Cranberry Orange Muffins
A couple years ago I got on a serious muffin kick and developed dozens of recipes. Cranberry and orange may be one of my favorite winter flavor combinations. Zesty and tart and fragrant – this combo holds all the comforts of the holidays. On days that are particularly drizzly and bone chilling, fresh baked cranberry orange muffins fill the home and belly with warmth – it’s a wonderful way to start a winter morning.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED:
- 2 cups flour (oat, all purpose, or gluten free)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon organic cinnamon
- Pinch of organic ground cloves
- 1 large organic egg
- 1/2 cup organic buttermilk
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/4 cup organic extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon organic apple cider vinegar
- 1 large organic orange, zested and juiced
- 1 cup fresh organic cranberries, chopped
Note: I make my own oat flour by finely blending rolled oats in a food processor or blender. Make sure to measure your cups after the oats have been finely ground.
TO PREPARE:
STEP 1:
Preheat oven to 375°F. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, baking soda, sea salt, and spices.
STEP 2:
In a separate bowl, combine egg, buttermilk, maple syrup, olive oil, and vinegar.
STEP 3:
Zest the orange and set aside. Squeeze the juice from the orange and add it to above wet mixture.
STEP 4:
Chop cranberries into halves or set them to chop in a food processor.
STEP 5:
Combine the wet and the dry mixtures. Gently fold in the chopped cranberries and orange zest, saving a few cranberries to sprinkle on the top.
STEP 6:
Line a muffin tray with unbleached liners and fill each 3/4 full with an ice cream scooper (this will make for rounded tops). Sprinkle the remaining cranberries on the tops.
STEP 7:
Bake for about 18-20 minutes or until a butter knife comes out clean. Oven temperatures vary, so start taking a peek at them a few minutes reaching the end of baking time.
STEP 8:
Remove pan from oven and use a small spatula or knife to carefully remove muffins in their tins to cool on a cooking rack for at least 15 minutes before enjoying.
