Combat the winter blues with these bright and fresh Cranberry Orange Muffins. A little sweet, a little tart and the perfect winter perk up!
Ok folks, it’s January. Can I hear a woot woot?!
Are you woot wooting?? Helloooo?? Crickets??
January get’s no love. The holidays always seem to fly by, then January rolls around like a big buzz kill. It’s cold, it’s dreary, it’s long. It doesn’t bring much to the table, except some pretty fluffy, white stuff which we haven’t even been getting around here. Just rain. It’s been going slower than slow. UGH!
Well, today I’m sharing one of my favorite ways to combat the wretched, chilly weather January has to offer. I always make these bright, fresh, citrusy Cranberry Orange Muffins. The cranberry orange flavor combination is a January favorite. I make these often during the winter because cranberries are such a wonderful winter fruit and anything citrus puts a big old smile on my face. Fresh grated orange zest, fresh cranberries and just about 30 minutes is all you need. You’ve got to give them a try. They’re like an instant mood changer. They’re a little sweet, a little tart and the perfect winter perk me up! Enjoy!!
And congratulations to Nancie Kachenmeister who was the winner of my Madeline Giveaway!! Thanks to everyone who entered!
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- 2 tsp. grated orange zest
- 1 cup plus 3 Tbsp. granulated sugar separated
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp. baking powder
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Grease muffin cups with nonstick cooking spray or line with paper muffin cups.
- In a small bowl, combine cranberries, orange zest and 3 Tbsp. granulated sugar. Set aside,
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream together butter and 1 cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition and scraping the bowl down as needed. Add vanilla extract.
- Fold 1/2 of flour mixture then 1/2 of milk and then repeat. Fold in cranberry mixture being careful not to overmix. Divide batter evenly into 12 muffin cups. Bake at 425 degrees for 5 minutes then lower the oven to 375 degrees and continue to bake for 20 minutes until they're golden brown on top, and a toothpick inserted into the middle of one of the center muffins comes out clean. Cool in pan for 5 minutes.
Aw, Mary Ann, thanks so much for helping me combat the winter blues with such a bright and flavorful muffin. I hate January. It’s been so dreary around here, I don’t think the sun’s been out in weeks. This looks like the perfect way to perk us up. Yum!
January is always sooo long Karen. I love February because it’s short and there’s Valentine’s Day, but January’s got nothin’! So anything citrus perks me up! Enjoy!
Beautiful! And yes, January needs the fresh flavours of citrus, for sure :) Love that you used fresh cranberries. I LOVE fresh cranberries in muffins, especially – the way they burst!
I totally agree Jennifer. Citrus flavors make January soooo much better! And some fluffy white stuff!
January doesn’t get much love, does it!? Well, it gets love on the first day, but it’s all down hill for January after that. People diet and get cranky, resolutions are made and broken, and the weather… ick! ;) January definitely needs these muffins, Mary Ann! Such a fabulous pick me up! You should call these ‘Mood Changing Muffins’. <3 LOVE the flavors, cranberry and orange is such a classic! Combined in some fluffy muffins?! YES PLEASE! I'll take a dozen. For breakfast. Pinned of course! Cheers!
No, it sure doesn’t Chey! I’ve always loved the cranberry orange combo in muffins and scones too! We could all use a perk me up and a little treat mid-January! Thanks for pinning Chey!
These look so delicious Mary Ann!!! The perfect pick-me-up on a winter day!! xo
Thanks Rebecca! Hope your January is going well!
Omg ever since I tasted Cranberry Orange muffins ate Starbucks, I am a big sucker for these. But they don’t seem to have it anymore. Guess it is time I made these at home.
So easy to make at home Jenny! Hope you enjoy!
I’m all for the white fluffy too and it’s bypassed us more often than I’d like. Portland got a ton of it! Us. Nothing. Dang it! But I’ll take a bit of sunshine with these bright and delicious muffins my dear! That flavor combo is one of my favorite this time of year, so I’ve been shoving oranges and cranberries in my smoothies daily! But this muffin would be SO comforting right now! Thank you for sharing my dear. I’m hoping you’ll get snow soon!
I love the fluffy white stuff too and I’m keeping my fingers crossed we get some soon actually! I love the orange cranberry combo! It’s always been a favorite!
I love the combination of orange and cranberry. It’s not only delicious but looks so pretty too. I would so love to grab one of those muffins off of the cooling rack and enjoy it with a cup of tea.
So do I Chris! Just the right amount of tartness and sweetness! Hope you enjoy these if you try!
I’ve been CRAVING muffins. Love this cranberry/orange version :)
They’re one of my favorite winter muffins Jennifer!
These look so yummy and easy to make- may do these tomorrow in our ice storm that we are expecting!
Perfect for a snow day Fiona! Happy New Year! Hope all is well!
One of my favorite flavor combos and these look so incredibly good!
Mine too Matt! Thanks!
I’ll give it a woot-woot! January needs love too! We’ve had snow all week until just today…we’ve got rain and all the snow has melted. Early spring? I don’t think so… But while we wait – we can munch on these delicious muffins! Love everything about them, Mary Ann! Pinned!
I think you may be the only person Annie!! You’re a sport! Thanks for pinning!
I adore cranberry orange muffins! These are the perfect treat to get us through January :)
Me too Laura! And cranberry orange scones too!
Now I know what to do do with my frozen cranberries. We had lots of rain and wind here in Santa Cruz. I am ready for some sunshine.
Yay! Hope you enjoy them Gerlinde!
Love this flavor combo and I would love to wake up to these tomorrow. yum!
A little citrus treat always does the trick mid-January!
These muffins are perfect for the cold winter months! Wish I had a couple for breakfast today – I’ll have to make a batch ;)
Get baking Megan! They’re delish!
Well, January is almost half over…..can you believe it?! We’ve had lots of snow, but it’s raining here today and we’re losing a lot of it. It’s dark out and these delicious beauties couldn’t come at a better time! I love the combo of cranberry and orange. So bright! Wishing I had some of these right now! Pinned! Have a great weekend! xo
We’ve finally got some sun here today Dawn! It’s been raining for days! UGH! Thanks so much for pinning! XO
January is definitely the pits, Mary Ann! I need to brighten up my days with some of these cranberry orange muffins! Congratulations to Nancie for winning that awesome giveaway!
I’m hoping to have a few more giveaways this year Rachelle!
Add a pinch of cinnamon too! Yum.
Great idea Jen! I love cinnamon!
January is a tough month. It’s cold, it’s snowy, there’s no big holiday….thank goodness for your muffins! I love cranberries and cranberry muffins are a great way to start the day! Thanks! :)
Maybe if there was a little holiday to break it up it might be better! Hope you enjoy these if you give them a go Kathy! Have a great week!
After 4 drought years, Los Angeles having a great winter – lots of rain and cold (for us days) – it’s such a welcome relief – so I have to say for yay for January! And yay for these delicious muffins – love the orange and cranberry combo – one of my favorites, Mary Ann!
Yay for the rain then Geraldine! I know you all need it out there. One of my favorite flavor combos too. Have a great week! XO
Mary, I have a question. In your recipe instructions you mention using a stand mixer with a paddle. I don’t have a stand mixer but was wondering if It’s necessary or can I use a portable hand mixer? Thanks. I just found your blog from another blog site I visit… love your recipes & photos!
You never have to use a stand mixer when I mention that in a recipe Trish. You can always mix by hand vigorously. I bet you’d really enjoy these. I love the cranberry orange combination!
Thank you Mary Ann for responding back so soon. I thought it would be ok to use my hand mixer which has a paddle attachment but wanted to double check. I plan on making a taste test batch soon for my household (husband/me) and then make for friends. I love your site and a LOT of your recipes… going to be keeping me busy. Also, I love your muffin pan shown in the recipe directions.
Anytime Trish! I’m so happy you enjoy the blog! I purchased that pan from a local antique shop. I love it too! Happy Sunday!