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To make delicious cranberry orange streusel muffins, you need the following ingredients: - 2 cups all-purpose flour - 1 cup fresh cranberries, chopped - 1 cup granulated sugar - 1 tablespoon baking powder - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted - 2 large eggs - 1/2 cup orange juice (freshly squeezed) - Zest of 1 orange - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract These ingredients create a base that is both moist and flavorful. The fresh cranberries give a nice tartness, while the orange juice and zest add brightness. For the crunchy streusel topping, gather these ingredients: - 1/2 cup rolled oats - 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed - 1/4 cup all-purpose flour - 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened To prepare the streusel, mix the rolled oats, brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon in a bowl. Then, add the softened butter. Use your fingers to mix until it looks crumbly. This topping adds a sweet, crunchy layer to your muffins. It contrasts beautifully with the moist muffin base. {{ingredient_image_1}} First, you need to preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This helps the muffins rise perfectly. Next, line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease it lightly. This step ensures your muffins come out easily. Now, let's mix the dry ingredients. In a large bowl, whisk together: - 2 cups all-purpose flour - 1 cup granulated sugar - 1 tablespoon baking powder - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon Make sure everything is well mixed. This helps the muffins rise and taste great. In another bowl, whisk together your wet ingredients. You will need: - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted - 2 large eggs - 1/2 cup orange juice (freshly squeezed) - Zest of 1 orange - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Mix these until smooth. The butter adds richness, while the orange juice gives a fresh taste. The zest adds extra flavor, making your muffins bright and lively. Now, pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir just until combined. Be careful not to overmix. This keeps your muffins light and fluffy. Next, gently fold in 1 cup of chopped fresh cranberries. Make sure they are evenly spread throughout the batter. This will give each muffin a burst of flavor when you bite into it. For the final step, divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups. Fill each cup about 2/3 full. This allows room for the muffins to rise. After that, sprinkle the streusel topping generously over each muffin. This adds a delightful crunch. Now, you're ready to bake! To make the best Cranberry Orange Streusel Muffins, avoid overmixing the batter. When you mix too much, the muffins can turn out tough. Stir the wet and dry ingredients just until they blend. This keeps your muffins light and fluffy. Next, ensure even distribution of cranberries. When you fold in the chopped cranberries, do it gently. This helps spread them throughout the batter. You want each muffin to have a burst of tart cranberry flavor. For the best results, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This temperature helps the muffins rise nicely. Bake them for about 20 to 25 minutes. The tops should look golden brown and slightly firm. To check for doneness, insert a toothpick in the center of a muffin. If it comes out clean, your muffins are ready. If there’s wet batter on the toothpick, bake for a few more minutes. This method ensures perfectly cooked muffins every time. Pro Tips Fresh Cranberries: Use fresh cranberries for the best flavor, but if they're not available, frozen cranberries can be used—just toss them in flour before adding to the batter to prevent them from sinking. Don't Overmix: Mix the batter just until combined to keep your muffins light and fluffy. Overmixing can lead to dense muffins. Customize Your Streusel: Add nuts or spices like nutmeg to your streusel topping for an extra layer of flavor and texture. Storage Tips: Store leftover muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze them for longer storage. Reheat in the oven for a warm treat! {{image_2}} You can easily change the taste of your cranberry orange streusel muffins. Here are a few ideas: - Adding nuts or chocolate chips: Try mixing in 1/2 cup of chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans. They give the muffins a nice crunch and richness. If you love chocolate, add 1/2 cup of chocolate chips. They melt and create a sweet surprise in every bite. - Substituting other fruits: You can swap cranberries for other fruits. Blueberries, raspberries, or diced apples work well. Each fruit brings its own flavor and texture, making your muffins unique every time. If you have dietary needs, you can still enjoy these muffins. - Gluten-free options: To make gluten-free muffins, use 2 cups of gluten-free flour instead of all-purpose flour. Check that your baking powder is also gluten-free. This way, you can enjoy these muffins without worry. - Vegan alternatives: For a vegan twist, replace the eggs with flax eggs. Mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 2.5 tablespoons of water for each egg. Use a plant-based butter instead of regular butter. You can also choose almond milk or any nut milk in place of orange juice for a new flavor. These variations and adjustments let you create muffins that fit your taste and dietary needs. Enjoy your baking adventure! Store your cranberry orange streusel muffins at room temperature. Place them in an airtight container. This keeps them fresh for about three days. If you live in a warm area, the fridge is better. Refrigeration can help them last up to a week. Just remember, cold muffins may lose some moisture. To freeze your muffins, start by letting them cool completely. Wrap each muffin in plastic wrap. Then, place them in a freezer-safe bag. Squeeze out as much air as you can. This helps prevent freezer burn. You can freeze them for up to three months. When you're ready to eat one, take it out and thaw it. Leave it on the counter for a few hours. You can also reheat it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes. This makes them taste fresh and warm again! Can I use frozen cranberries? Yes, you can use frozen cranberries. Just make sure to chop them before adding to your batter. If they are still frozen, they may add extra moisture. You might need to bake the muffins a bit longer. How long do these muffins last? These muffins stay fresh for about three days at room temperature. Store them in an airtight container. If you want them to last longer, you can refrigerate them for up to a week. Can I make mini muffins instead? Absolutely! Mini muffins are a great idea. Just adjust the baking time to about 12-15 minutes. Keep an eye on them, so they don’t overbake. Enjoy your tasty bites! This blog post covered how to make delicious cranberry orange streusel muffins. We discussed the main ingredients needed and the steps to prepare the batter and topping. You learned tips for baking and variations to try based on your taste. I encourage you to experiment with flavors and adjustments to make this recipe your own. Enjoy your baking journey!

Cranberry Orange Streusel Muffins

Delicious muffins with a tart cranberry and citrus flavor, topped with a crunchy streusel.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 200 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup fresh cranberries, chopped
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon baking soda
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt
  • 0.5 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 large eggs
  • 0.5 cup orange juice (freshly squeezed)
  • 1 unit zest of 1 orange
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 0.5 cup rolled oats
  • 0.33 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 0.25 cup all-purpose flour
  • 0.5 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 0.25 cup unsalted butter, softened

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease it lightly.
  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
  • In another bowl, mix the melted butter, eggs, orange juice, orange zest, and vanilla extract until well combined.
  • Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir just until combined, being careful not to overmix.
  • Gently fold in the chopped cranberries until evenly distributed in the batter.
  • For the streusel topping, combine the rolled oats, brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon in a bowl. Mix in the softened butter until crumbly.
  • Divide the muffin batter evenly among the 12 muffin cups, filling each cup about 2/3 full.
  • Sprinkle the streusel topping generously over each muffin.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  • Once baked, allow the muffins to cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Serve these muffins warm, garnished with fresh cranberries and orange zest.
Keyword breakfast, cranberry, muffins, orange