Cranberry Orange Muffins

Step 1

Preheat oven to 375 F. Line a muffin pan with paper liners.

Step 2

Zest one whole orange (making about 1 Tablespoon of zest) and set aside.

Step 3

Squeeze the juice from that one orange (about 1/3 cup).

Step 4

Put the orange juice (if needed, add some prepared orange juice to the fresh juice to make 1/3 cup) and the cranberries in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer. Simmer about 5 minutes, stirring as needed. Turn off heat and set aside.

Step 5

In a large bowl add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and ginger, and set aside.

Step 6

In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream the butter, orange zest and sugar until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes).

Step 7

Scrape down the side of the bowl, then add in the eggs (one at a time), vanilla, orange extract, and oil. Blend until well combined.

Step 8

Add the flour mixture, alternating with the milk (add about half of the flour mixture, then some milk,then the rest of the flour, and the rest of the milk). Fold in the cranberries. Do not over mix.

Step 9

Scoop batter into prepared muffin/cupcake pan.

Step 10

Bake muffins about 20 minutes (test with a toothpick, there should be moist crumbs, but not wet).

Step 11

Cool muffins on a wire cooling rack.