Cranberry Muffins

5 from 6 votes

These simple old-fashioned cranberry muffins are a delicious make-ahead breakfast, cozy side dish with supper, or festive addition to your Thanksgiving or Christmas table.

Course Breakfast, Side Dish, Sides

Cuisine American

Keyword cranberry muffin recipe, cranberry muffins, fresh cranberry muffins

Prep Time 12

Cook Time 18

Cooling Time 15

Total Time 45

Servings muffins

Calories 208kcal

Author Blair Lonergan

Ingredients

2 ¼ cups (269 g) all-purpose flour
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
¾ teaspoon salt
¼ cup vegetable oil
¾ cup granulated sugar, plus additional 2 tablespoons for cranberries
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 teaspoons loosely packed orange zest (optional, if you want to prepare cranberry orange muffins)
½ cup (113 g) full-fat sour cream
1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries, cut larger cranberries in half
Optional topping: coarse sparkling sugar

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a standard 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners. Spritz the liners with nonstick spray; set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, use an electric mixer on low speed to combine the oil and ¾ cup of sugar. Increase the speed to medium-high and continue mixing for 2 more minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing to combine after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract, the optional orange zest (if using), and the sour cream until smooth. With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the dry ingredients. Mix just until the batter is thick and smooth; do not over-mix.
In a small bowl, toss together the cranberries and the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar so that all of the cranberries are coated. Using a spatula or wooden spoon, gently fold the cranberries into the batter.
Divide the batter evenly between the prepared muffin cups. Sprinkle tops with optional coarse sugar, if desired.
Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean.
Remove the muffins from the pan and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Video

Notes

There are so many ways to adapt this versatile recipe! From adding orange zest or nuts to chocolate chips and blueberries, you'll find all of my suggestions in the "Recipe Variations" section below.

Nutrition