Jumbo Orange Cranberry Muffins: A Burst of Winter Flavor

These Jumbo Orange Cranberry Muffins are a festive and flavorful treat, perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet snack. The combination of tart cranberries, bright orange zest, and a hint of warmth from spices creates a delightful symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. This recipe yields perfectly moist and tender muffins with a satisfyingly large size, making them ideal for sharing (or not!).

## Why You’ll Love This Recipe

* **Jumbo Size:** These muffins are generously sized, offering a substantial and satisfying treat.
* **Moist and Tender:** The use of oil and buttermilk ensures a perfectly moist and tender crumb.
* **Bursting with Flavor:** The combination of cranberries and orange creates a bright and festive flavor profile.
* **Easy to Make:** This recipe is straightforward and easy to follow, even for beginner bakers.
* **Perfect for the Holidays:** The vibrant colors and festive flavors make these muffins a perfect addition to your holiday baking.
* **Freezer-Friendly:** These muffins freeze well, so you can enjoy them anytime.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

### For the Muffins:

* 3 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
* 1 tablespoon baking powder
* 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
* 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries, coarsely chopped
* 1 large orange, zest and juice
* 1 cup buttermilk
* 1/2 cup vegetable oil
* 2 large eggs
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

### For the Optional Orange Glaze:

* 1 cup powdered sugar
* 2-3 tablespoons orange juice
* 1/2 teaspoon orange zest (optional)

## Equipment You’ll Need

* Large mixing bowl
* Medium mixing bowl
* Measuring cups and spoons
* Jumbo muffin tin
* Muffin liners (optional, but recommended)
* Whisk
* Rubber spatula
* Ice cream scoop or large spoon
* Wire rack

## Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these detailed instructions to create the perfect batch of Jumbo Orange Cranberry Muffins:

### Step 1: Prepare the Cranberries and Orange

* If using frozen cranberries, no need to thaw them. Coarsely chop the cranberries using a knife or food processor. Don’t over-process; you want them to retain some texture.
* Zest the orange using a microplane or fine grater. Be careful to only zest the orange part of the peel, avoiding the white pith, which is bitter.
* Juice the orange. You should get about 1/4 cup of juice.

### Step 2: Preheat Oven and Prepare Muffin Tin

* Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This higher temperature helps the muffins rise quickly, creating a beautiful dome.
* Line a jumbo muffin tin with paper liners. Alternatively, you can grease the muffin tin thoroughly with cooking spray.

### Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

* In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Make sure everything is well combined.

### Step 4: Combine Wet Ingredients

* In a separate medium mixing bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, vanilla extract, orange zest, and orange juice until well combined.

### Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

* Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Gently stir with a rubber spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. A few lumps are okay.
* Gently fold in the chopped cranberries.

### Step 6: Fill Muffin Tin

* Using an ice cream scoop or a large spoon, fill each muffin liner about 3/4 full. Filling them generously helps create those beautiful jumbo muffins.

### Step 7: Bake the Muffins

* Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached. The tops of the muffins should be golden brown.

### Step 8: Cool the Muffins

* Let the muffins cool in the muffin tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents them from becoming soggy.

### Step 9: Make the Optional Orange Glaze (While Muffins are Cooling)

* While the muffins are cooling, prepare the orange glaze, if desired. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and orange juice until smooth. Add more orange juice, one teaspoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency. Stir in orange zest for extra flavor.

### Step 10: Glaze the Muffins (Optional)

* Once the muffins have cooled completely, drizzle the orange glaze over the tops. You can use a spoon or a pastry bag to apply the glaze. Allow the glaze to set for a few minutes before serving.

## Tips for Perfect Jumbo Orange Cranberry Muffins

* **Don’t Overmix:** Overmixing the batter will develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough muffins. Mix the wet and dry ingredients until just combined.
* **Use Room Temperature Ingredients:** Using room temperature ingredients helps them combine more easily and creates a more even batter.
* **Don’t Overbake:** Overbaking the muffins will dry them out. Check for doneness using a wooden skewer. The muffins are done when the skewer comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached.
* **Use Fresh or Frozen Cranberries:** Both fresh and frozen cranberries work well in this recipe. If using frozen cranberries, no need to thaw them.
* **Zest the Orange Before Juicing:** It’s much easier to zest the orange before you juice it.
* **Cool Completely Before Glazing:** Make sure the muffins are completely cool before glazing them, or the glaze will melt.
* **Add Nuts (Optional):** For added crunch and flavor, consider adding chopped walnuts or pecans to the batter.
* **Adjust Sweetness:** If you prefer less sweet muffins, reduce the amount of sugar slightly.
* **Buttermilk Substitute:** If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make a substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to 1 cup of milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using.
* **Storage:** Store the muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze them.

## Variations

* **Lemon Cranberry Muffins:** Substitute lemon zest and lemon juice for the orange zest and orange juice.
* **Spiced Cranberry Muffins:** Add 1/4 teaspoon of ground cloves or allspice to the batter.
* **Chocolate Chip Cranberry Muffins:** Add 1/2 cup of chocolate chips to the batter.
* **Streusel Topping:** Add a streusel topping before baking for extra sweetness and crunch.

## Serving Suggestions

* Enjoy these muffins for breakfast with a cup of coffee or tea.
* Serve them as a sweet treat for brunch.
* Pack them in lunchboxes for a satisfying snack.
* Bring them to a holiday gathering or potluck.
* Warm them slightly and serve with a dollop of whipped cream or ice cream for dessert.

## Make Ahead and Freezing Instructions

**Make Ahead:**

You can prepare the muffin batter ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. However, keep in mind that the baking powder will start to lose its potency over time, so the muffins may not rise as much if the batter sits for too long. Add the cranberries just before baking. Alternatively, you can zest the orange, chop the cranberries, and measure out all of the dry ingredients ahead of time. Store them in separate containers until you’re ready to bake.

**Freezing Instructions:**

These muffins freeze very well. To freeze, let the muffins cool completely. Then, wrap them individually in plastic wrap or foil, or place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. To thaw, simply let them sit at room temperature for a few hours, or microwave them for a few seconds until warmed through. You can also reheat them in the oven at a low temperature.

## Nutritional Information (Approximate per Muffin)

* Calories: 350-400
* Fat: 15-20g
* Saturated Fat: 3-5g
* Cholesterol: 50-70mg
* Sodium: 200-300mg
* Carbohydrates: 50-60g
* Sugar: 25-35g
* Protein: 4-6g

*Note: Nutritional information is approximate and will vary depending on the specific ingredients and portion sizes used.*.

## Conclusion

These Jumbo Orange Cranberry Muffins are a delightful treat that’s perfect for any occasion. With their moist and tender crumb, bursting flavor, and generous size, they’re sure to be a hit with everyone. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to bake up a batch of these delicious muffins! Enjoy!