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    Home ยป Recipes ยป Muffins

    Cranberry Muffins

    Updated: Nov 23, 2022 โ€ข Published: Nov 23, 2022 by Sam Merritt โ€ข 101 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure policy.
    Jump to Recipe
    collage of cranberry muffins, top image is a close up of muffin, bottom image of multiple muffins on gold cooling rack

    These soft and fluffy Cranberry Muffins are packed with tangy cranberries and bits of sweet white chocolate. They’re super simple to make and can be ready to enjoy in just 30 minutes!

    Cranberry muffins with sugared tops on a cooling rack.

    Fresh Cranberry Muffins

    These cranberry muffins are so soft and fluffy, and each is bite packed with an array of flavors, from warm notes of vanilla and surprise pops of tangy cranberry, to sweet bits of white chocolate.

    Today’s batter is adapted from my popular basic muffin recipe. I use this in many of my recipes, like my chocolate chip muffins, because, well, it works! It consistently produces a light, tender, soft crumb that complements just about any filling (and it took me months upon months to develop it, so I don’t feel bad making it pull its weight around here). It’s the perfect vehicle for tart fresh cranberries and mellow, slightly caramelized white chocolate

    The flavor of these muffins is sweet and tart, with juicy tart cranberries that are almost a pleasant shock against the sweet muffin crumb and white chocolate. Sugar on top gives that sugared cranberry effect, which is the perfect frosty crown to these festive muffins.

    Why you’ll love my recipe:

    • No mixer required.
    • Fast–just 15 minutes of prep before baking!
    • Uses my favorite technique for tall muffin tops.
    • Yields incredibly soft, fluffy, and flavorful cranberry muffins!

    What You Need

    Overhead view of ingredients including buttermilk, white chocolate, cranberries, and more.

    Mostly basic ingredients, let’s talk about a few of them:

    • Cranberries. We’re using fresh cranberries here for the most flavorful results. Frozen cranberries will work too; just add them into the batter (no need to thaw first!).
    • Egg + egg white. Just like my strawberry muffins, adding an extra egg white makes these cranberry muffins nice and fluffy.
    • Buttermilk. Buttermilk adds moisture and flavor to our muffins. While I highly recommend using the real thing for best results, my buttermilk substitute will work in a pinch.
    • Cornstarch. Cornstarch adds to the soft, tender texture of these cranberry muffins. One day I might just do a standalone post on the wonders of this seemingly simple ingredient and the magic it works in recipes, would that interest you?
    • White chocolate. You can use either chocolate chips or a chopped chocolate bar. I recommend using a higher quality chocolate for the best, tastiest results, as many white chocolate chips contain various ingredients that are a bit less than desirable. Sure, it helps the chips keep their shape, but we lose more than I’d like in flavor by going that route.

    SAM’S TIP: Your white chocolate chips/chunks may look a bit golden after baking–this isn’t just normal, it’s what we want! This simply means the chocolate caramelized in the oven, which honestly makes the flavor even better.

    Remember, this is just an overview of the ingredients I used and why. For the full recipe please scroll down to the bottom of the post!

    How to Make Cranberry Muffins

    cranberry muffin batter -- cranberries and white chocolate about to be stirred in
    1. Whisk together the butter, oil, sugar, egg, egg white, and vanilla, then stir in the buttermilk.
    2. Combine the dry ingredients in a separate bowl, then gradually add them to the wet ingredients and stir until about 50% combined. We want to avoid over-mixing the batter (as that would cause dense, dry muffins), so we’ll add our add-ins at this point.
    3. Add the cranberries and chocolate and finish stirring until fully combined.
    4. Divide the batter into your prepared pan and bake for 8 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature and bake for 7-8 more minutes. This is a tried-and-true method for creating light, fluffy muffins, more on that below!
    5. Let the muffins cool in the pan for 10 minutes before removing to a cooling rack to cool completely. I use a butter knife to gently pry them out of the pan.

    SAM’S TIP: Removing your cranberry muffins from the pan shortly after baking helps prevent soggy muffin liners. Speaking of, if you’re looking for that bakery effect you can always make your own parchment paper muffin liners!

    Muffin that's been bitten in half to show a fluffy texture and fresh cranberries.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I substitute dried cranberries for fresh?

    You can, but it’s not my favorite substitution. Dried cranberries are sweeter and much less tart than fresh. It’s not an even substitution either; you’ll need fewer dried cranberries than you would fresh or frozen (see the recipe notes below for a more exact amount).

    How can I make these into cranberry orange muffins?

    Adding some orange zest and a tiny splash of orange juice to the batter should do the trick. I’d say you’d need zest from 1-2 oranges to get the flavor you’re looking for!

    Why do you use two oven temperatures?

    As with my banana muffin recipe, we’re using two oven temperatures today to create tall, bakery-style muffin tops. Starting with a higher temperature causes the muffins to rise nicely, and then we’ll drop the temperature so the interior can cook evenly. If we stayed at the high temperature the whole time, the centers would dry out instead of being soft and fluffy.

    Muffins on a metal cooling rack surrounded by sugared cranberries.

    If you love these cranberry muffins, you should try my cranberry bundt cake!

    Enjoy!

    Let’s bake together! I’ll be walking you through all the steps in my written recipe below! If you try this recipe, be sure to tag me on Instagram, and you can also find me on YouTube and Facebook

    Cranberry muffins with sugared tops on a cooling rack.

    Cranberry Muffins

    These soft and fluffy cranberry muffins are packed with tangy cranberries and bits of sweet white chocolate. They're super simple to make and can be ready to enjoy in just 30 minutes!
    5 from 21 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Course: Breakfast, muffins
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Servings: 12 muffins
    Calories: 275kcal
    Author: Sam Merritt

    Ingredients

    • ¼ cup (57 g) unsalted butter melted and cooled (4 Tablespoons)
    • ¼ cup (60 ml) Avocado, vegetable or canola oil
    • 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
    • 1 large egg + 1 large egg white room temperature preferred
    • 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
    • ⅓ cup (118 ml) buttermilk room temperature preferred
    • 1 ¾ cup (218 g) all-purpose flour
    • 2 teaspoons baking powder
    • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 1 ½ cups (155 g) fresh cranberries
    • 1 cup (170 g) white chocolate chips or 6 oz white chocolate bar chopped
    • Additional granulated sugar for topping, optional

    Recommended Equipment

    • Muffin tin
    • Mixing bowls

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 425F (215C) and line a muffin tin with paper liners. Set aside.
    • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together butter, oil, sugar, egg, egg white, and vanilla extract until thoroughly combined.
      ¼ cup (57 g) unsalted butter, ¼ cup (60 ml) Avocado, vegetable or canola oil, 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar, 1 large egg + 1 large egg white, 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
    • Whisk in buttermilk.
      ⅓ cup (118 ml) buttermilk
    • In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, cornstarch, and salt.
      1 ¾ cup (218 g) all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 2 teaspoons cornstarch, ½ teaspoon salt
    • Gently, using a spatula, fold dry ingredients into wet until about 50% combined. Then, add cranberries and white chocolate and continue to gently stir until completely combined.
      1 ½ cups (155 g) fresh cranberries, 1 cup (170 g) white chocolate chips or 6 oz white chocolate bar
    • Evenly divide batter into prepared muffin tin (you can fill them to the top) and sprinkle tops with additional granulated sugar, if desired. For a taller rise, let muffins sit in the tin for 10-30 minutes before baking.
      Additional granulated sugar
    • Transfer muffins to center rack of oven and bake for 8 minutes on 425F (215C). Once 8 minutes has elapsed, do not open door, but reduce oven temperature to 350F (175C) and bake another 10-12 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with moist crumbs.
    • Allow muffins to cool in tin for 10 minutes before carefully removing to a cooling rack to cool completely. Enjoy!

    Notes

    Cranberries

    Fresh cranberries are best, rinse and dry them and pick out any bad berries before using.
    Frozen berries will also work, I add them to the batter frozen (without thawing first).
    Dried cranberries could also work, we recommend ¾-1 cup dried cranberries (some readers have soaked the dried berries in hot water to plump them up before using).

    Storing

    Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1muffin | Calories: 275kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 32mg | Sodium: 186mg | Potassium: 103mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 28g | Vitamin A: 185IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 109mg | Iron: 1mg

    Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.

    Tried this recipe? Show me on Instagram!Mention @SugarSpun_Sam or tag #sugarspunrun!

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    I originally published this recipe in 2015. I’ve updated it to make the muffins softer and fluffier and the method easier to follow.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Mary

      December 19, 2022 at 4:06 pm

      5 stars
      I’ve been making these for years using your original recipe…they’re fabulous! I’m curious though – the new recipe calls for 1 cup buttermilk, but the metric listing (118ml) is only the equivalent of a half cup. The old recipe called for 3/4 cup, so I’m wondering which measurement is correct after your edits? 50/50 odds are never in my favor and I’m a stickler about weighing ingredients! ๐Ÿคฃ Thanks for all the amazing recipes!

      Reply
      • Sam

        December 19, 2022 at 9:15 pm

        Hi Mary! Thank you for catching that and I apologize for the confusion! The metric measurement is correct and you will only need 1/2c of buttermilk or 118ml. I will make sure to update it. ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
      • Jody

        November 25, 2023 at 9:00 pm

        I just saw the review saying to use 1/2 cup buttermilk but I already made the muffins using 1/3 cup as the recipe states.
        was it supposed to be 1/2 cup? I did find the batter really thick and thought something was off.
        I wish I added orange or lemon zest to improve the flavour. They were just ok for me, I wouldn’t say great. I probably won’t use this recipe next time.

        Reply
        • Sam

          November 25, 2023 at 9:44 pm

          Hi Jody! You only need the 1/3 cup of buttermilk.

    2. Gem

      December 02, 2022 at 10:38 pm

      These cranberry muffins were absolutely delightful! They are moist, lightly sweetened, and as light as air. We love how the cranberries burst with every bite. Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful dessert! We plan to make them again for Christmas breakfast.

      Reply
      • Emily @ Sugar Spun Run

        December 05, 2022 at 9:06 am

        We are so happy you think so, Gem โค๏ธ Enjoy!

        Reply
    3. Rnays

      November 04, 2021 at 8:01 pm

      5 stars
      I made these and found them to be better the next day, after the glaze soaked in. Very moist and so delicious! Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Emily @ Sugar Spun Run

        November 05, 2021 at 10:25 am

        Great to hear! We’re so happy you liked them. Enjoy ๐Ÿ˜Š

        Reply
      • Jody

        November 25, 2023 at 9:06 pm

        glaze? I didnt see a glaze recipe for these ๐Ÿค”

        Reply
    4. Jen

      September 22, 2021 at 8:11 pm

      I am struggling to find frozen cranberries. Is there anything else that can be substituted? Iโ€™m thinking probably not since cranberries are kind of tart and the white chocolate probably helps to sweeten up that tartness. Just wondering what your thoughts are.

      Reply
      • Emily @ Sugar Spun Run

        September 23, 2021 at 10:55 am

        Hi Jen! You can substitute 3/4 dried cranberries in place of the frozen. We hope you love them! ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
    5. wendy

      September 19, 2021 at 5:06 pm

      Hi..I’m going to try these muffins later as I was given a load of shaved white chocolate and always have frozen cranberries on hand…can I get away with one egg only,no white??
      Also I saw cornstarch comments…why do you ad that to other recipes? Thanks.

      Reply
      • Emily @ Sugar Spun Run

        September 20, 2021 at 11:39 am

        Hi Wendy. We haven’t tried this, but your muffins likely won’t be as fluffy or rise the same without that extra egg white. We suggest using it. Cornstarch is our favorite “secret” ingredient in baked goods. It adds structure and fluffiness without drying things out, which would happen if you used more flour instead. This recipe is one of our older ones, and we may include corn starch in the updated version when that comes out!

        Reply
    6. Moira

      March 25, 2021 at 8:33 pm

      5 stars
      Hi. I found your recipe and didnโ€™t have any fresh or frozen cranberries but I did have dried. I soaked the dried ones in hot water to plump them up and to my delight the muffins baked up lovely. These are now my husbands favorite muffins. I would like to make them with fresh cranberries and I will when I buy some. Thank you for this recipe.Delicious!!

      Reply
      • Sam

        March 25, 2021 at 10:13 pm

        That is so awesome! I’m so glad you enjoyed them so much, Moira! ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
    7. Megan

      December 19, 2020 at 12:51 am

      Hi Sam! I was wondering if I could substitute the cranberries for raspberries and all the ingredients and measurements still work well together? Thanks in advance!

      Reply
      • Sam

        December 19, 2020 at 3:33 pm

        Yes, that will work, no other modifications needed! Enjoy!

        Reply
    8. Imre

      November 20, 2020 at 9:41 pm

      5 stars
      Hi!
      Love all your recipes, this one and the bagels especially!!! ๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ’–
      Could I make these as jumbo muffins? With a longer bake time?
      Thank you!

      Reply
      • Sam

        November 20, 2020 at 10:09 pm

        Hi Imre! That will work just fine. They will definitely need to bake a little bit longer. I would imagine the bake time would be very similar to my Bakery style chocolate chip muffins. ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
        • Imre

          November 20, 2020 at 11:29 pm

          5 stars
          Thank you!!! They turned out amazing๐Ÿคฉ 23 minutes did the trick.

        • Sam

          November 21, 2020 at 9:06 pm

          Wonderful, I’m so glad to hear it! Thanks for letting me know how they turned out! ๐Ÿ™‚

    9. Kim Baird

      April 25, 2020 at 4:00 am

      5 stars
      So amazing as are all the recipes. Hard to stop eating at 1. Fluffy, moist and delicious! Thank you!!!

      Reply
      • Sam

        April 25, 2020 at 1:16 pm

        Thank you so much, Kim! I am so glad you enjoyed the muffins so much! ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
    10. Lyn

      March 01, 2020 at 6:43 pm

      Iโ€™m curious why no corn starch? Just wondering why it is sometimes used (i.e. blueberry muffins) and not other times.

      Reply
      • Sam

        March 02, 2020 at 10:40 am

        It sometimes depends on the recipe. This muffin recipe was developed 5 years ago, though, before I unlocked the secret of cornstarch in baking. I’m happy with this recipe as it is written, but if I update it and re-publish I may end up working some cornstarch into the batter.

        Reply
    11. Rachel

      December 06, 2019 at 11:57 am

      Hi there! Can I use fresh cranberries instead of frozen ones?

      Reply
      • Sugar Spun Run

        December 06, 2019 at 12:08 pm

        Hi, Rachel! Yes, that will be fine. I hope that you enjoy the muffins! ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
    12. Brandy Reinecke

      October 09, 2019 at 10:08 pm

      Can you use dryed cranberries instead of frozen ones?

      Reply
      • Sugar Spun Run

        October 10, 2019 at 8:40 am

        Hello, Brandy! You can substitute with dried cranberries, however, I don’t recommend it. The juices from the cranberries really add a lot of flavor to the muffins. I hope that you enjoy the cranberry white chocolate muffins. ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
    13. Mary

      September 16, 2019 at 9:41 pm

      Is there baking soda missing in this recipe? Thank you.

      Reply
      • Sam

        September 17, 2019 at 9:21 am

        Nope, you will not need baking soda.

        Reply
    14. Brittany

      April 14, 2019 at 11:43 pm

      I think I did something wrong. The edges and bottom burned, but the chips didnโ€™t melt on the inside. It also came out kind of dense. ๐Ÿ˜ญ
      I tried the double chocolate chip and those were just wonderful.

      Reply
      • Sam

        April 15, 2019 at 9:55 pm

        Hi Brittany! The chocolate chips shouldn’t melt inside the cupcakes. In regards to the edges and bottom being burned, is your oven temperature accurate? It sounds like the temperature may have been a little higher than it should causing the edges to crisp up a little bit. I hope this helps. ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
    15. Kira

      January 06, 2019 at 2:01 pm

      Can these be made with dried cranberries instead?

      Reply
      • Sam

        January 06, 2019 at 2:32 pm

        Hi, Kira. That would work just fine. ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
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