Cranberry Orange Muffins with Sour Cream

Soft, fluffy and moist, these Cranberry Orange Muffins with Sour Cream are bursting with cranberry orange flavor and are a delight to have on a holiday breakfast table or for a muffin snack anytime.

this recipe!

Orange cranberry muffins holiday favorites

We always love to have a few varieties of muffins on our Christmas breakfast table and these bakery style cranberry orange muffins are definitely one of our holiday favorites.

We used Ocean Spray cranberries to make Ocean Spray cranberry muffins but you can use any fresh cranberries to make cranberry muffins fresh from your local grocery store.

Is there anything that cranberry pairs better with than with orange recipes? Orange and cranberry is one of the perfect holiday season classic combinations that you can enjoy.

These cranberry and orange muffins are loaded with tart cranberry flavor in every bite which is perfectly balanced with the sweet orange flavor from the orange zest and orange juice glaze. The sour cream adds another layer of moisture to make these the best moist cranberry & orange muffins you have ever tasted!

I feel that if you have ever tasted a Starbucks orange cranberry muffins, these muffins have a much better bursts of flavor with a very moist cake like texture that are hard to resist anytime with a cup of coffee.

We often refer to them as Christmas cranberry orange muffins but you can call them cranberry muffins or just orange muffins. This delightful bright cranberry flavoured orange combination treat, is underrated to enjoy anytime of the year.

These muffins freeze well to make ahead and they're great to have on hand when company pops by or for a quick snack.

I also have my Starbucks copycat cranberry orange scones, a holiday cranberry orange loaf, cranberry orange shortbread and of course a holiday table must have, easy cranberry sauce.

Why you'll love this holiday muffin recipe

• Easy to make dried cranberry muffin recipe
• Perfect for holiday breakfast or brunch
• Cranberry pairs perfectly with orange in these ultra moist muffins

Ingredients for cranberry orange muffins recipe

• Butter - use butter softened at room temperature. Take it out of the refrigerator 30 to 60 minutes before you start the recipe.
• Granulated Sugar
• Brown Sugar - I use light brown sugar for this recipe. It adds wonderful flavor to these muffins.
• Eggs - use large eggs at room temperature. Take them out of the refrigerator 30 to 60 minutes before you begin the recipe.
• Sour Cream - full fat
• Vanilla extract - I always like to use pure vanilla extract for the best flavor in muffins.
• All purpose flour
• Baking powder, baking soda, salt
• Orange juice & zest - fresh orange adds flavor and moisture to these muffins.
• Milk - I used 1% milk
• Fresh cranberries
• Glaze: powdered sugar, orange juice and orange zest

Substitutions for the recipe for orange cranberry muffins

You may also substitute the milk in the recipe with 2% or whole milk.

Light sour cream or Greek yogurt are good substitutes for full fat sour cream for a 1:1 ratio in this recipe.

Can I use frozen cranberries or dried cranberries?

Yes you can! Use frozen cranberries by adding them to the batter frozen and baking for an extra two to three minutes.

Cranberry orange muffins with dried cranberries by using a 1:1 ratio for the dried cranberries in the orange cranberry muffins recipe.

Step by Step Instructions for hot to make cranberry orange muffins with orange glaze

Below, I've added a few visual aids for your to follow, as well as step by step instructions. The full recipe card with ingredients and instructions is located at the bottom of the page.

In a large bowl, whisk together all purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
Complete the next few steps by hand.

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing by hand.

 Stir in the orange juice and milk by hand.

Fold in the cranberries by hand.

Spoon batter into prepared muffin pan, filling to the top.  Top with a few of the reserved cranberries, if desired.
Bake in 425°F oven for 5 minutes.  Without opening the oven door, lower the oven temperature to 350°F and bake for an additional 18 to 22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. (Total cooking time should be about 23 to 25 minutes).
Transfer muffins to wire cooling rack.

Prepare the orange glaze:  In a small mixing bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, orange juice and orange zest. You may need to adjust and add a little more powdered sugar or orange juice until you reach a smooth glaze that you can drizzle from a fork. Drizzle over warm muffins.

Variations for recipe orange cranberry muffins

You can add your favorite chocolate chips like milk, semi sweet or dark chips to this cranberry muffin recipe with orange glaze.

Can I add nuts like walnuts or pecans to this orange cranberry muffin recipe?

Yes you can! You can make cranberry orange walnut muffins by adding ½ chopped walnuts to this muffins cranberry recipe.

To make a cranberry orange pecan muffins add ½ cup of chopped of pecans to this jumbo orange cranberry muffins recipe.

How to make cranberry orange muffins with streusel topping?

You can make a this cranberry muffin with a delicious streusel topping.

If you want to make cranberry orange mini muffins use a mini muffin or mini cupcake pan and reduce the cooking time by a couple of minutes.

Oatmeal orange cranberry muffins is another good recipe to try as orange cranberry oat muffins.

A terrific gluten free version for cranberry orange muffins gluten free for those who enjoy them.

Vegan orange cranberry muffins is another good recipe link for cranberry orange muffins vegan.

Top tips for making the best cranberry orange muffins

• Use room temperature butter and eggs for best baking results
• Fold the cranberries in gently by hand when mixing
• You may need to adjust and add a little more powdered sugar or orange juice to the glaze until you reach a smooth glaze that you can drizzle with a fork
• Save some cranberries to press into the top of the muffins before baking
• If you use frozen cranberries add 2 to 3 minutes to the cooking time
• Using a smaller muffin tin you can make regular size cranberry orange muffins and reduce the cooking time by 1 or 2 minutes

Cranberry orange muffins calories

This bakery style cranberry orange muffin recipe will have 640 calories. The calories will vary by the size you make them and any variation you use.

Storage and freezing instructions for easy orange cranberry muffins

How to keep my cranberry & orange muffins soft and moist?

Stored cooled muffins in an airtight container for 2 days to help keep them soft and moist. To store beyond the 2 days store in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 more days.

Can I freeze cranberry orange muffins?

Yes you can! Use a freezer-safe container with parchment paper in between muffin layers in the freezer for 2 to 3 months.

Thaw at room temperature or in the fridge before serving.

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Fresh Cranberry Banana Bread

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Raspberry and White Chocolate Loaf

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