Cranberry Banana Muffins: A Perfect Blend of Sweet and Tart

Welcome to my food blog! Today, I’m excited to share a delightful muffin recipe that combines the sweetness of ripe bananas with the tartness of cranberries: Cranberry Banana Muffins. These moist and flavorful muffins are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as a wholesome snack any time of day. Bursting with fruity goodness and packed with wholesome ingredients, these muffins are sure to become a family favorite. Let’s dive into the recipe!

Why You’ll Love Cranberry Banana Muffins

These Cranberry Banana Muffins are:

  • Moist and Tender: Thanks to the addition of ripe bananas, these muffins are incredibly moist and tender, with a soft crumb that melts in your mouth.
  • Perfectly Balanced: The combination of sweet bananas and tangy cranberries creates a harmonious balance of flavors that’s both satisfying and delicious.
  • Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and straightforward instructions, this recipe is perfect for beginner and experienced bakers alike.
  • Customizable: Feel free to add your own twist to these muffins by incorporating nuts, chocolate chips, or other dried fruits for extra texture and flavor.

Ingredients

To make these delicious Cranberry Banana Muffins, you’ll need:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 3 ripe bananas, mashed
  • 1/2 cup plain yogurt or sour cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries, coarsely chopped

Kitchen Equipment Needed

  • Muffin tin
  • Muffin liners
  • Mixing bowls
  • Electric mixer or hand whisk
  • Fork or potato masher for mashing bananas

Directions

  1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a muffin tin with paper liners or grease it with non-stick cooking spray.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon until well combined. Set aside.
  3. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, using an electric mixer or a hand whisk.
  4. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract until smooth.
  5. Mash Bananas: In a separate bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork or potato masher until smooth.
  6. Combine Wet Ingredients: Add the mashed bananas and plain yogurt or sour cream to the butter mixture, stirring until well combined.
  7. Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
  8. Fold in Cranberries: Gently fold in the chopped cranberries until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
  9. Fill Muffin Cups: Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin cups, filling each cup about three-quarters full.
  10. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
  11. Cool and Serve: Allow the Cranberry Banana Muffins to cool in the muffin tin for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy warm or at room temperature!

Tips and Tricks

  • Use Ripe Bananas: The key to flavorful and moist banana muffins is using ripe bananas with plenty of brown spots. They will be sweeter and easier to mash, adding natural sweetness and moisture to the muffins.
  • Adjust Sweetness: If you prefer sweeter muffins, you can increase the amount of granulated sugar in the recipe or add a sprinkle of coarse sugar on top of the muffins before baking.
  • Storage: Store any leftover Cranberry Banana Muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They can also be frozen for longer storage. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

Serving Suggestions

These Cranberry Banana Muffins are delicious on their own, but you can also try serving them with:

  • Butter or Cream Cheese: Spread warm muffins with butter or cream cheese for an extra indulgent treat.
  • Honey or Jam: Drizzle muffins with honey or spread them with your favorite jam for a touch of sweetness.
  • Hot Beverage: Enjoy a muffin with a hot cup of coffee, tea, or hot cocoa for a cozy and comforting snack.

FAQs

Q: Can I use frozen cranberries instead of fresh?
A: Yes, you can use frozen cranberries in this recipe. Simply thaw them before chopping and folding them into the batter.

Q: Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?
A: Yes, you can substitute whole wheat flour

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