Are you craving a delicious and easy treat that's perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon snack? Look no further! These cranberry nut muffins are bursting with festive flavors and are surprisingly simple to make. Whether you're a seasoned baker or a kitchen novice, this recipe will guide you to homemade happiness. Get ready to enjoy the warm, comforting aroma of these delightful muffins filling your kitchen! This recipe is perfect for adding to your collection of easy recipes and healthy meals.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (or a mix!)
- ½ cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)
Instructions:
Step 1: Preheat & Prep
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease it well. This step ensures your muffins bake evenly and release easily.
Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. This is a crucial step for ensuring a light and fluffy texture in your muffins.
Step 3: Cream Butter & Sugar
In a separate bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. You can use an electric mixer for this step to save time and effort.
Step 4: Add Wet Ingredients
Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract. Adding the eggs gradually helps to incorporate them properly into the batter.
Step 5: Combine Wet & Dry
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are okay. Overmixing can lead to tough muffins.
Step 6: Fold in Cranberries & Nuts
Gently fold in the cranberries and nuts. Folding, rather than stirring vigorously, helps to preserve the shape of the cranberries and nuts.
Step 7: Fill Muffin Cups
Fill each muffin cup about ¾ full. This prevents overflow during baking.
Step 8: Bake
Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Baking time may vary depending on your oven.
Step 9: Cool & Enjoy
Let the muffins cool in the tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy your warm, delicious cranberry nut muffins!
Tips for the Best Cranberry Nut Muffins:
- Don't overmix the batter: Overmixing develops gluten, resulting in tough muffins.
- Use fresh cranberries: Fresh cranberries offer a brighter flavor than frozen ones. If using frozen, don't thaw them.
- Room temperature ingredients: Using softened butter and room-temperature eggs ensures proper emulsification.
- Check for doneness: Start checking for doneness at 18 minutes to avoid overbaking.
Variations:
- Chocolate Cranberry Nut Muffins: Add ½ cup of chocolate chips to the batter.
- Citrus Cranberry Nut Muffins: Add the zest of one orange or lemon to the batter.
- Spiced Cranberry Nut Muffins: Add ½ teaspoon of cinnamon and ¼ teaspoon of nutmeg to the dry ingredients.
Nutritional Information (per muffin, approximate):
- Calories: Approximately 250
- Fat: 12g
- Protein: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Sugar: 15g
These delicious cranberry nut muffins are a perfect addition to any meal, a quick breakfast or a delightful snack. They are easy to make, healthy, and incredibly flavorful – making them a great addition to your repertoire of quick dinner ideas and best recipes. Enjoy!