Description
These Cranberry Cream Cheese Muffins are ultra moist and bursting with fresh cranberries, orange zest, and creamy richness. Finished with a sweet glaze, they’re perfect for breakfast or holiday treats.
Ingredients
- For the Muffins:
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
- 2 teaspoons orange zest
- For the Icing:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons cold milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease or line a muffin tin with paper cups and set aside.
- In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter, cream cheese, and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla and almond extracts.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until moistened. Do not overmix.
- Fold in the cranberries and orange zest.
- Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups, filling each about 3/4 full.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, until golden and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Let cool for 5 minutes in the pan, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar and cold milk until smooth. Drizzle icing over cooled muffins.
- Store muffins in an airtight container. Enjoy!
Notes
- If using frozen cranberries, do not thaw before adding to the batter to prevent color bleeding.
- Almond extract enhances the flavor but can be omitted if preferred.
- Use freshly grated orange zest for the best flavor.
- Muffins taste even better the next day after flavors meld.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 muffin
- Calories: 222
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 110mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
