Recipe for Cranberry Muffins

Cranberries always remind me of Christmas, so I make sure to include a few baked goods with them as an ingredient. I love the tartness of them balanced with sweetness. Muffins are quick and easy to make, and you can even make these ahead and pop them in the microwave to heat up.

 

Recipe for Cranberry Muffins

Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup fresh cranberries
2/3 cup milk
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg, lightly beaten

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl; stir well with a whisk. Stir in cranberries; make a well in center of mixture. Combine milk, butter, rind, vanilla, and egg; add to flour mixture, stirring just until moist. Spoon batter into 12 muffin cups coated with cooking spray. Bake at 400° for 18 minutes or until muffins spring back when touched lightly in center. Remove muffins from pan immediately; place on a wire rack.

Makes 12 muffins.

Christmas Cranberry Walnut Bread

I'm always looking for easy recipes for quick breads, especially this time of year. A loaf of a yummy quick bread makes a wonderful homemade gift, or as a treat for yourself at home with a cup of tea or coffee.

This recipe for Cranberry Walnut Bread is a favorite of mine. The cranberries have a delicious tarty taste, and the orange zest in it gives it a hint of citrus.

It's easy to find fresh cranberries this time of year, or you can also use frozen. Even if you don't like cranberries, this bread just might change your mind about them.

Recipe for Christmas Cranberry Walnut Bread

Ingredients:

1 cup cranberries (fresh or frozen)
3/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup milk
1 teaspoon grated orange peel
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
1 1/2 all-purpose flour
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions:

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a loaf pan with non-stick baking spray.
Mix together cranberries, sugar, oil, milk, orange peel, vanilla, and eggs.
Add flour, baking powder, salt, and walnuts, mix well. Pour into prepared loaf pan and bake 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Run a knife along the edges to loosen bread from pan. Cool on a wire rack before slicing.

Makes 1 loaf.

I made this last year, but it's so yummy that I wanted to share it again. Enjoy!!