Description
These Cranberry Muffins with Orange Zest and Pecans combine tart cranberries, bright citrus, and crunchy nuts for a moist, flavorful treat. Perfect for breakfast, snacks, or an afternoon pick-me-up, this easy-to-make recipe offers a delightful texture and taste that you’ll want to bake repeatedly.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon orange zest (natural)
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup plant-based milk
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (natural)
- 1 teaspoon natural gelling agent
Add-ins
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- ½ cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Prepare your oven and muffin tray: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a muffin tray with paper liners or lightly grease it with vegetable oil to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir in the sugar and orange zest (natural) evenly to distribute the citrus flavor throughout the muffins.
- Combine wet ingredients: In another bowl, whisk plant-based milk, vegetable oil, vanilla extract (natural), and the natural gelling agent until smooth to provide moisture and tenderness.
- Incorporate wet and dry mixtures: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mix and fold gently to combine. Avoid overmixing to keep muffins light and fluffy; the batter should be thick but easy to scoop.
- Add cranberries and pecans: Fold in the fresh cranberries and chopped pecans carefully to distribute them evenly without breaking the berries.
- Fill muffin cups and bake: Spoon the batter into prepared muffin cups, filling each about 3/4 full. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes until tops are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool and enjoy: Let muffins cool in the tray for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to prevent sogginess and set perfectly.
Notes
- Use fresh cranberries for best tartness; dried cranberries should be rehydrated.
- Fold batter gently to avoid tough muffins.
- Use room temperature ingredients for smooth mixing and consistent texture.
- Finely chop pecans for even distribution of nutty flavor.
- Adjust sweetness by tasting the batter before baking and adding extra sugar if desired.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 muffin
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: cranberry muffins, orange zest, pecans, plant-based, vegan, gluten-free, breakfast, snack