Vegan Orange Cranberry Muffins

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Vegan orange cranberry muffins — a great way to start the day. They’re fluffy, moist, and packed with orange and cranberry flavors for that perfect balance of tart and sweet.

Orange and cranberries are a classic holiday flavor combo. These vegan orange cranberry muffins will make your morning coffee extra special! Make them for breakfast, brunch, or as an afternoon snack. They’re super easy to throw together and they freeze beautifully too so you can save some time on busy mornings.

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Muffins are perfect for breakfast, especially in the winter when it’s cold and you want something warm to start your day. These vegan orange cranberry muffins will satisfy even the pickiest eater with their delicious flavor combinations. Fresh orange zest and dried cranberries give them that classic tart-sweetness and holiday flavor. Top off this healthy treat with pure maple syrup for an extra burst of flavor or try adding an orange glaze or some vegan cream cheese frosting to really tantalize your taste buds!

Why You’ll Love These Moist Cranberry Orange Muffins

If you’re looking for a reason to make these decadent and delicious muffins, let me convince you!

• They’re light and fluffy
• They’re totally vegan, so they’re friendly for lots of different diets
• They’re sweet but not over-the-top sweet
• They’re kid-friendly
• They’re an easy breakfast when you’re rushing out the door this holiday season – just make a couple of batches ahead of time!

Equipment Needed to Make Orange Cranberry Muffins

You only need a few things that you probably already have in your kitchen (affiliate links):

• a muffin tin
• muffin liners (cupcake liners)
• non-stick cooking spray

You don’t need both the liners and the spray; either one will suffice for keeping your muffins from sticking to your muffin tin.

Ingredients for Vegan Orange Cranberry Muffins

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice (store-bought orange juice is okay too)
• ½ cup unsweetened apple sauce
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 1 tbsp orange zest

How to Make Vegan Orange Cranberry Muffins

Step 1 – Get Your Oven and Pan Ready

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Fill a 12-count muffin tin with liners or spray the cups with non-stick cooking spray.

Step 2 – Mix Your Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk all your dry ingredients together: flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

Step 3 – Add Your Wet Ingredients

Add the orange juice and apple sauce. Mix until the batter is well combined and smooth. Do not overmix.

Step 4 – Fold in Cranberries and Orange Zest

Fold in the dried cranberries and orange zest, taking care not to overmix.

Step 5 – Fill the Muffin Cups

Fill the muffin liners or muffin tins about 3/4 full each. You can use a pastry bag or zip-top bag with the corner cut off to make this easier. Then, add a few cranberries on top of each muffin and sprinkle with additional sugar.

Step 6 – Bake the Cranberry Orange Muffins

Bake the muffins for 18-20 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center of a muffin. If it comes out clean, your muffins are done.

Step 7 – Cool the Muffins

Let the muffins cool on a cooling rack for about 5 minutes. Enjoy!

What to Serve with Cranberry Orange Muffins

These orange cranberry muffins are great for breakfast or brunch along with our orange cranberry scones (not vegan). Yum!

You could also slice the warm muffins in half and slather on some vegan butter, vegan cream cheese, or orange marmalade for an extra burst of orange flavor.

Popular Substitutions and Additions

Vegan orange cranberry muffins are so yummy with an orange glaze drizzled on top. Just mix about a cup of powdered sugar with 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed orange juice. Use a spoon to drizzle the glaze over the muffins.

You could also add some chopped walnuts to this recipe (about 1/4 cup) for a little bit of crunch.

How to Store Vegan Cranberry Orange Muffins

Best Way to Store Eggless Cranberry Muffins

Store homemade muffins at room temperature for up to 3 days, in the refrigerator up to a week, or in the freezer for several months.

How Long Will Vegan Orange Muffins Last in the Fridge?

These muffins will hold up well in the fridge for about a week. If you like your muffins warm, just reheat them 15 seconds at a time in the microwave. If you enjoy a cold muffin, just pop it out of the fridge and go.

Can I Freeze Vegan Cranberry Orange Muffins?

Yes, you can freeze these muffins. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap, then put them in a zip-top bag and put them in the freezer for up to three months. To thaw a muffin, just put it in the fridge overnight.

Cranberry Orange Vegan Muffins FAQs

Is the Orange Zest Necessary in This Recipe?

Yes, it is. I know some people think it’s a pain to zest an orange, but it only takes a few seconds, and the oils from the orange zest really add to the flavor.

Can I Use Orange Juice from a Carton or Jug Instead of Fresh Orange Juice?

Sure! Freshly squeezed orange juice is just a preference. Use whatever you have on hand.

Other Muffin Recipes You’ll Love

• Christmas Morning Muffins
• Pumpkin Muffins
• Blueberry Muffins
• Banana Nut Muffins
• Oatmeal Raisin Muffins

More Cranberry Recipes for the Holidays

• Cranberry Moscow Mule
• Cranberry Apple Parfait
• Cranberry Raisin Monkey Bread

Don’t forget to let us know how your vegan orange cranberry muffins turned out!