Christmas Muffin Recipes To Try This Holiday Season

The holiday season is upon us, and what better way to get into the festive spirit than by baking some delicious Christmas muffins? The aroma of freshly baked muffins wafting from the oven is sure to put a smile on everyone's face. In this article, we'll explore some mouth-watering Christmas muffin recipes to try this holiday season.

Christmas muffins are a great way to spread some holiday cheer. They're perfect for breakfast, as a snack, or even as a dessert. You can customize them with your favorite festive flavors and decorations, making them a fun and creative activity for the whole family. Whether you're a seasoned baker or a beginner, we've got you covered with some easy-to-follow recipes that are sure to impress.

Classic Cranberry Orange Muffins

These classic cranberry orange muffins are a staple of the holiday season. The combination of fresh cranberries and orange zest creates a deliciously tangy flavor that's perfect for Christmas morning.

Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup milk
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• 1 tablespoon orange juice

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, milk, eggs, and orange zest.
4. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until just combined.
5. Gently fold in cranberries and orange juice.
6. Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups.
7. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.

Tips and Variations

• Use fresh or frozen cranberries for the best flavor.
• Substitute orange zest with lemon zest for a different twist.
• Add a sprinkle of granulated sugar on top of the muffins before baking for a crunchy topping.

Chocolate Peppermint Muffins

These chocolate peppermint muffins are a delicious and festive treat for the holiday season. The combination of rich chocolate and refreshing peppermint creates a flavor combination that's sure to impress.

Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup milk
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 1/4 cup crushed candy canes (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, milk, eggs, and peppermint extract.
4. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until just combined.
5. Melt the chocolate chips in a double boiler or in the microwave in 30-second increments, stirring between each interval until smooth.
6. Fold the melted chocolate into the batter until well combined.
7. Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups.
8. Sprinkle with crushed candy canes, if desired.
9. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.

Tips and Variations

• Use high-quality chocolate chips for the best flavor.
• Substitute peppermint extract with vanilla extract for a different twist.
• Add a sprinkle of crushed candy canes on top of the muffins before baking for a festive touch.

Pumpkin Spice Muffins

These pumpkin spice muffins are a delicious and seasonal treat for the holiday season. The combination of pumpkin puree, cinnamon, and nutmeg creates a warm and comforting flavor that's perfect for Christmas morning.

Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup milk
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, milk, eggs, pumpkin puree, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
4. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until just combined.
5. Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups.
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.

Tips and Variations

• Use canned pumpkin puree for convenience.
• Substitute cinnamon with ginger for a different twist.
• Add a sprinkle of granulated sugar on top of the muffins before baking for a crunchy topping.

Gingerbread Muffins

These gingerbread muffins are a classic holiday treat that's perfect for Christmas morning. The combination of molasses, ginger, and cinnamon creates a warm and spicy flavor that's sure to impress.

Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup milk
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons molasses
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, milk, eggs, molasses, ginger, and cinnamon.
4. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until just combined.
5. Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups.
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.

Tips and Variations

• Use high-quality molasses for the best flavor.
• Substitute ginger with nutmeg for a different twist.
• Add a sprinkle of granulated sugar on top of the muffins before baking for a crunchy topping.

We hope you've enjoyed these Christmas muffin recipes and are inspired to try them out this holiday season. Whether you're a seasoned baker or a beginner, these recipes are sure to impress your family and friends. So go ahead, get baking, and make this Christmas one to remember!