15 Best Cranberry Muffin Recipes

Cranberry muffins are perfect during the holiday season but taste great all year round. The tart berries add bright pops of flavor and beautiful red color to any muffin. These 15 recipes give you plenty of options from classic orange cranberry to more unique flavor combos. Most of these work with both fresh and dried cranberries, so you can make them even when fresh cranberries aren’t in season.

Classic Orange Cranberry Muffins

This combo is popular for good reason – the bright orange zest perfectly balances the tart cranberries. The orange juice in the batter adds moisture and more citrus flavor. Fresh cranberries work best in these, though you can use dried in a pinch. Some recipes add a orange glaze on top which makes them extra special. These smell amazing while baking from the orange zest. Perfect for holiday breakfast or brunch, but good any time you want something bright and tangy.

White Chocolate Cranberry Muffins

The sweet white chocolate chips balance the tartness of the cranberries perfectly. The chips get melty and create pockets of sweetness that contrast with the tangy berries. These work great with both fresh or dried cranberries. Some recipes call for vanilla in the batter which complements both flavors. The red and white look pretty together too, making these nice for Christmas morning or winter brunches. Even people who don’t usually like cranberries often enjoy these because of the sweet balance.

Cranberry Streusel Muffins

The crunchy streusel topping on these takes regular cranberry muffins to the next level. The streusel has butter, sugar, and sometimes oats or nuts that gets crispy in the oven. The contrast between the soft muffin, tart berries, and sweet crunchy top is what makes these special. Worth the extra few minutes to make the topping. These look like something from a fancy bakery but aren’t hard to make at home.

Almond Cranberry Muffins

The almond flavor works surprisingly well with tart cranberries. Most recipes use both almond extract and sliced almonds to double up on the nutty flavor. Some even include almond flour for triple almond action. The slight bitterness of almonds complements the tart cranberries in a way that’s different from the usual orange pairing. These have a more sophisticated flavor that’s perfect with coffee. Great for holiday breakfast when you want something a little different.

Cranberry Orange Cornmeal Muffins

The cornmeal adds interesting texture and a subtle corn flavor. These have a slightly gritty (in a good way) texture that makes them different from regular muffins. The orange and cranberry are classic together, and the cornmeal adds another dimension. These aren’t as sweet as most muffins which makes them good with both breakfast or alongside dinner. The cornmeal also gives them a beautiful golden color. These are a nice change when you want something with more texture.

Cranberry Pecan Muffins

The pecans add a nice crunch and nutty flavor that works really well with cranberries. Some recipes have you toast the pecans first which brings out their flavor more. The cranberries can be fresh or dried depending on what you have. These are more filling than plain cranberry muffins because of the nuts. Some recipes include a touch of maple syrup or extract which ties the flavors together. Great for fall and winter breakfasts when you want something substantial.

Cinnamon Cranberry Oatmeal Muffins

The oats in these give a hearty texture and make them more filling than regular muffins. The cinnamon adds warmth that balances the tart cranberries. Some recipes have you soak the oats in milk first which softens them up. These work with both fresh or dried cranberries, though dried are more common in oatmeal muffins. These aren’t as sweet as most muffins which makes them good for everyday breakfasts. The oats also give them staying power to keep you full longer.

Lemon Cranberry Yogurt Muffins

The yogurt makes these super moist and adds a slight tang that works well with the cranberries. The lemon zest brightens everything up and complements the berries just as well as orange does. These have a tender crumb and stay fresh longer than regular muffins. You can use Greek yogurt for extra protein or regular yogurt works fine too. These are less sweet than most cranberry muffins which makes them better for breakfast. Great when you want something tangy and fresh tasting.

Cranberry Apple Cider Muffins

The apple cider in the batter adds sweetness and spice that balances the tart cranberries. Some recipes reduce the cider first to concentrate the flavor. Fresh cranberries work best in these to contrast with the sweet cider flavor. Some recipes add diced apple too for texture contrast. These smell amazing while baking with all the fall spices from the cider. Perfect for autumn when both cranberries and apple cider are in season. Great with coffee on cool mornings.

Maple Cranberry Walnut Muffins

The maple flavor comes from real maple syrup which gives a more complex sweetness than just using sugar. The walnuts add crunch and the cranberries add tartness for a perfect balance of flavors and textures. Some recipes include a maple glaze on top which makes them extra special. These have a fall harvest feel that’s perfect for Thanksgiving morning or any autumn breakfast. The maple flavor helps tame the tartness of the cranberries for those who find them too sour.

Cranberry Pumpkin Spice Muffins

The pumpkin adds moisture and the spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves) add warmth that works surprisingly well with the tart cranberries. The pumpkin also gives these a beautiful orange color that looks pretty with the red berries. These can be made with fresh or dried cranberries. Some recipes add pepitas (pumpkin seeds) on top for extra crunch. These are perfect for fall when both cranberries and pumpkins are in season. Great for Thanksgiving breakfast.

Brown Butter Cranberry Muffins

Browning the butter takes like 5 extra minutes but adds this amazing nutty flavor that makes these taste gourmet. The nutty brown butter flavor works really well with tart cranberries. Some recipes add a bit of orange zest too which brightens everything up. These have a more complex flavor than regular cranberry muffins. Perfect when you want to impress people without doing anything too complicated. Great with afternoon tea or coffee.

Whole Wheat Honey Cranberry Muffins

Using whole wheat flour makes these more nutritious and gives a slight nutty flavor. The honey adds a different kind of sweetness that’s more complex than just using sugar. These work well with both fresh or dried cranberries. They’re not as fluffy as white flour muffins but that’s OK – their heartier texture means they’ll keep you full longer. These are less sweet than most cranberry muffins which makes them good for everyday breakfasts. The honey helps balance the tart cranberries.

Cranberry Ginger Muffins with Lemon Glaze

The ginger adds a spicy warmth that contrasts nicely with the tart cranberries. Some recipes use both ground ginger and small pieces of crystallized ginger for extra punch. The lemon glaze on top adds sweetness and another layer of flavor. Fresh cranberries work best in these to stand up to the strong ginger flavor. These have a more complex, sophisticated flavor profile than most cranberry muffins. Perfect for holiday brunch when you want something a little different.

Cranberry Coconut Crumb Muffins

Adding coconut flakes gives these great texture and tropical flavor that works surprisingly well with cranberries. The crumb topping usually includes coconut too for extra crunch. These often use dried cranberries rather than fresh for a chewier texture that matches the coconut. Some recipes use coconut oil instead of butter for more coconut flavor. The combination might sound unusual but it really works! These are a nice change when you’re tired of traditional cranberry orange muffins and want something different.