baking liners may be used.

    STEP 2. Making the batter.

    In a large bowl whisk together the flour, sugars, baking powder and cinnamon.

    Add the wet ingredients to the flour mixture (dry ingredients): vegetable oil, eggs, milk, vanilla extract and orange zest. Beat on medium speed until the batter is shiny and smooth in texture.

    Gently fold in the cranberries and walnuts (photos 1 and 2).

    cranberry orange muffins recipe steps 1-4

    STEP 3. Add the batter to the muffin tin.

    Line the muffin cavities with baking liners (photo 3).

    Scoop the batter evenly between the 12 muffin cavities in the prepared pan (photo 4). 

    STEP 4. Prepare the streusel topping.

    In a small bowl combine the streusel topping ingredients. Cut together with a dough blender or dining knives to form a coarse sand texture.

    Sprinkle evenly over the tops of the muffin batter (photo 5).

    STEP 5. Bake the muffins.

    Bake for 18-22 minutes until the the muffins are done and a toothpick inserted comes out clean (photo 6).

    Cool in the pan for 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to completely cool before glazing (optional) or serving.

    cranberry orange muffins recipe steps 5-7

    Optional Fresh Orange Glaze

    If glazing the muffins, mix together all ingredients in a small bowl. 

    Place a rimmed baking sheet lined with foil underneath the wire cooling rack. See photo 7 for set up; these are Coffee Cake Muffins in the photo.

    Using a dining spoon dipped into the glaze, shake the spoon over the muffins to glaze.

    cranberry orange muffins liner removed

    Supplies

    Muffin Pan

    Baking Liners

    Large Cookie Scoop (optional). This makes adding the batter to the muffin cavities fast and less messy. This is the size I use for muffins.

    Zester. This is my favorite zester. It very quickly removes only the outer skin, never the bitter pith. It feels like zesting butter, it’s so smooth and easy.

    Cooling rack

    Recipe FAQ’s + Pro Tips

    Should dried cranberries be soaked before baking?

    Most dried sweetened cranberries are soft and do not need to be soaked or reconstituted before baking.

    Unlike raisins which can be hard and very dry, dried cranberries have a pleasant texture.

    For very plump you can soak them for 15 minutes in hot water (enough to cover them in a small bowl). Drain them well and add to the recipe.

    Are Craisins the same thing as dried cranberries?

    ‘Craisins’ is a brand from Ocean Spray, combining the words cranberries and raisins (because the cranberries are dried like raisins). 

    Craisins and dried cranberries are the same thing just from different companies.

    Are all dried cranberries sweetened?

    Most are sweetened and some add a bit of oil which helps them not stick together in the package.

    Not all dried cranberries are sweetened. Be sure to use sweetened dried cranberries for this recipe.

    Storing the Cranberry Muffins

    Allow the muffins to cool completely. Place a paper towel in the bottom of an airtight container.

    Add the muffins on top in a singer layer. Place another paper towel on top and seal the container.

    Store at room temperature for up to 4 days.

    Change the paper towels if they become damp (from absorbing excess moisture from the muffins).

    To freeze the muffins:

    Allow to cool completely. Wrap each individually with plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag. OR place individually in an airtight freezer safe container. Freeze for up to 2 month. 

    cranberry orange muffins multiple

    More Muffin Recipes You’ll Love!

    • Chocolate Chip Muffins
    • Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins
    • Zucchini Muffins
    • Morning Glory Muffins

    Dough Blender https://amzn.to/3mhznoe

    Did you make it? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!

    Please SUBSCRIBE and FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK , TWITTER , INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST !

    Recipe

    CRANBERRY ORANGE MUFFINS TITLE

    Cranberry Orange Muffins

    Soft, sweet easy to make muffins with classic cranberry and orange flavors. Homemade streusel and an optional orange glaze make these a breakfast favorite!
    5 from 11 votes
    Print Save Recipe Recipe Saved! Pin Rate
    Course: Breakfast
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 18 minutes minutes
    Cooling Time (estimate): 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 48 minutes minutes
    Servings: 12 muffins
    Calories: 299kcal
    Author: Toni Dash
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    Cranberry Muffins

    • 2 cups all purpose flour regular or gluten-free measure-for-measure flour blend
    • ¼ cup granulated sugar
    • ¼ cup brown sugar
    • 1 tablespoon baking powder
    • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
    • 1 cup milk
    • ¼ cup vegetable oil
    • 2 eggs
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • zest of 1 orange
    • ½ cup walnuts chopped
    • 3/4 cup dried cranberries

    Streusel Topping

    • ½ cup light brown sugar
    • ¼ cup all purpose flour regular or gluten-free measure-for-meaure flour blend
    • 4 tablespoon cold unsalted butter cut into small pieces
    • 1 teaspoon cinnamon

    Orange Glaze (optional)

    • 1/2 cup Confectioner's (powdered) sugar
    • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed orange juice
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • zest from 1/2 an orange optional

    Instructions

    Making the Muffins

    • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place baking liners in a muffin tin. NOTE: to ensure the outer liner is unsoiled using two liners per muffin can be added.
    • In a large bowl whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder and cinnamon.
    • Add the vegetable oil, eggs, milk, vanilla extract and orange zest; beat, on medium speed, for batter is shiny and smooth in texture (a few minutes).
    • Add the walnuts and cranberries and fold in to incorporate.
    • Divide the batter evenly between the muffin liners.

    Preparing the Streusel

    • Prepare the streusel. In a small bowl combine the sugar, flour and cinnamon. Work in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse sand using a dough blender or dining knives. Sprinkle over the muffins.
    • Bake muffins for 18 to 22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
    • Cool the muffins in the pan for 5 minutes then transfer to a wire cooling rack to fully cool.

    Making the Orange Glaze and glazing the muffins (optional)

    • If glazing the muffins prepare the glaze while the muffins cool. In a small bowl whisk together the glaze ingredients (confectioner's sugar, orange juice, vanilla extract and orange zest if using.
    • When the muffins have fully cooled, place a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet underneath the cooling rack.
      This allows excess glaze to pool in the pan underneath and not directly under the muffins which can make the liners soggy.
    • Dip a dining spoon into the glaze and shake it back and forth over a muffin for a light drizzle of glaze. Repeat with the remainder of glaze to glaze all the muffins. Let it until glaze sets.

    Notes

    Nutritional info includes the muffins and streusel topping, not the optional glaze.
    Storing the Muffins
    Line an airtight container with a paper towel. Place the completely cooled muffins in a single layer with a second paper towel on top. Seal and store at room temperature for up to 4 days.
    To freeze: cool completely and add to a freezer safe airtight container or freezer bag for up to 2 months. Muffins can be individually wrapped for easier access while in the freezer.
    Thaw and rewarm briefly in the microwave.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 299kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 39mg | Sodium: 25mg | Potassium: 200mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 189IU | Calcium: 94mg | Iron: 2mg
    CRANBERRY ORANGE MUFFINS TITLE
    WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?
    Enter your email below and we’ll send the recipe straight to your inbox (and more recipes every week)!
    Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
    Loading
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @boulderlocavore or tag #boulderlocavore!
    « How to Make Eggnog in an Instant Pot
    Easy Coffee Cake recipe (classic Coffee Cake) »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Cat says

      December 15, 2020 at 11:44 am

      5 stars
      Made these muffins for breakfast today and they were amazing!

      Reply
    « Older Comments
    5 from 11 votes

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Picture of Toni

    Welcome! Iโ€™m Toni Dash. Iโ€™m a Certified Nutrition Coach and the professional writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer and creator of Boulder Locavoreยฎ. Iโ€™m so glad you are here!

    More about me โ†’

    Featured on....

    BoulderLocavore.com Featured By Press

    Grilling Recipes

    • Ultimate Burger Grill Guide title photo with burgers on a charcoal grill Ultimate Burger Grill Guide: How to Grill the Perfect Burger
    • steak on grill with flames How to Grill Steak Perfectly: Everything You Need to Grill Like a Pro
    • grilled porterhouse steak title Perfect Porterhouse Steak on the Grill
    • Grilled Kabob Recipes on grate (titled image) Grilled Kabob Recipes: 20 Must Make Recipes for Summer
    • bruschetta chicken title image Bruschetta Chicken recipe โ€“ Baked, Grilled or Stove Top
    • Chicken Shish Kabobs title Easy Grilled Chicken Shish Kabobs

    TRENDING RIGHT NOW

    • Ultimate Burger Grill Guide title photo with burgers on a charcoal grill Ultimate Burger Grill Guide: How to Grill the Perfect Burger
    • How to Make Moist Homemade Shredded Chicken Breast title How to Make Moist Homemade Shredded Chicken Breast Recipe
    • Instant Pot Jambalaya Instant Pot Jambalaya Recipe: Quick & Easy Comfort Food
    • Sparkling Cranberry Vodka Punch Sparkling Cranberry Vodka Punch Recipe
    • homemade ketchup title image The Best Homemade Ketchup โ€“ Made with Fresh Tomatoes!
    • Instant Pot Smoked Paprika & Garlic Chicken Legs with lime wedges on a pewter platter Instant Pot Smoked Paprika & Garlic Chicken Legs

    Footer

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Pinterest
    • Instagram

    Contact | About | Privacy Policy | Disclosure Policy | Accessibility Statement | Cookie Policy


    SIGN ME UP to get FREE recipes directly to my inbox!

    Don't miss our TRAVEL SECTION!


    Copyright ยฉ 2010-2025 All Rights Reserved

    Boulder Locavore is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC associates program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

    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.