Print

Christmas Muffins with Orange, Cranberries, and Chocolate Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 131 reviews

Delight in these festive Christmas muffins, bursting with warm spices, zesty orange, luscious chocolate chunks, and tangy dried cranberries. Perfectly moist and topped with a light orange glaze and a sprinkle of pearl sugar, these muffins make a cheerful holiday treat that’s easy to bake and sure to impress.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 125g unsalted butter
  • 250g self-raising flour
  • 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
  • 200g golden caster sugar
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • ¼ freshly grated nutmeg
  • 150g natural yogurt
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 medium eggs
  • 1 orange, zested and juiced
  • 150g chocolate (white, milk or dark), chopped
  • 50g dried cranberries

For the Topping

  • 50g icing sugar
  • 2 tbsp pearl sugar (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Tray: Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan)/gas mark 4. Line a 12-hole muffin tray with paper muffin cases to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
  2. Melt Butter: Melt the unsalted butter gently either in the microwave or in a small pan over low heat. Set it aside to cool for about 10 minutes to prevent cooking the eggs when combined later.
  3. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the self-raising flour, bicarbonate of soda, golden caster sugar, cinnamon, freshly grated nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. Mixing these dry ingredients well ensures even flavor distribution.
  4. Combine Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the cooled melted butter, natural yogurt, vanilla extract, eggs, and the orange zest. This creates a creamy, flavorful mixture that will keep the muffins moist.
  5. Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Pour the wet ingredient mixture into the bowl of dry ingredients. Add the chopped chocolate and dried cranberries. Gently fold everything together until just combined, taking care not to overmix. The batter should be uniform with no visible pockets of flour.
  6. Fill Muffin Cases and Bake: Spoon the batter evenly into the prepared muffin cases. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes or until the muffins have risen and turned golden brown. Check doneness by inserting a cocktail stick into the center of a middle muffin; if it comes out clean, they are done. If batter sticks, bake for an additional 5 minutes and re-test.
  7. Cool Muffins: Once baked, remove the muffins from the oven and allow them to cool in the tray for at least 10 minutes to firm up slightly.
  8. Prepare Orange Glaze: Mix the icing sugar with enough freshly squeezed orange juice to create a loose, brushable icing. This glaze adds moisture and a bright citrus finish.
  9. Glaze and Garnish: Brush the orange glaze generously over the warm muffins. Sprinkle with pearl sugar if using for an extra festive crunch and sparkle.
  10. Final Cooling and Storage: Let the muffins cool completely before serving. Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 2 months for longer preservation.

Notes

  • Use freshly grated nutmeg for the best flavor impact.
  • Choose your preferred type of chocolate—white, milk, or dark—to customize sweetness and richness.
  • Be careful not to overmix the batter to avoid dense muffins.
  • The orange glaze is optional but adds lovely brightness and moisture.
  • These muffins freeze well. Wrap individually in cling film before placing in a freezer bag.
  • For a gluten-free version, substitute self-raising flour with a gluten-free flour blend that includes raising agents.

Keywords: Christmas muffins, holiday baking, spiced muffins, orange chocolate muffins, festive treats, cranberry muffins, cinnamon nutmeg muffins

Find it online: https://zestywithzane.com/christmas-muffins-with-orange-cranberries-and-chocolate-recipe/