This post may contain affiliate links.
Orange Cranberry Muffins are perfect for a cozy breakfast, a quick snack, or even as a sweet treat. The combination of tart cranberries and the sweet, citrusy orange is just heavenly.
Today, I’m super excited to share one of my absolute favorite recipes with you – Orange Cranberry Muffins! These muffins are like a burst of sunshine on a plate.
Want a simple make-ahead breakfast? These make a delicious treat that can be stored for later. This is a cranberry orange muffins recipe for the ages!
Make sure you save the recipe card for later. I know how frustrating it can be when you find a recipe for good muffins and you can’t remember where you found it later on!
These tender cranberry muffins are so tasty you’ll have to watch out. If you’re not paying attention, they tend to disappear before you know it!
I know this from personal experience, haha! I’ve got a daughter and a husband who pound these things like there is no tomorrow.
You’ll love the bright citrus flavor of these muffins. It’s a great recipe for cranberry season, which truly is one of my favorite times of the year.
Making these orange cranberry muffins is super simple, and the best part is that your kitchen will smell amazing while they bake! So, let’s get baking and fill our homes with the aroma of these delightful treats.
Some of our other favorite muffin recipes we have on our site include: Fresh Banana Cream Cheese Muffins Recipe, Gingerbread Muffins, and Easy Nutella Muffins Recipe (Stuffed Chocolate Muffin).
WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
- Bright Flavors: The combination of orange and cranberry creates a perfect balance of tart and sweet to these bakery-style muffins.
- Crowd-Pleaser: They’re a hit at family gatherings, holiday brunches, or school events. The sweet orange and cream cheese glaze makes these muffins absolutely irresistible!
- Beautiful Presentation: The vibrant colors of the cranberries and orange make these muffins seriously great to look at. Homemade muffins are always one of my favorite things to decorate my counter with!
INGREDIENTS NEEDED (SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR THE FULL RECIPE CARD):
- All-purpose flour
- Granulated sugar
- Baking powder
- Fine sea salt
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Whole milk
- Large eggs
- Unsalted butter
- Orange zest
- Freshly squeezed orange juice
- Milk
- Vanilla extract
- Fresh cranberries (or frozen)
- White chocolate chips
- Coarse sugar (optional)
HOW TO MAKE ORANGE CRANBERRY MUFFINS:
- Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line 12-count muffin tins with paper liners, or spray them with baking spray, set aside.
- In a medium bowl stir together the dry ingredients – flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the oil and brown sugar until combined.
- Add the eggs and whisk until smooth.
- Add the sour cream and whisk until smooth.
- Add the orange zest, orange juice, milk, and vanilla, and whisk until smooth.
- Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and stir it until just combined with no dry patches.
- Add the cranberries and white chocolate chips and fold them in.
- Divide the muffin batter among the prepared muffin cups.
- Sprinkle the coarse sugar on top of the muffins if using.
- Bake at 425°F for 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to 350°F and bake for an additional 16-18 minutes until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out mostly clean.
- Let the muffins cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then carefully take them out and let them cool completely on a wire rack.
- While the muffins are cooling, make the glaze. Mix together the cream cheese and white chocolate in a medium-sized bowl.
- Slowly add in the powdered sugar until fully combined and smooth; the mixture will be thick.
- Add the milk and stir until smooth; if you find it is too thick to drizzle, add a little more milk.
- Drizzle the glaze on top of the muffins and serve warm, or allow them to cool completely to set the glaze.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RECIPE:
DO THESE TASTE LIKE STARBUCKS CRANBERRY BLISS BARS?
Yes and no. These muffins capture the delightful combination of cranberry and orange found in Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars.
However, they have their own unique twist. While the Cranberry Bliss Bars are more of a bar-cookie with a cream cheese frosting, these muffins are soft and fluffy with a creamy glaze.
So, you get a similar flavor profile but in a different, equally delicious form!
CAN I ADD A DIFFERENT GLAZE?
Absolutely! While the cream cheese and white chocolate glaze pairs beautifully with these muffins, you can definitely experiment with other glazes.
A simple orange glaze made with orange juice and powdered sugar would amplify the citrus notes.
Or, try a classic vanilla glaze for a more traditional taste. Feel free to get creative with this easy muffin recipe!
CAN I USE DRIED CRANBERRIES INSTEAD?
Yes, dried cranberries can be used in place of fresh or frozen ones. They will give a slightly different texture and a more concentrated sweetness.
If using dried cranberries, you might want to soak them in warm water for about 10 minutes to plump them up before adding them to the batter. This step is optional but helps to soften them and bring out more of their delicious flavor.
ANY ADDITIONS?
- Nuts (like walnuts or almonds)
- Lemon zest for an extra citrus kick
- A sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg
- Drizzle of caramel on top
- Swap cranberries for blueberries or raspberries
- Add a crumble topping before baking
- Chocolate chips for extra sweetness
- Orange marmalade mixed into the batter
- Swap white chocolate chips with dark or milk chocolate
- Sprinkle of oat flakes for texture
ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?
- Swap all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour
- Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream
- Replace vegetable oil with applesauce for a healthier option
- Use honey or maple syrup instead of brown sugar
- Substitute egg with a flax egg for a vegan option
- Use almond milk instead of regular milk
HOW TO STORE:
Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. Since they are glazed with cream cheese, they do need to be kept refrigerated.
However, they are best enjoyed at room temperature, so allow them to sit on the counter before enjoying.
Freezer: Wrap them individually and freeze for up to 3 months.
DANA’S TIPS AND TRICKS:
- Don’t overmix the batter to keep your muffins light and fluffy.
- Use fresh orange juice and zest for the best flavor.
- Let the muffins cool before adding the glaze for the perfect finish.
- Check the muffins a couple of minutes before the timer to avoid over-baking.
- Use a toothpick to test doneness – it should come out mostly clean. Be aware, those juicy cranberries can throw you off!
- Experiment with toppings and additions to find your favorite combination!
These Orange Cranberry Muffins are not just a treat but a celebration in every bite. Whether it’s a lazy weekend morning or a special gathering, these muffins will surely bring smiles and warmth to your table.
So, go ahead, bake a batch, and watch these little delights disappear!
If you like this recipe, you might also like:
If you’ve tried this ORANGE CRANBERRY MUFFINS, let me know how it turned out in the comments! You can follow me over on PINTEREST, INSTAGRAM OR FACEBOOK to find some more of our mouthwatering recipes!
Orange Cranberry Muffins Recipe (Cranberry Bliss Flavor)
Ingredients
For the muffins:
- 1 & 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 1 tablespoon orange juice fresh squeezed
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 & 1/4 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon coarse sugar optional
For the glaze:
- 2 ounces cream cheese softened
- 2 tablespoons melted white chocolate
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line 12-count muffin tins with paper liners, or spray them with baking spray, set aside.
- In a medium bowl stir together the dry ingredients – flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.1 & 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt
- In a large bowl, whisk together the oil and brown sugar until combined.1/2 cup vegetable oil, 3/4 cup light brown sugar
- Add the eggs and whisk until smooth.2 large eggs
- Add the sour cream and whisk until smooth.1/2 cup sour cream
- Add the orange zest, orange juice, milk, and vanilla, and whisk until smooth.1 tablespoon orange zest, 1 tablespoon orange juice, 1 tablespoon milk, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and stir it until just combined with no dry patches.
- Add the cranberries and white chocolate chips and fold them in.1 & 1/4 cups fresh or frozen cranberries, 1 cup white chocolate chips
- Divide the muffin batter among the prepared muffin cups.
- Sprinkle the coarse sugar on top of the muffins if using.1 tablespoon coarse sugar
- Bake at 425°F for 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to 350°F and bake for an additional 16-18 minutes until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out mostly clean.
- Let the muffins cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then carefully take them out and let them cool completely on a wire rack.
- While the muffins are cooling, make the glaze. Mix together the cream cheese and white chocolate in a medium-sized bowl.2 ounces cream cheese, 2 tablespoons melted white chocolate
- Slowly add in the powdered sugar until fully combined and smooth; the mixture will be thick.½ cup powdered sugar
- Add the milk and stir until smooth; if you find it is too thick to drizzle, add a little more milk.1 tablespoon milk
- Drizzle the glaze on top of the muffins and serve warm, or allow them to cool completely to set the glaze.
Notes
- Don’t overmix the batter to keep your muffins light and fluffy.
- Use fresh orange juice and zest for the best flavor.
- Let the muffins cool before adding the glaze for the perfect finish.
- Check the muffins a couple of minutes before the timer to avoid over-baking.
- Use a toothpick to test doneness – it should come out mostly clean. Be aware, those juicy cranberries can throw you off!
- Experiment with toppings and additions to find your favorite combination!
Nutrition
Love This Recipe?
Follow @ThisSillyGirlsKitchen on Instagram and @danadevolk on Pinterest for more!
