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Mini Cranberry Orange Muffins Recipe

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3.9 from 7 reviews

These Mini Cranberry Orange Muffins are delightful bite-sized treats bursting with the zesty flavor of fresh orange and the tart sweetness of dried cranberries. Perfect for a quick breakfast or snack, they combine warm pumpkin pie spice with a tender crumb baked to golden perfection.

  • Author: Chef
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 24 mini muffins
  • Category: Baking
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1½ tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • ¼ tsp baking soda
  • ¼ tsp Kosher salt

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 egg
  • ½ cup buttermilk
  • ¼ cup canola or vegetable oil
  • ½ tsp pure vanilla extract
  • Minced zest of 1 orange

Sweeteners and Fruit

  • ½ cup granulated sugar (divided)
  • ½ cup minced dried cranberries
  • Sparkling or granulated sugar (for topping)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C) and line mini muffin pans with paper liners to prepare for baking.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda, and Kosher salt until evenly combined.
  3. Combine Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the egg, buttermilk, ¼ cup of the granulated sugar, canola or vegetable oil, pure vanilla extract, and the minced orange zest until smooth.
  4. Combine Wet and Dry: Stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients gently until just combined to avoid overmixing and ensure tender muffins.
  5. Prepare Cranberries: Toss the minced dried cranberries with the remaining ¼ cup granulated sugar to coat them evenly, then fold them carefully into the muffin batter.
  6. Scoop Batter: Using a #60 scoop or about a scant tablespoon, fill each muffin liner with the batter. Sprinkle the tops lightly with sparkling or granulated sugar for a crisp, sweet finish.
  7. Bake Muffins: Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving.

Notes

  • Using paper liners makes cleanup easier and prevents sticking.
  • For extra tartness, substitute fresh cranberries if available, but expect a moister muffin.
  • Make sure not to overmix the batter to keep muffins tender and avoid toughness.
  • Orange zest adds a fresh citrus aroma that complements the cranberries beautifully.
  • Sparkling sugar on top adds a nice crunchy texture and makes the muffins visually appealing.

Find it online: https://cheftinaskitchen.com/mini-cranberry-orange-muffins-recipe/