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A close-up of a golden-brown Panera Cranberry Orange Muffin with visible bits of red fruit sits on a metal cooling rack, with more muffins blurred in the background.

Panera Cranberry Orange Muffins Copycat Recipe

These homemade cranberry orange muffins pair tart cranberries with fresh orange juice and zest. This easy Panera-inspired recipe is a simple choice for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon snack.

Course Breakfast, Muffins
Cuisine American
Keyword Copycat Panera Cranberry Orange Muffin, Panera Cranberry Orange Muffin
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 12
Author momma lew

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups of all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup cranberries
  • ½ cup of white sugar
  • ¼ cup of unsalted butter melted
  • ¼ cup of fresh orange juice
  • ¼ cup milk
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons of baking powder
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Zest of one orange
  • A pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Pre heat oven to 375 degrees F and line a regular muffin pan with paper liners or lightly grease it.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Stir until they are well combined.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted butter, fresh orange juice, milk, eggs, vanilla extract, and orange zest.
  4. Mix until the wet ingredients are thoroughly combined.
  5. Slowly add the wet mixture to the flour mixture, stirring until just combined.
  6. Be careful not to overmix, as it can make the muffins dense.
  7. Gently fold in the dried cranberries with a wooden spoon until they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
  8. Spoon batter into the prepared muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full to allow for proper rising and even baking.
  9. ​Add a few juicy cranberries to the top of the muffins. 
  10. Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven for a bake time of approximately 18-20 minutes until golden brown or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
  11. Remove the muffins from the oven and allow them to cool in the tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

How to Store and Freeze Cranberry Orange Muffins

At room temperature: Let the muffins cool completely, then place them in an airtight container lined with a paper towel. Enjoy within two days for the best texture.

In the freezer: Wrap cooled muffins individually and place them in a freezer bag or airtight container. Freeze for up to three months.

To reheat: Thaw wrapped muffins at room temperature. Remove the wrapping and warm an individual muffin in the microwave in short intervals until heated through.