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Cranberry Orange Muffins With Streusel Topping

Cranberry Orange Muffins With Streusel Topping

Cranberry Orange Muffins With Streusel Topping are a delightful breakfast treat combining the tartness of fresh cranberries, the bright zest of orange, and a buttery, crunchy streusel topping. These moist and tender muffins with a golden streusel finish are perfect for morning gatherings or a cozy weekend snack, offering a vibrant flavor and satisfying texture with simple, wholesome ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale

Muffin Batter

  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 3/4 cup buttermilk
  • 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups fresh cranberries

Streusel Topping

  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1/4 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Streusel: Begin by mixing the cold butter, brown sugar, and flour in a bowl until the mixture forms coarse crumbs. Set this aside in the refrigerator while preparing the batter, ensuring it stays cool and crumbly to achieve the perfect crunchy topping.
  2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This distributes the leavening agents evenly and promotes a consistent rise in the muffins.
  3. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat the softened butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar until creamy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Incorporate the buttermilk, orange juice, orange zest, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and fragrant.
  4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined to avoid overmixing. Carefully fold in the fresh cranberries, distributing them evenly without crushing to maintain their texture.
  5. Fill Muffin Cups and Add Streusel: Divide the batter evenly into a greased or lined muffin tin. Sprinkle a generous amount of the chilled streusel topping over each muffin to create a sweet, crunchy finish.
  6. Bake to Perfection: Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the streusel topping is golden and crisp.

Notes

  • Use fresh cranberries for better texture and tartness; if using frozen, thaw and drain well.
  • Do not overmix the batter to avoid dense muffins; fold ingredients gently until just combined.
  • Keep the streusel ingredients cold before baking to ensure a crumbly, crunchy texture.
  • Use room temperature eggs and butter for smooth batter blending and even rising.
  • Start checking muffins for doneness around 20 minutes to prevent overbaking and drying out.

Nutrition

Keywords: cranberry muffins, orange muffins, streusel topping, breakfast muffins, berry muffins, citrus muffins