Delightful Cranberry Cream Cheese Muffins with Glaze: Your Ultimate Holiday Breakfast Treat
Indulge in the festive flavors of fall and winter with these irresistible Cranberry Cream Cheese Muffins, elegantly finished with a sweet, delicate glaze. Bursting with fresh seasonal cranberries and a rich, creamy filling, these muffins are an absolute dream. Make them the star of your Christmas morning breakfast or any cozy gathering!
These cranberry cream cheese muffins are more than just a delicious treat; they’re a celebration of seasonal flavors and cozy moments. Perfect for winter, these muffins strike a delightful balance between indulgence and a touch of wholesome goodness. Every batch disappears quickly, a testament to their irresistible appeal!
Imagine a pillowy soft muffin, generously studded with tangy cranberries, each bite delivering a burst of vibrant flavor. Crowned with a delicate, sweet glaze, these muffins are pure heaven. They offer a sophisticated twist on traditional muffins, making them an ideal companion to your morning coffee or a delightful afternoon snack. Just like my beloved eggnog muffins, these festive delights are destined to become a holiday staple in your home.
How to Make the Best Cranberry Cream Cheese Muffins
Crafting these delectable cranberry cream cheese muffins is a straightforward process, yielding impressive results. The key lies in carefully combining the wet and dry ingredients and, of course, incorporating those beautiful fresh cranberries. Follow these steps for muffin perfection:
Preparing the Wet Ingredients
Begin by taking your softened cream cheese and beating it in a large bowl until it’s wonderfully light and fluffy. This step is crucial for achieving that signature tender muffin texture. Next, incorporate the vanilla extract, both granulated sugar and brown sugar, applesauce, melted coconut oil, and olive oil. Beat these ingredients together until they are thoroughly combined and smooth. The combination of applesauce, coconut oil, and olive oil not only adds moisture but also contributes to a slightly “healthier” profile without sacrificing flavor. Finally, add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition to ensure they are fully integrated into the creamy mixture.
Mixing Dry Ingredients and Folding in Cranberries
In a separate bowl, whisk together the dry components: whole wheat pastry flour, baking powder, and a pinch of sea salt. Using whole wheat pastry flour instead of regular all-purpose flour offers a lighter texture and a subtle nutty flavor, along with added fiber. Gradually add this dry mixture to your wet ingredients, mixing only until just combined. Overmixing can lead to tough muffins, so stop as soon as you no longer see streaks of dry flour. The final step for the batter is to gently fold in the fresh cranberries using a rubber spatula. This ensures even distribution and prevents them from getting crushed.
Baking and Glazing Your Muffins
Line two muffin tins with a total of 24 muffin liners. I highly recommend using parchment paper muffin liners as they truly prevent any sticking, making for effortlessly perfect muffins every time. Fill each liner about three-quarters full with the batter. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175°C) for approximately 24-26 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. Once baked, let them cool in the tins for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
While the muffins are still warm, prepare the simple yet elegant glaze. In a small bowl, combine powdered sugar and milk, whisking until a smooth, pourable glaze forms. Drizzle this sweet topping generously over the muffins. The warmth of the muffins will help the glaze set beautifully, creating a stunning finish and adding an extra layer of sweetness that perfectly complements the tart cranberries. Serve immediately and savor every glorious bite!
The Magic of Cranberries in Winter Baking
Cranberries are truly one of nature’s most enchanting gifts, especially during the fall and winter seasons. Their vibrant ruby-red hue and distinct tartness make them a standout ingredient that transforms any dish into something special. For many home bakers, the thought of cooking with fresh cranberries can seem a bit daunting. I used to feel the same way until I ventured into making my own homemade cranberry sauce. That experience completely changed my perspective, and I couldn’t get enough of their fresh, deliciously tangy flavor. Now, cranberries are unequivocally one of my favorite winter flavors to incorporate into my baking!
For these muffins, I was inspired to create a treat that captured the essence of the holidays with fresh cranberries and the creamy richness of cream cheese, while still being mindful of ingredients. My goal was a delightful breakfast or dessert that tasted indulgent but wouldn’t leave me feeling sluggish afterward. The unique tartness of cranberries cuts through the sweetness beautifully, creating a harmonious flavor profile that is both comforting and invigorating.
A Healthier, Yet Decadent, Muffin
These muffins achieve their delightfully light and fluffy texture, surprisingly, through the use of whole wheat pastry flour. This special flour is finer than regular whole wheat flour, ensuring your muffins are incredibly soft and practically melt in your mouth, defying any expectations of dense whole wheat baked goods. While I won’t claim these are strictly “health food,” they are certainly made with enough thoughtful ingredient choices to be a more balanced option than many traditional muffin recipes.
By incorporating unsweetened applesauce, coconut oil, and olive oil, we reduce the amount of butter or heavy oils typically found in muffins. Applesauce adds natural sweetness and moisture, while the oils provide essential fats for a tender crumb. This intelligent combination allows for a muffin that is rich and satisfying without feeling overly heavy. The sweetness is carefully balanced, ensuring the natural tartness of the cranberries truly shines through.
These muffins are perfectly sweetened, allowing the bright, tangy flavor of fresh cranberries to be the star. The delicate sugar glaze on top provides just the right touch of additional sweetness, creating a beautiful counterpoint to the cranberries’ tartness. Each muffin tastes like it came straight from a gourmet bakery, promising a truly delightful experience. Be prepared for your family to ask for batch after batch – they are that good!
The Perfect Christmas Morning Tradition
I’ve officially crowned these my “Christmas morning muffins.” There’s something truly magical about waking up on Christmas Day to the aroma of freshly baked goods, and these muffins fit the bill perfectly. If you’re searching for a simple, yet incredibly delicious, recipe to enjoy before diving into presents, look no further. Their festive colors, comforting warmth, and delightful flavors embody the spirit of the season, making them an ideal choice for holiday celebrations.
This year, treat your loved ones (and yourself!) to these delightful and “healthy-ish” cranberry cream cheese muffins. Whether enjoyed as a breakfast staple, a festive snack, or a sweet dessert, they are sure to bring smiles and warmth to any occasion. Just try not to eat the whole batch yourself – although, I wouldn’t blame you if you did!
More Delicious Cranberry Recipes to Explore
If you love the bright, tart flavor of cranberries as much as I do, then you’ll definitely want to check out these other fantastic cranberry-infused recipes. They’re perfect for embracing the flavors of the season!
- White Chocolate Cranberry Eggnog Bread
- Cranberry White Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Cranberry Blueberry Crisp
- White Chocolate Cranberry Pecan Cookies
- 3 Ingredient Cranberry Sauce
- Cranberry Apple Crisp
- Healthy Cranberry Orange Muffins
Cranberry Cream Cheese Muffins
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Ingredients
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8 oz cream cheese, softened
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1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
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1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
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1/2 cup olive oil
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1 cup sugar
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1/4 cup brown sugar
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1 tablespoon vanilla extract
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4 eggs
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2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
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1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
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1/2 teaspoon sea salt
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2 1/2 cups fresh cranberries
For the glaze
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1 cup powdered sugar
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2 tablespoons 2% milk
Instructions
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In a large bowl, beat softened cream cheese until fluffy. Then add vanilla extract, sugar, brown sugar, applesauce, coconut oil, and olive oil and beat until well combined.
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Add eggs, one at a time, and beat well until thoroughly mixed into the batter.
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In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the whole wheat pastry flour, baking powder, and sea salt.
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Gently add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix just until combined; be careful not to overmix, which can result in tough muffins.
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Using a rubber spatula, carefully fold in the fresh cranberries until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
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Line two muffin tins with a total of 24 muffin liners (parchment paper liners are recommended for easy release). Divide the batter evenly among the liners, filling each about 3/4 full.
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Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 24-26 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
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While the muffins are cooling slightly, prepare the glaze: In a small bowl, combine powdered sugar and milk, whisking until smooth.
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Drizzle the glaze over the warm muffins before serving. This allows the glaze to set beautifully.
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Store any leftover muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-5 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Video
Nutrition
Calories: 205kcal
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Carbohydrates: 25g
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Protein: 3g
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Fat: 11g
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Saturated Fat: 5g
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Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g
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Monounsaturated Fat: 5g
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Trans Fat: 0.004g
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Cholesterol: 37mg
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Sodium: 117mg
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Potassium: 75mg
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Fiber: 1g
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Sugar: 17g
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Vitamin A: 176IU
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Vitamin C: 1mg
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Calcium: 36mg
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Iron: 1mg
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