Soft and buttery Cranberry Orange Muffins are quick and easy. This delicious muffin is perfect for gran-and-go breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon snack.
Baking bread for the Holidays is such a special thing for me. When I think about a holiday bread, I am not going fruitcake. It’s good for a nanosecond and then I am over it. No, I want soft and buttery Cranberry Orange Muffins. These muffins are just as good for breakfast as they are with my Thanksgiving turkey or Christmas goose. O.k. I have never had a Christmas goose, but you get the idea.
I found this recipe baked as a beautiful loaf of cranberry walnut bread. However, I knew that we wouldn’t be able to get through all of it before it was no longer edible. I turned it into muffins. Muffins are wonderful for breakfast or brunch, and they can be put in the freezer and taken out as you need them. I love making them for company because they’re just a special treat that says you appreciate the people at your table.
One of the things that I have learned about making muffins is that they turn out better if I mix them by hand. Over mixed bakery can be tough, or you can have little tunnels throughout the crumb. That’s from over mixing.
This recipe called for butter, cut into small pieces and then stirred into the dry ingredients. I treated this like I do my pie crust. I cut my butter into pea-sized pieces, and then just dropped them into my dry ingredients, coating them, not blending it in. The wet ingredients are stirred only until they are incorporated, and I gently folded my orange and cranberries into the batter.
Heavens people, these muffins are buttery soft and delicious. They are perfect for breakfast, brunch or any occasion. Take them to work over the holidays and you may get a raise! Freeze them and pull them out when you want a special treat.
If you like cranberries like I love cranberries, here are a couple more of my favorite recipes!
Cranberry Upside-Down Cake Recipe
Cranberry Vanilla Baked Donuts
Pork Chops with Cranberry Thyme Sauce
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Sally T
Saturday 30th of May 2020
I love cranberries. Add a little butter to a warm muffin (or two?)
Christine | Mid-Life Croissant
Saturday 12th of December 2015
Gah, Julie. So sorry for the delay in visiting! These are beautiful. I have been so tempted by cranberries this season! A fruit I usually ignore completely due to memories of them just being so bitter. Time to give them another try. Thanks for joining us at #SaucySatudays
Julie Menghini
Saturday 12th of December 2015
Thank you Christine! Give those cranberries another try!
Shari
Monday 7th of December 2015
P.S. Your pictures are so pretty!
Julie Menghini
Monday 7th of December 2015
Thank you! I must admit that I was pretty excited about it too. I think the following day I couldn't get a single good pic. There are days....
Shari
Monday 7th of December 2015
These look like they would just melt in your mouth! I love the combination of flavors. They would be perfect for Christmas morning. Thanks for sharing them, Julie, and also the tips for not overstirring.
Julie Menghini
Monday 7th of December 2015
Thank you Shari! I always read about not over mixing, but I learned in my bread class that the worm tunnels are from over mixing. These muffins would absolutely be perfect for Xmas morning!
Liz @ spades, spatulas, and spoons
Saturday 5th of December 2015
Hi Julie, the combination of cranberries and orange is so delicious. I think I saw that bread recipe as well and wondered if it would make good muffins. Thanks for bringing them to FF. I would love one with a cup of tea.
Julie Menghini
Saturday 5th of December 2015
Thank you Liz! They are so delicious. Thank you for hosting this week! Hope the remodel is going well!