Home » Baking » Muffin » Cranberry Orange Muffins

Cranberry Orange Muffins

The Cranberry Orange Muffins are absolutely delicious. The Turbinado sugar topping takes these muffins to the next level.

cranberry orange muffins

My wife asked me to try and make the Cranberry Orange Muffins she gets at Panera and this is what I came up with.

muffin batter ready for the oven

I typically would call this a copycat recipe but I took more liberties than I usually do and didn’t think it was right to label this recipe a Panera copycat recipe. Nothing wrong with these cranberry orange muffins at all, just not a true copycat recipe.

muffins fresh out of the oven

To make a turbinado sugar substitute: Blend half brown sugar and half white sugar to replace the full amount of turbinado sugar.

turbinado sugar

For one, I used a regular muffin pan instead of the jumbo kind Panera uses. I used dried cranberries while Panera uses fresh cranberries so I am told. I know it doesn’t sound like much but to me it is.

cranberry orange muffins

If you don’t have Buttermilk on hand, you can use this trick as a substitute: Add one tablespoon of lemon juice to a measuring cup. Add milk and fill to the 1 cup measurement line. Stir the mixture together and let sit for 5 minutes. Since this recipe calls for 1/2 cup you will need to adjust accordingly.

cultured buttermilk blend

Another option is to use a cultured buttermilk blend. All you need to do is add water. I was very skeptical at first but in a pinch it works great!

cranberry orange muffins

These muffins tend to bake pretty quickly so I suggest you start checking for doneness around the 18-20 minute mark. If a toothpick comes out clean then you know you can safely pull it from the oven.

cranberry orange muffins

As you all know I pride myself on publishing recipes that use simple ingredients and realize that the Turbinado may not be considered a simple ingredient that everyone has on hand but do yourself a favor a get yourself a small bag. You won’t regret it.

cranberry orange muffins

You will need the following ingredients to make this Cranberry Orange Muffins recipe (see recipe card for quantities): All Purpose Flour, Cornstarch, Baking Powder, Baking Soda, Salt, Vegetable Oil, White Sugar, Eggs, Vanilla Extract, Buttermilk, Orange Zest, Dried Cranberries and Turbinado Sugar.

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a muffin pan with paper liners. Set aside.
  2. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, mix together the oil and sugar until well combined. Mix in the eggs one at a time then mix in the vanilla extract.
  4. Alternate adding the flour mixture and the buttermilk to the large mixing bowl with the oil and sugar mixing after each addition.
  5. Fold in the fresh orange zest and dried cranberries. Fill each muffin liner with the batter. Sprinkle the turbinado sugar on top of each muffin.
  6. Bake the muffins for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean.
  7. Let the muffins cool slightly, then move the muffins to a wire rack to cool completely.
cranberry orange muffins

Cranberry Orange Muffins

The Cranberry Orange Muffins are absolutely delicious. The Turbinado sugar topping takes these muffins to the next level.
5 from 5 votes
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course Muffins
Cuisine American
Servings 12 muffins
Calories 257 kcal

Equipment

  • Bowl for Mixing
  • Muffin Pan

Ingredients
 

  • 1 ½ Cups All Purpose Flour
  • 1 Tbsp Cornstarch
  • 1 ½ Tsp Baking Powder
  • ½ Tsp Baking Soda
  • ½ Tsp Salt
  • ½ Cup Vegetable Oil
  • â…” Cup White Sugar
  • 2 large Eggs
  • 1 Tsp Vanilla Extract
  • ½ Cup Buttermilk
  • 2 Tsp Orange Zest
  • 1 ½ Cups Dried Cranberries, divided
  • 2 Tbsp Turbinado Sugar

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a muffin pan with paper liners. Set aside.
  • In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
    1 1/2 Cups All Purpose Flour, 1 Tbsp Cornstarch, 1 1/2 Tsp Baking Powder, 1/2 Tsp Baking Soda, 1/2 Tsp Salt
  • In a large mixing bowl, mix together the oil and sugar until well combined. Mix in the eggs one at a time then mix in the vanilla extract.
    1/2 Cup Vegetable Oil, 2/3 Cup White Sugar, 2 large Eggs, 1 Tsp Vanilla Extract
  • Alternate adding the flour mixture and the buttermilk to the large mixing bowl with the oil and sugar mixing after each addition.
    1/2 Cup Buttermilk
  • Fold in the fresh orange zest and dried cranberries. Fill each muffin liner with the batter. Sprinkle the turbinado sugar on top of each muffin.
    2 Tsp Orange Zest, 1 1/2 Cups Dried Cranberries, 2 Tbsp Turbinado Sugar
  • Bake the muffins for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and toothpick comes out clean.
  • Let the muffins cool slightly, then move the muffins to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

If you don’t have Buttermilk on hand, you can use this trick as a substitute: Add one tablespoon of lemon juice to a measuring cup. Add milk and fill to the 1 cup measurement line. Stir the mixture together and let sit for 5 minutes. Since this recipe calls for 1/2 cup you will need to adjust accordingly.

Nutrition

Calories: 257kcalCarbohydrates: 39gProtein: 3gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 32mgSodium: 167mgPotassium: 102mgFiber: 1gSugar: 25gVitamin A: 63IUVitamin C: 0.5mgCalcium: 43mgIron: 1mg

Nutritional information provided for this recipe is based on 1 serving. This information is an estimate and may vary based on several factors. If nutritional information is important to you and your diet, please verify this recipe with a Registered Dietitian.

Tried this Recipe?Leave a Comment below and share a picture on Instagram and tag @hot_rods_recipes and hashtag #hotrodsrecipes!

Similar Posts

2 Comments

  1. Made these today. Wonderful…Cranberry/orange anything is my favorite and these hit the mark. Thanks!!

  2. These muffins are very moist. I love cranberries in any form and I love oranges, so this recipe was a no brainer. Even on the second day they were still very moist.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating:




Before a comment appears it needs to be approved by the site owner. Read our Comment Policy to see how your comment data is processed. Your email address will NOT be published.