Cranberry Muffins with Orange Glaze

These Cranberry Muffins with Orange Glaze are a perfect blend of tart cranberries and zesty orange, topped with a sweet citrus glaze. They make a delightful breakfast treat or snack for the holidays or any time of year!

Ingredients:

For the Muffins:

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp orange zest
• 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries (roughly chopped if using larger berries)

For the Orange Glaze:

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 2–3 tbsp fresh orange juice
• 1 tsp orange zest

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a muffin tin with paper liners or lightly grease it.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
3. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, melted butter, milk, vanilla extract, and orange zest.
4. Combine Wet and Dry:
   • Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
   • Fold in the chopped cranberries.
5. Fill Muffin Tin: Spoon the batter evenly into the muffin cups, filling each about 2/3 full.
6. Bake: Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. Allow the muffins to cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
7. Make the Orange Glaze:
   • In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, orange juice, and orange zest until smooth.
   • If the glaze is too thick, add a little more orange juice; if it’s too thin, add more powdered sugar.
8. Glaze the Muffins: Once the muffins have cooled completely, drizzle the orange glaze over the top of each muffin.

Tips for Extra Flavor:

• Frozen Cranberries: If using frozen cranberries, do not thaw them before adding to the batter, as they will bleed less and keep the muffins light and fresh.
• For a Streusel Topping: Before baking, sprinkle a simple streusel made of flour, sugar, and butter on top of the muffins for added texture and sweetness.
• Boost the Citrus: Add a bit of lemon zest to the batter for an extra citrus kick.

These Cranberry Muffins with Orange Glaze are wonderfully moist, tangy, and perfectly sweet. A fantastic way to brighten up any morning or add a festive touch to your holiday spread!