Cranberry Muffins w/ Hazelnut Crumble & Orange Butter
I woke up Saturday morning with a sudden epiphany. I still had a package of leftover dried cranberries that was the forgotten love child from my curry chicken salad recipe. It was time to put an end to its misery from the back corner of our pantry.
Hitting the snooze button on our alarm clock 5 times usually means we probably won’t have time for breakfast. And as the winter days go by, it seems to be the case during the work week. So it wasn’t rocket science to decide on the fate of the dried cranberries. A batch of homemade muffins that can easily be consumed while he sprints to the subway entrance.
The recipe was originally posted on the Food Network website but in true foodie fashion, I have altered it and contributed my own modifications. I love the tartness of the cranberries which are balanced by the sweet hazelnut crumble topping on the dome of the muffin. And the orange butter highlights the citrus notes from the stewed cranberries so perfectly. Enjoy it with a nice cup of freshly brewed coffee and you’ve started off your day with a delicious treat!
| 1 | cup dried cranberries |
| 1/2 | cup orange juice |
| 2 | cups flour |
| 2 | tsp baking powder |
| 1/4 | tsp salt |
| 1/2 | cup unsalted butter, softened at room temperature |
| 2/3 | cup sugar |
| 2 | eggs, at room temperature |
| 1/2 | cup milk |
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees and grease 2 muffin pans. In a small saucepan, simmer orange juice and cranberries for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, sift flour, baking powder and salt into a mixing bowl. Set aside flour mixture. After the cranberries have simmered for 10 minutes, remove from heat, set aside and allow cranberries to plump.
- In another large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each egg. Fold the flour mixture into the creamed butter. Do this in three parts and alternate with 1/4 cup of milk between each flour addition. It should be flour, then milk, flour again, milk and another flour. Fold batter gently after each addition. TIP: Do not over mix as this will prevent your muffins from rising in the oven. Any lumps will disappear once you bake them.
- Fold the cranberries into the mixture. Scoop batter into each mold, filling them 3/4 full. Sprinkle with hazelnut crumble topping (see recipe below) and bake for 20-25 minutes. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes, remove from molds and serve warm with a side of orange butter (see recipe below). Makes 8-10 medium muffins.
| 1/4 | cup flour |
| 1/4 | cup packed brown sugar |
| 1/2 | tsp cinnamon |
| 1/4 | cup chopped hazelnuts |
| 2 | Tbsp cold butter, cut in small pieces |
- In a small food processor, combine flour and sugar. Next, add the cold pieces of butter and mix until you have the crumble texture. Add chopped nuts and keep mixture chilled until ready to use.
| 1/4 | cup butter, softened to room temperature |
| 2 | Tbsp orange marmalade |
| 1 | tsp honey |
- Whip butter, marmalade and honey together. Place in a serving dish and chill for 30 minutes.
December 14th, 2009 at 11:45
Beautiful pictures, and the muffins sound delicious! Winter really is a great time for muffins – a nice quick breakfast on the go
December 14th, 2009 at 11:53
@Megan: The muffins are definitely going to fill us up for the next few days. I love how the butter slowly melts when you put it on the warm muffins. I will actually put one in my purse as I finish up my Christmas shopping today! Always nice little snack
Thanks for coming by!
December 14th, 2009 at 13:21
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December 14th, 2009 at 16:50
oh these look yummy great idea love your blog and the layout
December 14th, 2009 at 18:32
oh yum! what a creative muffin – sounds like a wonderful mix of flavors!
December 14th, 2009 at 18:46
Great recipe. I loved visiting your blog. I found you via the Foodie Blogroll widget. Love the photography and set up your blog. Glad I stopped by. These muffins will be great for Christmas morning!
December 14th, 2009 at 19:42
@Rebecca: Thanks! We’re still playing around with the header. There’s always room for improvement!
December 14th, 2009 at 19:43
@Simply Life: It’s a fancy muffin
and very delicious!
December 14th, 2009 at 19:49
@Lisa: Thank you so much for your wonderful compliments
. I just joined the Foodie Blogroll community and can’t wait for all the contests and giveaways! I’m also planning on making these muffins for Christmas morning along with the pain perdu and proscuitto cups. Hope you enjoy the recipe and I’d lobe to hear about it!
December 14th, 2009 at 22:58
Your muffins look absolutely delicious! I love the flavor combination of orange and cranberry. Thanks for sharing.
December 15th, 2009 at 02:08
These muffins look so wonderfully crumbly and moist, I love the sweet zesty combination of flavors!
December 15th, 2009 at 09:20
@Velva: The sweetness of the oranges create such a great balance for the tart cranberries. And the orange butter with a touch of honey makes it even sweeter!
Thanks so much for visiting
December 15th, 2009 at 09:24
@Christine: The muffins have the right amount of density too. Not too fluffy and definitely moist. I may just add a little vegetable oil next time for an extra boost of moisture!
December 15th, 2009 at 10:57
cranberry and orange is one of my favorite combinations, and the fluffy texture of your muffins is so appealing. the best thing of all, though, is that stellar crumble topping–this is a masterful creation!
December 16th, 2009 at 10:46
Cranberries and orange is such a great flavor combination, but muffins with a crumb topping get me every time.
Mimi
December 16th, 2009 at 11:32
@Mimi: I’m a sucker for crumb topping too! Muffins, cupcakes, ice cream, donuts…. you name it, I’ll eat it
December 16th, 2009 at 17:14
Cranberries will be on my list the next time I go to the market. I can smell them baking in the oven already!
December 17th, 2009 at 09:39
@Maggie: You can also use fresh cranberries for this recipe if you already have them lying around the kitchen. I just used the dried ones because I had leftovers! Hope you enjoy the recipe
December 17th, 2009 at 15:44
I NEED THE MUFFIN.
December 17th, 2009 at 15:47
@Derick: There’s an exclusive B&B in Manhattan just for you and Theresa called “Chez Nous” and they serve these muffins there