Delicious and easy Glazed Cranberry Orange Muffins are made with fresh cranberries, orange zest, and have a sweet orange glaze over them. Perfect for breakfast or brunch.
Cranberry Orange Muffins are a simple and delicious muffin that’s easy to make and is a great way to use up leftover cranberries. Make these for the holidays or anytime you want a treat!
What to do with Leftover Cranberries
Got leftover cranberries? Then you definitely need to make this recipe. Cranberry Orange Muffins are a great use of leftover cranberries from the holidays.
Also, don’t worry about this muffin being tart or sour. The sweetness of the orange juice and sugar balance out the cranberry perfectly. Also, you’ll find that this is a great muffin to have on hand for brunches or a quick weekday breakfast.
Moreover, muffins are great to have in the refrigerator or freezer at all times. They make a great snack and are perfect to eat on the go. Personally, these Cranberry Orange Muffins are almost always in my fridge after the holidays. It’s the perfect use for leftover cranberries from Thanksgiving!
Cranberry Orange Muffins are great to entertain with as well. Moreover, they are elegant enough to serve at a baby shower or bridal shower brunch, or to have for Easter or Christmas.
How to Make Cranberry Orange Muffins
This simple muffin is quick to put together. Firstly, you need to grease a standard muffin pan with cooking spray.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients. Then, in a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together using a handheld mixer. Next, add in the orange juice, milk, egg, and orange zest and blend. Note that the mixture will look lumpy.
Lastly, add in the flour and stir until combined. Fold in the cranberries and then scoop the batter into the prepared muffin pan.
I like to use a muffin scoop to ensure even doneness. Chill on a cooling rack before adding glaze.
Simple Orange Glaze
This simple orange glaze is a great addition to your cranberry orange muffins. It takes seconds to put together and makes the muffins extra special.
All you need is powdered sugar and orange juice. Just simply whisk together and spoon over top of the cooled muffins… that’s it!
Love muffins? Then, be sure to check out my delicious Tropical Muffins, made with bananas, coconut, and pineapple, and my super moist and easy to make Pumpkin Muffins.
If you are in the market for a new muffin tin, be sure to check out my favorite AmazonBasics Nonstick Carbon Steel Muffin Pan – 2-Pack.
Tips for Making Cranberry Orange Muffins
- If your cranberries are frozen, microwave them for a minute then roughly chop using a sharp knife. Or you can leave them whole for a tart bite, delicious!
- If you are looking for a tarter muffin, omit the milk and use orange juice instead.
- Note that the glaze makes enough to lightly drizzle over the dozen muffins. If you want a heavier glaze, double the amount of powdered sugar and orange juice you use.
- Be sure to test doneness of the muffins using a toothpick as the color of the muffin doesn’t change much when baking.
- Apply the glaze when the muffins are cooled so it adheres better.
- Make-ahead Cranberry Orange Muffins and freeze in an airtight container for up to two months.
Cranberry Orange Muffins
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup sugar
- ½ cup butter, softened
- ½ cup orange juice
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 orange, zested (about a tablespoon of zest)
- 1 cup fresh cranberries, roughly diced or whole
Glaze
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoon orange juice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a muffin tin with muffin liners or spray with cooking spray, set aside.
![spray muffin tin with cooking spray.]()
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar. Add in the orange juice, milk, egg, and zest and beat to combine. (Mixture will be lumpy) Stir in the dry ingredients. Fold in the cranberries.
![batter for cranberry orange muffins.]()
- Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin tin. Bake for 18-20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the muffin comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack.
![batter in muffin tin for cranberry orange muffins.]()
- To make the glaze, whisk together the powdered sugar and orange juice, adding more or less juice until desired consistency is reached. Drizzle overtop of cooled muffins.
![Cranberry orange muffins with glaze on the side.]()
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Notes
Yum! These look so delicious and tasty! I can’t wait to make these!
Cranberry and orange! What an wonderful, sweet and tangy combination. They must taste like Cosmopolitan cocktails 🙂 Lovely recipe, thank you!
I am a cranberry lover. This is my kind of muffin. Would be great with my morning coffee.
This will be the perfect recipe for “big breakfast Sunday” this weekend! My son was just asking me to make some muffins, but didn’t want the ones I already have recipes for.
My kids couldn’t stop eating these muffins! They are so good!
I love cranberries and I had some on hand so I gave these muffins a try. Delish is what they are! Easy, moist, and just enough cranberry flavor. Great recipe!
Oh perfect for Christmas and they look heavenly! Bookmarking this recipe
You’re going to love them!
I made these Cranberry Orange Muffins, and they flew off the office desk in no time. I literally was astonished at how fast 2 batches went poof! These were excellent, and I will be making them again—this time 3 batches lol!! One is staying at home.
I love everything about these muffins! The cranberry and orange flavors are perfect for this time of year!
These really are so simple – and just a perfect flavor profile for the holidays! A decadent little treat to start the day or even for an afternoon snack, snuggled alongside a warm cup of coffee or holiday tea!