Leftover Cranberry Sauce Coffee Cake Muffins

If you ever find yourself with extra cranberry sauce after the holidays, you’re going to love this recipe. These Leftover Cranberry Sauce Coffee Cake Muffins turn that sweet-tart goodness into moist, flavorful muffins that are perfect for breakfast, an afternoon pick-me-up, or a cozy snack. With a tender crumb and a delightful crumb topping that balances the bright cranberry notes, these muffins are a delightful way to breathe new life into your holiday leftovers while impressing your family and friends any time of year.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Simple but special: Uses leftover cranberry sauce to create a unique, flavorful muffin without any waste.
• Perfect balance: Sweet and tart cranberries blend perfectly with a cinnamon-spiced crumb topping.
• Quick and easy: Minimal ingredients and straightforward steps mean you’ll have fresh muffins in no time.
• Versatile snack: Works as a breakfast treat or midday snack that pairs wonderfully with coffee or tea.
• Kid-friendly: The natural sweetness and softness make these muffins a hit with picky eaters.

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients keep the muffins tender, moist, and flavorful while letting the cranberry sauce shine through. Each element has a purpose—from enriching the batter to creating that perfect crumb topping.

• Leftover cranberry sauce: Adds a burst of sweet-tart flavor and moist texture to the muffin batter.
• All-purpose flour: Gives structure to the muffins and keeps them light and fluffy.
• Sugar: Enhances sweetness and helps balance the tart cranberries.
• Baking powder and baking soda: Provide lift and ensure a tender crumb.
• Ground cinnamon: Warms up the flavor profile and pairs beautifully with cranberry.
• Salt: Intensifies all the other flavors and prevents the muffins from tasting flat.
• Vegetable oil or melted butter: Keeps the muffins moist and adds richness.
• Egg: Binds ingredients and gives structure.
• Milk or buttermilk: Adds moisture and tenderness, keeping the muffins light.
• Vanilla extract: Adds a subtle, aromatic sweetness that complements the cranberries.
• Brown sugar: For the crumb topping sweetness and slight caramel tone.
• Cinnamon for topping: Adds to the classic coffee cake flavor.
• Butter for topping: Creates a crumbly, melt-in-your-mouth topping texture.
• Flour for topping: Binds the crumb topping together into little clusters.

Variations for Leftover Cranberry Sauce Coffee Cake Muffins

Feel free to customize your muffins to suit your taste or dietary needs. These variations are easy and add new dimensions to the classic recipe, letting you get creative with what you have on hand.

• Nutty addition: Toss in chopped walnuts or pecans for a pleasing crunch and nutty flavor in both the batter and topping.
• Gluten-free option: Swap the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to accommodate dietary restrictions.
• Vegan version: Use flaxseed “eggs” and a non-dairy milk alternative, and substitute butter with coconut oil or vegan margarine.
• Orange zest twist: Add fresh orange zest to the batter for a bright, citrusy note that complements cranberry perfectly.
• Spiced up: Add a pinch of nutmeg or ginger to the batter for a more complex spice profile.

How to Make Leftover Cranberry Sauce Coffee Cake Muffins

Step 1: Prepare your oven and muffin tin

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a standard 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease each cup well to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Mix the dry ingredients

In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Whisk these together so the spices and leavening agents are evenly distributed throughout the flour.

Step 3: Combine wet ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, vegetable oil or melted butter, milk or buttermilk, and vanilla extract. This mixture should be smooth and slightly thick.

Step 4: Incorporate cranberry sauce

Stir the leftover cranberry sauce into the wet ingredients until well combined. This adds moisture and bursts of tart, fruity flavor throughout the muffins.

Step 5: Combine wet and dry mixtures

Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients, gently folding with a spatula until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep those muffins tender and fluffy.

Step 6: Prepare the crumb topping

Mix together brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and cold butter cut into small pieces until the mixture forms coarse crumbs. This topping will add the signature coffee cake crunch and sweetness.

Step 7: Fill and top muffin cups

Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups, filling them about three-quarters full. Sprinkle the crumb topping over each muffin generously.

Step 8: Bake until golden

Bake in the preheated oven for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached.

Step 9: Cool and enjoy

Allow the muffins to cool in the tin for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, or enjoy warm if you prefer!

Pro Tips for Making Leftover Cranberry Sauce Coffee Cake Muffins

• Use fresh cranberry sauce: Homemade or store-bought both work, but fruit-packed sauces create the best flavor.
• Don’t overmix: Stir batter just enough to combine ingredients for tender muffins.
• Room temperature ingredients: Use room temp eggs and dairy for a smooth, even batter.
• Check baking time: Ovens vary, so start checking muffins around minute 18 to avoid dryness.
• Reserve some crumb topping: Save a pinch to sprinkle after baking for extra texture and crunch.

How to Serve Leftover Cranberry Sauce Coffee Cake Muffins

Garnishes

For an extra special touch, dust the muffins lightly with powdered sugar or drizzle a thin vanilla glaze over the crumb topping to add sweetness and visual appeal.

Side Dishes

These muffins pair wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee, tea, or even a creamy latte. Serve alongside fresh fruit or a yogurt parfait for a well-rounded breakfast or snack.

Creative Ways to Present

Place muffins in a rustic basket lined with a festive napkin for a charming holiday snack or stack a few on a decorative plate with sprigs of rosemary and cranberries for a beautiful fall or winter centerpiece treat.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain freshness and moisture.

Freezing

Wrap individual muffins tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, then store in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or overnight in the fridge.

Reheating

Warm muffins in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes to revive their soft texture and fresh-baked warmth.

FAQs

Can I use canned cranberry sauce instead of homemade?

Yes! Canned cranberry sauce works perfectly and is a convenient option that still results in delicious muffins.

What if my cranberry sauce is too bitter or tart?

Adjust the sugar slightly in the batter to balance tartness, or add a bit more crumb topping to add sweetness and texture contrast.

Can I make these muffins gluten-free?

Absolutely. Use a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend designed for baking, and your muffins will turn out just as tasty.

Are these muffins suitable for freezing?

Yes, these muffins freeze very well and can be reheated easily without losing their texture or flavor.

Can I substitute buttermilk with regular milk?

Regular milk works fine; for added tenderness, add a teaspoon of lemon juice or vinegar to regular milk and let it sit for 5 minutes before using as a buttermilk substitute.

Final Thoughts

These Leftover Cranberry Sauce Coffee Cake Muffins are a delightful way to transform your holiday leftovers into something fresh and irresistible. They’re easy to make, customizable, and downright delicious—ideal for sharing with friends or sneaking one for yourself during a cozy morning. Give this recipe a try and watch how fast those leftovers disappear!

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