Tart & Sweet: Ina Garten’s Fluffy Cranberry Muffins Recipe

Warm, golden muffins studded with tart cranberries and a hint of orange zest from Ina Garten’s cranberry muffins recipe promise a delightful breakfast treat.

The aroma of freshly baked goodness wafts through the kitchen, beckoning everyone to the table.

Soft, tender crumb meets bursts of bright cranberry in this simple yet elegant morning classic.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of sweetness and tangy fruit.

The recipe combines basic pantry ingredients with a touch of culinary magic.

Seasonal and comforting, these muffins bring a spark of joy to any morning routine.

Grab your mixing bowl and let’s make something deliciously memorable that will have everyone asking for seconds.

What Goes into Ina Garten’s Cranberry Muffins

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the sturdy base for the muffins, ensuring a tender and soft texture with perfect crumb.
• Granulated Sugar: Brings sweetness and helps create a golden-brown exterior with delightful caramelization.
• Baking Powder: Ensures the muffins rise beautifully and maintain a light, airy structure.
• Baking Soda: Helps neutralize the acidity and contributes to the muffins' soft, delicate texture.
• Salt: Enhances and balances the overall flavor profile of the muffins.

• Milk: Adds moisture and helps bind the ingredients, creating a smooth and creamy batter.
• Eggs: Provide structure, richness, and help bind the ingredients together.
• Vegetable Oil: Keeps the muffins incredibly moist and tender, preventing dryness.
• Almond Extract: Introduces a subtle, nutty background flavor that complements the cranberries.

• Fresh Cranberries: Burst with tart, vibrant flavor and add beautiful pops of color throughout the muffins.
• Sparkling Sugar: Creates a delightful, crunchy sweet topping that adds texture and visual appeal.

Tools for Perfect Ina Garten Cranberry Muffins

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining dry and wet ingredients smoothly.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending ingredients without lumps and creating a smooth batter.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient proportions.
• 12-cup muffin pan: Needed to shape and bake the muffins evenly.
• Muffin liners or cooking spray: Helps prevent muffins from sticking to the pan.
• Spatula: Great for folding cranberries into the batter and scraping the bowl clean.
• Cooling rack: Optional but helpful for cooling muffins after baking.

Easy Instructions for Cranberry Muffins by Ina

• Oven Preparation

Preheat the kitchen appliance to a cozy 350 degrees, creating the perfect warm environment for your delightful cranberry treats.

• Dry Ingredient Blend

Grab a spacious mixing bowl and combine the powdery essentials – flour, sugar, rising agents, and a pinch of salt – whisking them together into a soft, uniform mixture.

• Liquid Fusion

Pour in the magical flavor enhancers – silky milk, rich eggs, fragrant almond extract, and smooth vegetable oil – blending everything until the batter becomes smooth and inviting.

• Cranberry Magic

Gently fold those vibrant ruby-red cranberries into the mixture, allowing them to peek through the creamy landscape of batter.

• Baking Transformation

Distribute the luscious mixture into muffin cups, sprinkling a shower of sparkling sugar on top for a delightful crunch. Slide the pan into the waiting oven and bake for approximately 25 minutes until the tops turn a soft golden hue.

• Cooling Moment

Allow these delectable morsels to rest and cool in their cozy tin, letting their flavors settle and develop before carefully releasing them for enjoyment.

Additions and Edits for Ina’s Muffin Recipe

• Replace dried cranberries with fresh or frozen ones for different texture and burst of tartness. Blueberries or chopped strawberries work wonderfully too.
• Sprinkle chopped almonds or walnuts into the batter for extra crunch and depth of flavor. Toasting nuts beforehand intensifies their rich taste.
• Add orange zest or lemon extract to brighten the muffins' taste profile. Cinnamon or nutmeg can provide warm, cozy undertones.
• Substitute half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for added nutrition. Greek yogurt can replace some oil to reduce calories while maintaining moisture.

Serving Ina Garten Cranberry Muffins at Their Best

• Serve with Morning Coffee: Pair these cranberry muffins with a steaming hot cup of freshly brewed coffee for a delightful breakfast treat that adds warmth and sweetness to your morning routine.
• Create a Brunch Centerpiece: Arrange the muffins on a beautiful platter with some fresh berries and a small dish of butter to make a stunning centerpiece for a weekend brunch gathering.
• Pack for On-the-Go Snacking: Wrap individual muffins in parchment paper for a perfect portable breakfast or afternoon snack that's easy to take to work, school, or during weekend errands.
• Enhance with Cream Cheese Spread: Offer a small bowl of softened cream cheese or maple butter on the side, allowing guests to add an extra layer of creamy goodness to their muffin.

Store Muffins the Ina Garten Way

• Maximize Freshness: Store muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, keeping them soft and delicious.
• Freeze for Later: Wrap individual muffins in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. They'll stay fresh for up to 2 months, ready for quick breakfasts or snacks.
• Revive Day-Old Muffins: Warm slightly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to restore that just-baked softness and bring back their delightful aroma.
• Meal Prep Magic: Bake a double batch on weekends, ensuring grab-and-go breakfast options for busy mornings throughout the week.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 220 kcal

Servings: 12

Cozy Ina Garten Cranberry Muffins Recipe

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• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s cranberry muffins blend tart fruit with sweet, tender crumb in a delightful morning treat. Warm spices and fresh cranberries create a comforting breakfast that will make breakfast feel special for anyone who enjoys classic baked goods.

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Ingredients

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• 2 large eggs
• 2 cups (480 ml / 16 fl oz) all-purpose flour
• 2 cups (300 g / 10.5 oz) fresh or frozen cranberries
• 1 ½ tsps almond extract (or substitute vanilla extract)
• ¾ cup (180 ml / 6 fl oz) milk or half and half
• ½ cup (120 ml / 4 fl oz) vegetable oil
• ½ cup (100 g / 3.5 oz) granulated sugar
• 2 tsps baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 3 tbsps sparkling sugar, for topping (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Adjust oven rack to middle position and warm to 350°F. Coat muffin pan with non-stick spray or line with paper cups.
2. Dry Ingredient Fusion: Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large mixing bowl until uniformly blended, creating a light and airy base.
3. Liquid Integration: Form a central crater in dry ingredients, then pour almond extract, milk, eggs, and vegetable oil into the well. Blend gently with a whisk, maintaining a slightly lumpy texture to ensure tender muffins.
4. Cranberry Incorporation: Delicately fold fresh or frozen cranberries into the batter, ensuring even distribution without compromising the mixture’s delicate structure.
5. Pan Filling: Portion batter into muffin cups, filling each approximately two-thirds full to allow proper rising during baking.
6. Sugar Embellishment: Generously dust the top of each muffin with coarse sparkling sugar, creating a crystalline, crunchy crown.
7. Baking Transformation: Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 22-25 minutes, monitoring until a toothpick emerges clean and tops display a golden-brown hue.
8. Cooling Process: Allow muffins to rest in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to complete cooling, letting them settle and develop their final texture.

Notes

• Prevent Overmixing: Gently combine wet and dry ingredients to maintain a tender, light muffin texture; overmixing leads to tough, dense results.
• Cranberry Tip: Use fresh or frozen cranberries and fold them in last to prevent color bleeding and maintain fruit integrity throughout the batter.
• Sugar Sparkle Hack: Sprinkle coarse sparkling sugar just before baking to create a delightful crunchy top and add a professional bakery-style finish.
• Cooling Technique: Let muffins rest in the pan for 10 minutes to set their structure, then transfer to a wire rack to prevent soggy bottoms and ensure even cooling.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 220
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 31 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg