# Wake up your Senses with Cranberry Orange Muffins with Streusel Topping
## Introduction
Wake up to the zest and sweetness of these delectable Cranberry Orange Muffins with Streusel Topping! Bright, delicious and perfect for a grab-and-go breakfast or a mid-afternoon treat, these muffins are a must-try for any home baker.
## Why Make This Recipe
If you love the marriage of tart and sweet flavors, these Cranberry Orange Muffins are for you. Besides, the streusel topping adds a delightful crunch, elevating your muffin experience. They are also super easy to whip up, requiring just 35 minutes from start to finish!
## How to Make Cranberry Orange Muffins with Streusel Topping
### Ingredients
#### For the Muffins:
– 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
– ¾ cup granulated sugar
– 1 tbsp baking powder
– ½ tsp salt
– ⅓ cup vegetable oil
– 1 large egg
– ¾ cup milk
– Zest of 1 orange
– 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
#### For the Streusel Topping:
– ½ cup all-purpose flour
– ⅓ cup brown sugar
– ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
– ½ tsp cinnamon
### Directions:
1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt for the muffins.
3. In another bowl, combine the oil, egg, milk, and orange zest.
4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
5. Gently fold in the cranberries.
6. In a separate bowl, prepare the streusel topping by mixing the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter until crumbly.
7. Divide the muffin batter evenly among the muffin cups.
8. Sprinkle the streusel topping generously over each muffin.
9. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
10. Allow the muffins to cool in the tin for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
## How to Serve Cranberry Orange Muffins with Streusel Topping
Serve these delicious muffins fresh and warm for breakfast, or pack them in your lunchbox for a mid-day snack. They go beautifully with a cup of tea or coffee.
## How to Store Cranberry Orange Muffins with Streusel Topping
Store these muffins in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll keep fresh for several days!
## Tips to Make Cranberry Orange Muffins with Streusel Topping
Avoid overmixing the muffin batter to ensure your muffins come out fluffy. Gently folding in the cranberries will keep them from breaking up and bleeding into the batter.
## Variation
For a fun variation, you might consider adding a spoonful of cream cheese in the center of each muffin before baking. Or sprinkle some chopped walnuts along with the streusel for an added crunch!
## FAQs
1. **Can I use dried cranberries instead of fresh or frozen ones?**
Yes, you certainly can. However, using fresh or frozen ones give better results as they’re juicier and tastier.
2. **Can I use orange extract in place of orange zest?**
Yes, you can. But, orange zest gives a fresher and more natural flavor to the muffin.
3. **How can I ensure that the streusel topping stays crumbly and does not become too wet or dry?**
Make sure your butter is adequately cooled before you mix it with the flour and sugar to make the streusel. It should be in a semi-solid state to get the perfect crumbly texture.
Deliciously moist, and bursting with flavors, our Cranberry Orange Muffins with Streusel Topping is sure to satiate your taste buds. Give this recipe a try…because a delicious treat is just a bake away! 🍊✨🧡