Introduction

These Christmas muffins are a festive treat filled with warm spices, zesty orange, and a delightful mix of chocolate and dried cranberries. Perfect for holiday breakfasts or as a sweet snack, they bring a cozy seasonal flavor to every bite.

Christmas Muffins with Chocolate, Cranberries, and Orange Glaze Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

125g unsalted butter
250g self-raising flour
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
200g golden caster sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
¼ nutmeg, freshly grated
150g natural yogurt
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 medium eggs
1 orange, zested and juiced
150g chocolate (white, milk or dark), chopped
50g dried cranberries
50g icing sugar
2 tbsp pearl sugar (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Heat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan) or gas mark 4 and line a 12-hole muffin tray with paper muffin cases.
Step 2: Melt the butter in the microwave or a small pan over low heat, then set aside to cool for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, combine the flour, bicarbonate of soda, golden caster sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt in a large bowl.
Step 3: In another bowl, mix the yogurt, vanilla extract, eggs, and cooled butter until well blended.
Step 4: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, then add the orange zest, chopped chocolate, and dried cranberries. Stir gently until just combined, ensuring there are no pockets of flour.
Step 5: Divide the batter evenly between the paper cases in the muffin tray.
Step 6: Bake for about 30 minutes until the muffins have risen and turned golden. Check doneness by inserting a cocktail stick into the center of a muffin; if it comes out clean, they are ready. If not, bake for an additional 5 minutes.
Step 7: Remove the muffins from the oven and let them cool in the tin for at least 10 minutes.
Step 8: While cooling, mix icing sugar with enough orange juice to create a loose glaze. Brush this over each muffin and sprinkle with pearl sugar, if using.
Step 9: Allow the glaze to set and the muffins to cool completely before serving.

Tips & Variations

For a nutty crunch, add 50g chopped walnuts or pecans to the batter.
Try using spiced dried fruits like raisins soaked in rum for extra holiday flavor.
Swap the chocolate for white or dark chips depending on your preference.
If you prefer a less sweet glaze, use less icing sugar or omit it entirely.

Storage

Store these muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. To keep them longer, freeze the cooled muffins in a sealed bag or container for up to two months. Reheat gently in a warm oven or microwave before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these muffins dairy-free?

Yes, substitute the unsalted butter with a plant-based alternative and use a dairy-free yogurt to make these muffins suitable for a dairy-free diet.

Can I use regular flour instead of self-raising flour?

You can, but you will need to add 2 teaspoons of baking powder to help the muffins rise properly.

Christmas Muffins with Chocolate, Cranberries, and Orange Glaze Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 125 reviews

These festive Christmas muffins are a delightful treat combining warm spices, citrus zest, and rich chocolate pieces with tart dried cranberries. Light and fluffy, they’re topped with a zesty orange glaze and optional pearl sugar for a perfect holiday celebration snack.

Author: Marco
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
Total Time: 45-50 minutes
Yield: 12 muffins 1x
Category: Baking
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Western
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

250g self-raising flour
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
200g golden caster sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
¼ nutmeg, freshly grated
Pinch of salt

Wet Ingredients

125g unsalted butter
150g natural yogurt
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 medium eggs
1 orange, zested and juiced

Add-ins

150g chocolate (white, milk or dark), chopped
50g dried cranberries

For Glaze and Topping

50g icing sugar
2 tbsp pearl sugar (optional)

Instructions

Preheat and Prepare: Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas mark 4 and line a 12-hole muffin tray with paper muffin cases. This ensures your muffins bake evenly and are easy to remove.
Melt Butter: Gently melt the unsalted butter either in the microwave or on a low heat in a small pan. Then, set aside the melted butter to cool for about 10 minutes to avoid cooking the eggs later.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the self-raising flour, bicarbonate of soda, golden caster sugar, cinnamon, freshly grated nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. Mixing these well ensures even distribution of flavors and leavening agents.
Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix together the cooled melted butter, natural yogurt, vanilla extract, eggs, and the orange zest and juice. Beat these well to create a smooth wet mixture.
Mix Wet and Dry: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Add the chopped chocolate and dried cranberries. Stir gently but thoroughly until the batter is smooth and no flour pockets remain; avoid overmixing to keep muffins tender.
Fill Muffin Cases: Divide the batter evenly among the 12 muffin cases, filling each about ¾ full to allow room for rising.
Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes or until the muffins are risen and golden brown. To check doneness, insert a cocktail stick into the center of a muffin in the middle of the tray; if it comes out clean or with just a few crumbs, they are done. If wet batter clings to the skewer, return the muffins to bake for another 5 minutes.
Cool: Remove the muffins from the oven and let them cool in the tin for at least 10 minutes to firm up before glazing.
Prepare Glaze: While the muffins cool, mix the icing sugar with enough orange juice to create a loose, brushable glaze.
Glaze and Garnish: Brush the orange glaze over each muffin and sprinkle with pearl sugar if using for a festive finish.
Final Cool and Store: Allow the muffins to cool completely before serving. Store in an airtight container for up to five days or freeze for up to two months.

Notes

If you prefer dairy-free options, substitute butter with a plant-based alternative and use dairy-free yogurt.
You can vary the chocolate type based on preference: white, milk, or dark all work well.
Ensure the melted butter has cooled before mixing with eggs to prevent curdling.
If fresh orange is unavailable, bottled orange juice can be used but fresh zest adds the best flavor.
For a nutty twist, consider adding chopped walnuts or pecans.
Check muffins a few minutes before the suggested bake time as oven temperatures may vary.

Keywords: Christmas muffins, holiday baking, cinnamon muffins, orange zest muffins, chocolate chip muffins, festive baking, cranberry muffins, spiced muffins