Panera Cranberry Orange Muffins (Recipe Card)
Recreate the bakery magic at home, blending the zesty citrus of orange with the sweet tanginess of cranberries. Enjoy these moist and flavorful muffins that bring a taste of Panera to your morning routine.
Servings: 12 muffins
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh cranberries (or frozen, not thawed)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Zest of 1 orange (or 2 tablespoons lemon juice)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional)
- Optional: 1 tablespoon almond or coconut flour for a healthy twist
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (190°C) and line a muffin tin with paper liners.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the melted butter, eggs, whole milk, and orange zest (or lemon juice).
- Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until just combined. The batter will be thick and a bit lumpy.
- Optional: If using fresh cranberries, toss them in 2 tablespoons of flour before adding them to the batter to prevent sinking.
- Gently fold in the cranberries until evenly distributed in the batter.
- Divide the batter equally among the muffin cups.
- Bake at 425°F for 5 minutes, then reduce the heat to 350°F and finish baking
- Bake for approximately 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- While the muffins are cooling, prepare the orange glaze by mixing powdered sugar with a tablespoon of orange juice until smooth.
- Once the muffins have cooled, drizzle the orange glaze over the top.
Notes
- For a twist, consider adding a dash of cinnamon or a sprinkle of nutmeg to the batter.
- Experiment with different flours like almond or coconut for a unique flavor.
- Serve the muffins with fresh fruit, Greek yogurt, or as a sweet accompaniment to a savory salad.
- Use just enough melted butter for flavor and moisture.
- Gently mix wet and dry ingredients; avoid overmixing to prevent dense, dry muffins.