Glazed Lemon Cranberry Muffins

Fresh, frozen, or dried, cranberries are not only for the holidays.  We love baking in this house and happened to find some fresh cranberries at the local grocer.  If you can’t find them fresh this time of year, you can simply modify the recipe with dried cranberries for a really delicious baked treat for the family.  Hints of lemon are the perfect compliment to these sweet glazed lemon cranberry muffins (or cranberry bread if you prefer).  This is a family favorite and can be made to be enjoyed any time of the year.

So Wisconsin is home to the largest production of cranberries in the United States.  I say, why not celebrate these little beauties all year round since they have a great storage life in the fridge or freezer.  Of course, this is a great recipe to use during the holidays too, but why limit ourselves.  My kids like the sweet flavor that the glaze offers, while my husband enjoys how hearty these are.

Loaf Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour

⅔ cup sugar

2 tsp. baking powder

¼ tsp. salt

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 cup fresh cranberries, chopped (or dried cranberry)

4 Tbsp. melted butter or ¼ cup margarine

⅔ cup milk

1 tsp. orange or lemon rind

1 large egg

½ tsp. vanilla extract

Cooking spray

Glaze:

1 cup powdered sugar

2 Tbsp. heavy whipping cream or milk

1 tsp. lemon extract

How it’s made:

1. Heat the oven to 400 degrees F.  For cranberry muffins, line 12 muffin cups with paper liners or coat with nonstick cooking spray.  For cranberry bread, coat bread pan with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In a medium bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Stir well.  Add the chopped cranberries to the dry mixture and continue stirring.
3. In a medium bowl, combine butter, milk, rind, egg and vanilla extract.  Mix well with a wire whisk.  Add to the dry mixture making sure to stir until moist.

Bake:

For muffins:  Spoon batter into 12 muffin cups and bake at 400 degrees for 18 minutes.

For loaf: Spoon batter into prepared bread pan and bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Remove from pans to cool on cooling rack.  Cool completely before adding glaze.

Glaze: In a small bowl mix together glaze ingredients until smooth.  If your glaze seems too thick, add a pinch more milk until it becomes a nice consistency.  Drizzle the glaze over the loaf/muffins and let it set before slicing.

5 from 2 votes

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Glazed Cranberry Loaf

Prep Time

30 mins

Cook Time

30 mins

Total Time

1 hr

 

A sweet treat that incorporates sweet with tangy.  You'll love these as a loaf or as muffins.  A snack, or a breakfast item.  

Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 cup fresh cranberries chopped
• 4 Tbsp butter melted
• 2/3 cup milk
• 1 tsp orange or lemon rind
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• cooking spray

Glaze

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 Tbsp heavy whipping cream or milk
• 1 tsp lemon extract

Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 400 degrees F. For cranberry muffins, line 12 muffin cups with paper liners or coat with nonstick cooking spray. For cranberry bread, coat bread pan with nonstick cooking spray.

2. In a medium bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Stir well. Add the chopped cranberries to the dry mixture and continue stirring.

3. In a medium bowl, combine butter, milk, rind, egg and vanilla extract. Mix well with a wire whisk. Add to the dry mixture making sure to stir until moist.

Bake

1. For muffins: Spoon batter into 12 muffin cups and bake at 400 degrees for 18 minutes.

2. For loaf: Spoon batter into prepared bread pan and bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from pans to cool on cooling rack. Cool completely before adding glaze.

3. Glaze: In a small bowl mix together glaze ingredients until smooth. If your glaze seems too thick, add a pinch more milk until it becomes a nice consistency. Drizzle the glaze over the loaf/muffins and let it set before slicing.

I hope your family these Glazed Lemon Cranberry Muffins.  What is your favorite muffin or baked treat?

Enjoy!