Quick Cranberry Walnut Muffins with Glaze
Moist and tender cranberry muffins with a subtle cinnamon flavor, topped with a sweet glaze and studded with fresh cranberries and walnuts. Perfect for breakfast, snacks, or brunch.
Equipment
- Standard 12-cup muffin tin
- 2 Mixing Bowls
- 1 Wooden spoon
- 1 Sharp Knife
- 1 Wire cooling rack
Ingredients
- ½ cup light brown sugar packed
- ½ cup granulated sugar divided
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- 1 cup full-fat sour cream room temperature
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 Tbsp milk room temperature
- 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp fine sea salt
- 1 ½ cups fresh cranberries divided
- ½ cup chopped walnuts
Glaze:
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 Tbsp milk
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Muffin Tin: Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure even baking. Line a standard 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or lightly grease it to prevent sticking. Proper preheating guarantees that the muffins rise correctly and develop a golden, tender crust.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the brown sugar, ¼ cup of granulated sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, full-fat sour cream, vanilla extract, and milk. Whisk vigorously until the mixture is smooth and well combined, creating a rich, velvety base for your muffins.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and fine sea salt. Sifting ensures even distribution of leavening agents and spices, resulting in consistent texture and flavor in every muffin.
- Incorporate Dry into Wet Batter: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and gently stir with a wooden spoon until just moistened, leaving some streaks of flour visible. Avoid overmixing to maintain a light, tender, and fluffy muffin texture.
- Prepare Sugared Cranberries and Nuts: Slice 1 ¼ cups of fresh cranberries in half and toss with the remaining ¼ cup granulated sugar to coat. Add these sugared cranberries along with chopped walnuts to the batter and fold gently until evenly distributed for bursts of tartness and crunch in every bite.
- Portion Batter into Muffin Liners: Evenly distribute the batter among the 12 prepared muffin liners, filling each about ¾ full. Top each muffin with a few whole cranberries for a decorative and flavorful finish, ensuring a visually appealing presentation after baking.
- Bake the Muffins: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 18–20 minutes, or until muffins are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Rotate the pan halfway through baking if your oven has hot spots for even cooking.
- Cool Muffins Before Glazing: Allow the muffins to cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire cooling rack to reach room temperature. Cooling completely ensures the muffins set properly and prevents the glaze from sliding off when applied.
- Prepare and Apply Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and milk until smooth. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled muffins using a spoon or piping bag, letting it set slightly before serving for a sweet, glossy finish.
- Serve or Store: Enjoy the muffins fresh, or store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze the muffins for up to 2 months and thaw before serving to maintain freshness and flavor.
Notes
- Always use fresh cranberries for the best tartness; frozen can be used if thawed and patted dry.
- Room temperature eggs and sour cream ensure smoother batter and even baking.
- Avoid overmixing the batter to maintain tender, fluffy muffins; some streaks of flour are fine.
- Sugaring the cranberries enhances sweetness and balances tartness, while also adding texture.
- Muffin liners help with easy removal and cleanup, but greasing the tin works if you prefer.
- Allow muffins to cool completely before glazing to prevent the glaze from sliding off.
- These muffins are versatile and perfect for breakfast, brunch, or snack-time enjoyment.
