Cranberry Nut Muffins Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 2/3 cup buttermilk (or substitute with 2/3 cup milk mixed with 2 teaspoons lemon juice or white vinegar, let sit for 5 minutes)
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries, coarsely chopped
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (such as walnuts or pecans), optional
- Zest of 1 orange, optional
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a muffin tin with paper liners or grease them lightly.
- Prepare the dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
- Prepare the wet ingredients: In a separate medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the melted butter, buttermilk, lightly beaten eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are okay.
- Fold in cranberries and nuts: Gently fold in the chopped cranberries and chopped nuts (if using) until evenly distributed throughout the batter. Optionally, you can also fold in the orange zest for added flavor.
- Fill the muffin cups: Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full.
- Bake: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
- Cool: Remove the muffin tin from the oven and let the muffins cool in the tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Serve: Once cooled, serve the cranberry nut muffins and enjoy! They are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as a snack.
These muffins are bursting with tart cranberries and crunchy nuts, making them a delightful treat any time of day. Enjoy!