Cranberry Orange Muffins Recipe

I love cooking during the winter season. I also love cooking during the Holiday season. Seems like the meals and dishes we cook for and during this time of year hold a truly special intoxicating smell that just warms up your soul and brings a great deal of comfort. I hold so many fantastic memories from my childhood when my mom used to spend her days in the kitchen, cooking up a storm for us during the Holidays. It was special, it was magical! Perhaps my passion for cooking was born from those days... All I know is that there is no better time to cook than during those cold, snowy and gloomy days. 

The marriage between orange and cranberry is a perfect combination to celebrate the Holidays. Incorporated into muffins, these flavours will completely charm you. Sublime for those cold mornings, but also for those late brunches or as a nice gift to a loved one. Gather them in a nice festive tin box with some colourful wax paper and you have got yourself a nice holiday treat to give out... or simply keep for yourself!

Yields 12 muffins

2 c. all-purpose flour
3/4 c. sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 c. cranberries
1 large egg
1/4 tsp orange extract
3/4 c. orange juice

1/4 c. vegetable oil

• Preheat oven at 400° F. 
• In a large bowl, combine all dry ingredients together. 
• Stir in the cranberries. 
• In a small bowl or measuring cup, mix well together the egg, orange extract, orange juice and oil. 
• Add the orange mixture to the dry ingredients and stir just until moistened. Do NOT over stir your mixture because you will end up with tough muffins! 
• Spoon into muffin cups or into greased muffin sheet. 
• Put in the heated oven and bake for 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle of your muffins comes out clean.