Description
Cranberry orange pecan muffins sparkle with festive winter charm, blending tart fruit and nutty crunch. Warm spices and zesty citrus elevate these morning treats, inviting hearty bites of seasonal comfort.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups (260 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (100 grams) brown sugar, packed
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 grams) salt
Fruits and Nuts:
- 1 cup (100 grams) fresh cranberries (chopped if large)
- Zest of 1 orange
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) orange juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 cup (100 grams) pecans (chopped)
Wet Ingredients:
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) vegetable oil or melted butter
- 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the oven environment by heating to 375F (190C) and setting up a 12-cup muffin tin with protective paper liners or a light grease coating.
- Create a foundational dry mixture by thoroughly whisking flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt in a spacious mixing bowl.
- Gently incorporate chopped cranberries and pecans into the dry mixture, ensuring even distribution and light coating.
- Craft a vibrant wet component by blending orange zest, orange juice, eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until harmoniously combined.
- Merge wet and dry ingredients with a delicate touch, stirring minimally to prevent overmixing and maintain a tender texture.
- Distribute batter evenly across muffin cups, filling approximately two-thirds of each cavity. Optional: Garnish with additional pecans and turbinado sugar for enhanced visual appeal and crunch.
- Transfer the muffin tin to the preheated oven and bake for 18-22 minutes, monitoring until a toothpick emerges clean when inserted into the center of a muffin.
- Allow muffins to rest in the tin for 5 minutes, then transition to a wire rack for complete cooling and optimal texture development.
Notes
- Prevent cranberries from sinking by tossing them in a tablespoon of flour before adding to the batter, ensuring even distribution throughout the muffins.
- Swap out regular flour for gluten-free flour blend to make these muffins suitable for those with gluten sensitivities, maintaining the same delicious texture and flavor.
- Enhance the orange flavor by adding a simple orange glaze made with powdered sugar and fresh orange juice, drizzled over cooled muffins for an extra zesty kick.
- Reduce sugar content by using alternative sweeteners like honey or maple syrup, which can add depth and complexity to the muffins while cutting down on refined sugar.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg