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Home » Recipes » Snack Ideas » Easy Cranberry Orange Muffins Recipe for Kids

Easy Cranberry Orange Muffins Recipe for Kids

By Krissy of B-Inspired Mama 4 Comments

Disclosure: This site contains affiliate links; as an affiliate and Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read my full disclosure policy for more information.

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A collage of 3 photos of the making of an easy Cranberry Orange Muffins Recipe. Photos include one of finished golden-brown Cranberry Orange Muffins, one of hands using a tool to zest an orange, and one of a hand pouring dried cranberries out of a measuring cup into a mixing bowl.
A collage of 3 photos of the making of an easy Cranberry Orange Muffins Recipe. Photos include one of finished golden-brown Cranberry Orange Muffins, one of hands using a tool to zest an orange, and one of a hand pouring dried cranberries out of a measuring cup into a mixing bowl.
A photo of golden-brown Cranberry Orange Muffins using an easy Cranberry Orange Muffins Recipe.
Disclosure: This “Cranberry Orange Muffins Recipe” blog post, sponsored by Ocean Spray, contains sponsored and affiliate links. As an affiliate and Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Please read my full disclosure policy for more information.

I have to admit… when I was a kid, I always passed on the cranberry sauce at the Thanksgiving table. That tin can-shaped mound of maroon looked less than appetizing. And, I let that cloud my judgment of everything cranberry for many years. But when I tried my first Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice Cocktail in my teens, my world opened to the bright taste of cranberry. And, I was hooked!

So, when Ocean Spray invited Priscilla and me to join them at New York City’s Rockefeller Center to celebrate the first day of Fall and the bicentennial of the first cultivated cranberry harvest, I was giddy with excitement. And, I’m excited to share our cranberry adventure with you.

Cranberry Learning + An Easy Cranberry Orange Muffins Recipe

But first, let me share the deliciousness our Ocean Spray adventure inspired… Cranberry Orange Muffins!

A photo of golden-brown Cranberry Orange Muffins using an easy Cranberry Orange Muffins Recipe.

Cranberry Orange Muffin Ingredients

Of course, the best orange cranberry muffins start with the best cranberries. But this cranberry muffin recipe make things super easy with flavor-packed dried cranberries. So, no need to worry about having fresh cranberries or frozen cranberries. This recipe uses dried cranberries (Ocean Spray calls theirs Craisins), which have more flavor and a longer storage life, too.

And, tart cranberries pair perfectly with another bright flavor… orange citrus! Some cranberry orange muffin recipes use fresh orange juice for the orange flavor, but this one takes it up a notch with bold orange zest instead.

Aside from the hero ingredients, you only need some pantry staples: 1 cup sugar, 2 sticks unsalted butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 2 large eggs, 1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour, 3/4 teaspoon baking soda, 3/4 teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 ¼ cup cup sour cream. (The sour cream makes them the perfect moist, rich texture!)

We skipped nuts with this muffin recipe, but you could add some walnuts or pecans if your family likes them. Just watch close while baking as they may alter baking time.


How to Make Cranberry Orange Muffins

The kids will love to help make cranberry orange muffins. Of course, measuring and pouring ingredients is always a great learning opportunity for kids. But this muffin recipe offers awesome sensory experiences, too.

A photo of hands using a kitchen zester tool to zest an orange over a large mixing bowl.

Have your kids notice the bright citrus scent while zesting the orange. Then, have them help rub the orange zest into the gritty sugar. Finally, have the kids help you check the cranberry muffins in the oven as they bake, using their eyes to check that they’re golden brown and using their nose to smell the delicious cranberry scent. 

A photo of golden muffins made with a Cranberry Orange Muffins Recipe.

And, my kids always love helping to run the stand mixer, too. The stand mixer makes things so much easier, but if you don’t have one, you can use a big old mixing bowl and a hand mixer or even just stir the batter real good with a whisk or rubber spatula.

We baked our batch of orange cranberry muffins in a standard muffin tin. But you could use a jumbo muffin pan to make jumbo muffins or a mini muffin pan to make mini muffins instead. You will just have to experiment a little with the total time in the oven.

Your Cranberry Orange Muffins are done when golden-brown and a toothpick poked in comes out clean. We used paper liners, but if you didn’t, transfer them from the muffin pan to a wire rack to cool fully.

These Cranberry Orange Muffins will stay fresh for around 4-5 days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. But, this muffin recipe freezes great, too; just put your muffins in the freezer in a 2-gallon freezer bag. Then, pull a couple out at a time and microwave them for a minute or so to thaw.


Full Cranberry Orange Muffins Recipe:

A photo of golden muffins made with a Cranberry Orange Muffins Recipe.

Easy Cranberry Orange Muffins Recipe

Make some delicious Cranberry Orange Muffins with the kids. They're the perfect sweet treat for a busy school morning breakfast or the kids' lunch box!
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Prep: 20 minutes mins
Cook: 20 minutes mins
Total Time: 40 minutes mins
Servings: 12 muffins
Cost: $11.00

Equipment

  • measuring cups
  • measuring spoons
  • prep bowl
  • lemon zester
  • stand mixer or mixing bowl and hand mixer
  • silicone spatula
  • silicone muffin pan or any muffin pan
  • cupcake liners

Ingredients

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • orange (for zest)
  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¾ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¾ teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1 ¼ cups sour cream
  • ¾ cup dried cranberries

Instructions

  • Measure 1 cup granulated sugar into a prep bowl. Add the zest of one orange to the sugar and use your fingers to rub the zest into the sugar and mix it together.
    A photo of hands using a kitchen zester tool to zest an orange over a large mixing bowl.
  • Add sugar mixture and 1 cup unsalted butter to the bowl of stand mixer, then mix on medium-high for around 3 minutes or until light and fluffy.
  • Add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and mix on medium-high until thoroughly incorporated.
  • Add 2 large eggs and mix on medium-high until thoroughly incorporated.
  • In separate mixing bowl, add 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour, ¾ teaspoon baking soda, ¾ teaspoon baking powder, and 1 pinch salt and stir until thoroughly combined.
  • Add half of flour mixture to the butter mixture in the mixer bowl and mix at low-medium speed for around 1 minute. Then add half of the 1 ¼ cups sour cream and mix at low-medium speed for around 1 minute. Repeat with remaining flour mixture and sour cream, then mix until thoroughly combined.
  • Fold the ¾ cup dried cranberries into batter in mixer bowl.
    Adding Ocean Spray Craisins Dried Cranberries to Orange Cranberry Muffins
  • Place cupcake liners in muffin pan, then scoop around 1/4 cup of batter into each muffin pan cup.
  • Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes or until muffin tops spring back when touched.
    A photo of golden muffins made with a Cranberry Orange Muffins Recipe.
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Course: Breakfast · Snack
Cuisine: Kid-Friendly

Now, Check Out Our Crazy-Fun Cranberry Learning in NYC

We had so much fun joining Ocean Spray in New York City. Ocean Spray set up a “Cranberry Classroom” for visitors to learn everything imaginable about the cranberry — complete with a 1,500 square foot cranberry bog right in the middle of Rockefeller Center!

Throughout the day, wandering tourists, local families, and NYC professionals chatted with real cranberry growers and experienced “The Most Beautiful Harvest” through virtual reality.

A photo of children sitting on a wooden bench watching a presentation by a standing woman. Beside her is a female cranberry bog farmer wearing tall hip waders and a baseball cap. In front of the scene is a red wheelbarrow and a sign reading "Ocean Spray Cranberry Classroom" Journey Back in Time through the Cranberry Vine." There are city buildings and many flags of different nations in the distant background.

When we visited the “Cranberry Classroom,” we were met with yummy cranberry snacks and treats, like celery sticks topped with cream cheese and Ocean Spray Craisins Dried Cranberries and turkey wraps with cranberry sauce for dipping

Then, Priscilla got to explore the taste, health, and heritage of cranberries through a series of super-fun educational activities.

A child and adult woman reach to put a label on a large display featuring a timeline and the title "The History of Cranberries." A female cranberry farmer, wearing tall hip waders and a baseball cap, looks on from the background.

First, Miss P entered “History Class” where she learned about the 200-year history of the cranberry.

Next, she made her way to “Technology Class” to experience a cranberry bog and cranberry harvesting through virtual reality.

A smiling child wearing hip waders with an Ocean Spray logo on the front of them. Others are trying on hip waders in the background.

Finally, Priscilla got to experience some hands-on “Heritage” learning by getting in some hip waders and heading into the Ocean Spray Cranberry Bog!

A smiling child, wearing hip waders with the Ocean Spray logo, stands in a makeshift cranberry bog with water half way up to her knees and cranberries floating on the surface. The child holds out her hands which are holding cranberries. A male cranberry farmer in hip waders stands behind the child looking on. And a crowd of people stand watching in the distance background.

I’m not sure I’ve ever seen her smile so big. She exclaimed, “I want to be a cranberry farmer when I grow up!”

A smiling child, wearing hip waders with the Ocean Spray logo, stands in a makeshift cranberry bog with water half way up to her knees and cranberries floating on the surface. The child holds out her hands which are holding cranberries. A crowd of people stand, mingling and watching, in the distance background.

A special thanks to Ocean Spray for inviting us to their “Cranberry Classroom” to learn more about the incredible cranberry!

A child, wearing hip waders with the Ocean Spray logo, stands in a makeshift cranberry bog with water half way up to her knees and cranberries floating on the surface, and uses a tool to move cranberries around on the surface of the water. A male cranberry farmer in hip waders stands behind the child looking on. And a crowd of people stand, mingling and watching, in the distance background.

Who knew there was so much learning to be had based on one simple berry? I encourage you to explore the history and science of cranberry harvesting with your kids! Then, try our yummy Orange Cranberry Muffins recipe afterward to make a sweet afternoon snack the kids will love!

A smiling child, wearing hip waders with the Ocean Spray logo, stands in a makeshift cranberry bog with water half way up to her knees and cranberries floating on the surface. Next to her stands a male cranberry farmer, also in hip waders with the Ocean Spray logo, with his hand on a sign about cranberry harvesting. A crowd of people stand, mingling and watching, in the distance background.

Cranberry Orange Muffin Ingredients & Supplies on Amazon:

Now, get the ingredients and tools you need to make your own Cranberry Orange Muffins right on Amazon…

Ocean Spray Craisins, Dried CranberriesOcean Spray Craisins, Dried CranberriesDomino Premium Pure Cane Granulated SugarDomino Premium Pure Cane Granulated SugarDavis Double Acting Baking PowderDavis Double Acting Baking PowderGold Medal All Purpose Flour, 3 LbGold Medal All Purpose Flour, 3 LbWatkins All Natural Original Gourmet Baking VanillaWatkins All Natural Original Gourmet Baking VanillaGefen Pure Baking Soda, 12ozGefen Pure Baking Soda, 12ozMorton Iodized SaltMorton Iodized SaltOXO Good Grips Etched ZesterOXO Good Grips Etched ZesterMixing Bowls and Baking Tools SetMixing Bowls and Baking Tools SetCUSIMAX Stand Mixer with 5-QT Stainless Steel Bowl, Tilt-Head Kitchen Electric MixerCUSIMAX Stand Mixer with 5-QT Stainless Steel Bowl, Tilt-Head Kitchen Electric MixerNon-Stick Silicone Muffin PanNon-Stick Silicone Muffin PanGifbera Bright Rainbow Standard Cupcake LinersGifbera Bright Rainbow Standard Cupcake Liners

 

And, find all of our favorite cooking and baking tools in B-Inspired Mama’s Amazon Shop: Fun Finds for Kids in the Kitchen


Like this Cranberry Orange Muffins Recipe? Then Save It & Share It!

A collage of 3 photos of the making of an easy Cranberry Orange Muffins Recipe. Photos include one of finished golden-brown Cranberry Orange Muffins, one of hands using a tool to zest an orange, and one of a hand pouring dried cranberries out of a measuring cup into a mixing bowl.

Don’t forget to save this blog post to come back to later. And share it with friends! Simply click on the buttons at the top or bottom of this post, or click here: Share on Facebook | Tweet It | Pin It | Email to a Friend


More Kid-Friendly Recipes from B-Inspired Mama:

  • Cute Citrus Sunshine Snack for Kids
  • White Chocolate Banana Muffins Recipe
  • Quick Bacon and Eggs Breakfast Muffins Recipe

Disclosure: This “Cranberry Orange Muffins Recipe” blog post, sponsored by Ocean Spray, contains sponsored and affiliate links. As an affiliate and Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Please read my full disclosure policy for more information.

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Filed Under: Recipes, Snack Ideas Tagged With: Cranberries, Fruit, Muffins, Oranges, Snacks

About Krissy of B-Inspired Mama

Former M.Ed Art Teacher. Current Blogger & Social Media Influencer. Always Crazy & Creative Mama of 3.

Previous Post: « Super Easy Candy Cane Peppermint Playdough Recipe
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. tanya says

    October 13, 2016 at 3:59 PM

    What a fun day! I bet it was a great experience! I am going to have to try those muffins, they look so good 🙂

    Reply
    • Krissy @ B-Inspired Mama says

      October 18, 2016 at 7:00 AM

      Oh, it really was! One she’ll never forget. Let me know if you try the recipe!

      Reply
  2. Antoinette says

    September 30, 2016 at 10:01 AM

    That little girl is so cute!

    Reply
    • Krissy @ B-Inspired Mama says

      October 1, 2016 at 10:42 AM

      Awe! Thank you. 🙂

      Reply

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