Christmas Morning Cranberry Muffins

Christmas Morning Cranberry Muffins Recipe

Preparation time: 15 minutes | Cooking time: 20 minutes | Servings: 12

Introduction

Christmas Morning Cranberry Muffins are a delightful and festive treat to enjoy on a cozy holiday morning. These muffins are bursting with the tart and sweet flavors of cranberries, making them the perfect addition to your Christmas breakfast spread.

History

Cranberries have long been a staple ingredient in holiday baking, and these muffins are a delicious way to incorporate them into your Christmas menu. The combination of cranberries, orange juice, and warm spices like cinnamon and allspice creates a flavor profile that is both comforting and festive.

Ingredients

1 cup cranberries
0.25 cup sugar
1.5 cups flour
0.25 cup sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
0.5 tsp cinnamon
0.25 tsp allspice
1 beaten egg
0.25 tsp orange rind
0.75 cup orange juice
0.33 cup melted butter or margarine
0.25 cup chopped nuts

How to prepare

Coarsely chop the cranberries, sprinkle them with 0.25 cup of sugar, and set them aside.
Preheat the oven to 375°F and prepare the pans.
Combine the flour, the second measure of sugar, the baking powder, the salt, the cinnamon, and the allspice in a bowl.
In another bowl, combine the egg, the orange rind, the orange juice, and the melted butter.
Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture and stir until moistened.
Fold in the cranberry mixture and the nuts.
Spoon the mixture into the pans and bake for 15 – 20 minutes or until golden.

Variations

For a healthier option, you can substitute whole wheat flour for all or part of the white flour in this recipe.
Add a handful of white chocolate chips or dried cranberries for an extra burst of sweetness.
Swap out the nuts for a different variety, such as pecans or almonds.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Be sure to chop the cranberries coarsely to ensure that they are evenly distributed throughout the muffins.

- Mixing the wet and dry ingredients separately before combining them will help ensure that the muffins have a light and fluffy texture.

- Do not overmix the batter, as this can result in tough muffins. Stir until just moistened.

- For an extra burst of flavor, consider adding a sprinkle of orange zest on top of the muffins before baking.

Serving Suggestions

Serve these muffins warm with a pat of butter or a drizzle of honey for a delicious breakfast treat. They also pair well with a cup of hot coffee or tea.

Cooking Techniques

Baking these muffins at a high temperature (375°F) ensures that they rise properly and develop a golden crust on top.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you don't have fresh cranberries on hand, you can use frozen cranberries instead. Just be sure to thaw them before chopping and using in the recipe.

Make Ahead Tips

You can prepare the batter for these muffins the night before and store it in the refrigerator. In the morning, simply scoop the batter into the muffin pans and bake as directed.

Presentation Ideas

Sprinkle the tops of the muffins with a dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of icing for a festive touch. You can also garnish with a few whole cranberries for a pop of color.

Pairing Recommendations

These muffins pair well with a variety of breakfast dishes, such as scrambled eggs, bacon, or fresh fruit salad. They also make a great accompaniment to a holiday brunch spread.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store any leftover muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply pop them in the microwave for a few seconds or warm them in a low oven.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

Each serving of Christmas Morning Cranberry Muffins contains approximately 200 calories.

Carbohydrates

Each serving of Christmas Morning Cranberry Muffins contains approximately 25 grams of carbohydrates.

Fats

Each serving of Christmas Morning Cranberry Muffins contains approximately 10 grams of fat.

Proteins

Each serving of Christmas Morning Cranberry Muffins contains approximately 3 grams of protein.

Vitamins and minerals

Cranberries are a good source of vitamin C and dietary fiber, making these muffins a nutritious choice for your holiday breakfast.

Alergens

These muffins contain nuts and eggs. Please be mindful of any allergies when serving.

Summary

Christmas Morning Cranberry Muffins are a delicious and festive treat that is relatively low in calories and provides a good source of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.

Summary

Christmas Morning Cranberry Muffins are a delicious and festive addition to your holiday breakfast table. Bursting with the flavors of cranberries, orange juice, and warm spices, these muffins are sure to become a new Christmas morning tradition for your family. Enjoy!

How did I get this recipe?

I recall the feeling of curiosity that overcame me when I found this recipe for Christmas Morning Cranberry Muffins. It was a cold winter day, and I was rummaging through my old recipe box, looking for something special to make for my family's holiday breakfast. As I flipped through the yellowed index cards and newspaper clippings, my eyes landed on a faded piece of paper tucked in the back of the box. The title at the top read "Christmas Morning Cranberry Muffins", and I knew I had stumbled upon something truly magical.

I traced my fingers over the wrinkled paper, feeling the memories flood back to me. I remembered the day I had acquired this recipe, many years ago, from my dear friend Margaret. Margaret was an elderly woman who lived down the street from me when I was a young girl. She was a master in the kitchen, and I would often visit her to watch her cook and learn from her wisdom.

One chilly December morning, I knocked on Margaret's door, hoping to spend some time with her and perhaps learn a new recipe. As always, she welcomed me with open arms and invited me into her cozy kitchen. The smell of cinnamon and nutmeg filled the air, and I knew I was in for a treat.

Margaret was busy preparing a batch of cranberry muffins, and I watched in awe as she expertly measured out the ingredients and mixed them together with a gentle hand. She explained each step to me, her voice soft and soothing like a lullaby.

As the muffins baked in the oven, Margaret regaled me with stories of her own childhood Christmases and the traditions she had passed down to her own family. She spoke of the importance of sharing food with loved ones and the joy that came from creating something with your own hands.

When the muffins were golden brown and fragrant, Margaret pulled them out of the oven and placed them on a cooling rack. She handed me one to try, and as I took my first bite, I knew I had found something truly special. The tartness of the cranberries combined with the warmth of the spices was a symphony of flavors that danced on my tongue.

I begged Margaret for the recipe, and she kindly obliged, writing it out for me on a scrap of paper and handing it to me with a smile. She told me to cherish it and pass it down to future generations, just as she had done with her own family.

And so, that Christmas morning, I made Margaret's cranberry muffins for my own family. As they sat around the table, savoring each bite and laughing and sharing stories, I knew that I had found not just a recipe, but a piece of my own history.

Over the years, I have made these muffins countless times, tweaking the recipe here and there to make it my own. But the magic of that day with Margaret still lingers in each batch I bake, filling my home with love and warmth.

As I look back on that chilly December morning, I am grateful for the gift of Margaret's friendship and the joy of discovering something new in the most unexpected of places. And as I pass this recipe down to my own grandchildren, I hope they too will feel the same sense of wonder and connection that I do every time I bake these Christmas Morning Cranberry Muffins.