Cranberry Apple Muffins

Perfectly moist and flavorful Cranberry Apple Muffins! Topped with a buttery streusel, these are great for breakfast, or to store in the freezer for a rainy day.

If you love today’s recipe, be sure to whip up a batch of our classic blueberry muffins. Or give our easy banana nut muffins a try soon.

Perfectly moist and flavorful Cranberry Apple Muffins. Topped with a buttery streusel, these are great for breakfast, or store them in the freezer for later!!


Why this Recipe Works

Cranberry and apple are a match made in heaven. The tart-and-sweet combo tastes extra delicious folded into fluffy muffins. Not to mention the beautiful pop of cranberry color in each one!

I love baking all kinds of muffin recipes and I especially love when I can create a coffee-shop style baked good at home!

These Cranberry Apple Muffins are amazing–even better than anything in the Starbucks pastry case.

  • The base is a sweet, moist muffin with a great crumb and texture.
  • I added in some fresh diced apples and some frozen cranberries.
  • The topping is a buttery streusel that adds a delicious crunch with every bite!

Whenever I go through the effort to make muffins from scratch, I try to make a BIG batch to make it even more worth it. This recipe makes 24 muffins, so you’ll have plenty to enjoy, share or freeze for future muffin cravings.

These are perfect for fall, Thanksgiving and Christmas brunch but of course you can enjoy them anytime of year!

Perfectly moist and flavorful Cranberry Apple Muffins. Topped with a buttery streusel, these are great for breakfast, or store them in the freezer for later!!

Ingredient Notes

  • Cranberries – You can use fresh or frozen cranberries!
  • Apples – Remove the peels and dice apples into small pieces before using in the recipe.
  • Buttermilk- Store bought or use my recipe for Homemade Buttermilk.
Perfectly moist and flavorful Cranberry Apple Muffins. Topped with a buttery streusel, these are great for breakfast, or store them in the freezer for later!!

Step by Step Instructions

STEP 1. Muffin batter

Beat the butter with the sugar, eggs and extracts in a large bowl. Add the dry ingredients and mix while slowly drizzling in the buttermilk. Continue mixing for a few minutes to make a fluffy batter.

Fold in the diced apples and cranberries, then spoon the batter into a greased muffin tin.

STEP 2. Streusel

Combine all ingredients for the topping in a small bowl with your hands. Sprinkle the crumbly mixture over the tops of the unbaked muffins.

STEP 3. Bake

Bake the muffins in a preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of one of the muffins comes out clean (about 20 minutes).

Let the muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then remove them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Store the cranberry muffins in an airtight container or cake saver at room temperature for up to a few days. They’re perfect with your morning coffee!

Recipe FAQs

How do you freeze Apple Cranberry Muffins?

I like to freeze mine in Ziploc bags. Then, you can remove as many muffins as you need without having to thaw all of them.

Can you use fresh or canned cranberries instead?

I wouldn’t. The texture and water content of fresh vs. frozen is different and will affect the taste of the muffins. Canned cranberries are usually cooked with added syrups or sweeteners so those won’t work either.

Can this recipe be made in a loaf pan?

Yes, you can bake this in a 9 x 5 or 8 x 4 loaf pan, you’ll just need to add some additional baking time.

Perfectly moist and flavorful Cranberry Apple Muffins. Topped with a buttery streusel, these are great for breakfast, or store them in the freezer for later!!

More Apple Recipes

  • Apple Shortbread Bars: hands down these delicious cookie bars are one of my favorite treats!!
  • Apple Crumble: a classic dessert topped with ice cream. It doesn’t get much better than this!!
  • Apple Blondies: looking for something different, yet amazing? These blondies are chewy, sweet, and topped with frosting. OMG YUM!!

More Muffin Recipes

See all Muffins recipes

Cranberry Apple Muffins

4.58 from 7 votes
By: Aimee
Perfectly moist and flavorful Cranberry Apple Muffins! Topped with a buttery streusel, these are great for breakfast, or to store in the freezer for a rainy day.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 22 minutes
Total Time: 37 minutes
Servings: 24 muffins

Ingredients 

For the muffins:

  • ¾ cup unsalted butter softened
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 ½ cup frozen cranberries
  • 1 cup apples sliced, peeled, and diced

For the streusel:

  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup light brown sugar packed
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter softened
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Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray muffin tin with baking spray. Set aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl, beat butter, eggs, vanilla extract, almond extract and sugar until well blended. Add in flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. While beating this in, slowly add buttermilk. Once added, beat for 2-3 minutes, until batter is fluffy. Fold in cranberries and diced apples.
  • Spoon muffin batter into muffin tins, about 2/3 full.
  • In a small bowl, combined streusel ingredients with hands. The mixture should become a crumbly topping. Sprinkle generously over muffins, using a knife to slightly tap or swirl some of the mixture into the muffin batter.
  • Bake muffins for 20-22 minutes, until toothpick in center comes out clean. Remove from oven and cool in pans 5 minutes.
  • Remove from pans and cool on wire rack. Store in airtight container (or cake saver) for several days. Or freeze in ziploc until ready to enjoy.

Notes

  • I like to freeze mine in Ziploc bags. Then, you can remove as many muffins as you need without having to thaw all of them.
  • I wouldn’t use fresh cranberries. The texture and water content of fresh vs. frozen is different and will affect the taste of the muffins. Canned cranberries are usually cooked with added syrups or sweeteners so those won’t work either.
  • You can bake this in a 9 x 5 or 8 x 4 loaf pan, you’ll just need to add some additional baking time.

Nutrition

Calories: 207kcal, Carbohydrates: 30g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 9g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 44mg, Sodium: 81mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 18g
Course: Muffins
Cuisine: American
Did you make this recipe?Mention @shugarysweets or tag #shugarysweets!

Seasonal fruit flavor meets buttery crumb topping in these perfect Cranberry Apple Muffins! These moist and sweet breakfast treats smell amazing while they’re baking and taste even better. I can’t wait for you to try them!



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About Aimee

Aimee is a dessert lover (specifically rice krispie treats), workout enthusiast, self-taught foodie, and recipe creator.

Learn more about Aimee.

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Posted on July 20, 2015

Comments & Reviews

  1. I just returned from my 3 mile walk because you are right we need to take care of our bodies. I love these muffins. I have made ALL of your biscotti recipes and each one is better than the last.
    I have not been receiving my subscribed e-mails lately, but when I try to re-subscribe the message says I already am registered. Is there a problem?
    I am way older than 40 and I am still waiting for the wisdom phase! As a senior, I look back, as you have, and see the mistakes made. Life is a challenge. I will also pray for your son in the armed forces. Keep bird watching, I know I enjoy it too!

    1. Oooh that reminds me I need to make a new biscotti recipe. I’ve got a couple ideas floating in my head. As for the emails, I’m not sure what’s wrong. Spam folder maybe? Thank you for the prayers for my son 🙂

  2. You are a wise woman, my friend! Love your tips and LOVE these muffins even more!

  3. I still can’t believe you have kids old enough to be 18!! You look seriously young. And these muffins look seriously awesome! I’m loving the advice in this post 🙂

  4. Aimee!! First off, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! and no, you know what. . age is a state of mind. I am also in my early 40s and still feel like I’m in the late 20s ..  and am probably in the best shape ever . . celebrate 42 and work it! 🙂 and YES to sunscreen and moisturizer daily!!! OH MY GAWD, if only I knew then what I know now, I would not have spent so much time in the sun when I was younger! OK, I LOVE these muffins!!! I love the cranberry + apple combo!!! they look delicious! And I can’t wait to hang out with you and Jocelyn and the others in Kohler, WI in October. . you’re going right?! 

  5. Oh, wise one, I love your truths. So true! Preach it sista. And I really love these muffins! 

  6. Hi Amy, Happy Birthday! I love your blog! 42 is young. This 55 year old senior citizen can attest to that. LOL. I love to bird watch, too. Your blog today made me smile and laugh. Praying that all goes well with your son in this new phase of his life. Have a great week!

    1. Awww thank you so much Lisa!! And thank you for the prayers for my son 🙂 Have a great day!!

  7. These look fantastic! They have me in the mood for fall…which needs to get here ASAP!

  8. Oh, the days of laying out in the sun with my hair drenched in sun in!  Some things you just have to do and learn from your mistakes…glad I learned my lesson quick from that crazy sun in product.  Although I still enjoy laying out in the sun and soaking in the warmth. My wrinkles don’t love it as much though!  I love this fun post of life tips! And these muffins looks so good!  Love the cranberries and streusel paired with apple goodness!

  9. And now I’m on the hunt for those apples with low fat caramel! YESSSSSS. Also peeled apples in a bag = genius.

  10. Actually, oatmeal isn’t really any healthier than muffins and other baked so you might as well go for the yummy treats!

  11. Uhh did you say… buttery crumble?  Hello new favorite thing EVER!  I wish I could have one of these right now!   I have to admit, I love when my face gets some sun.  I love sitting out in the warm sun, and looking like I wasn’t a vampire all year, haha.  BUT, I do want that healthy skin when I’m older!  I promise… I will start wearing some sun screen 🙂

  12. Haha. YES. I remember thinking 30 sounded old. Now I’m 45 and it doesn’t seem like it. Well, maybe some days. Lol. I agree with all of your life lessons. And what I’ve learned is that I need these muffins in my life!

  13. Apples and cranberries are the perfect combination. Can’t wait to make these with the apples we grow here on our farm.

  14. Excellent life advice, Aimee. Besides, 40 is the new 30, so no worries. If you sleep and moisturize and exercise and eat chocolate, it’s all good!
    These will go perfectly with your coffee, too!

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