Cranberry Muffins RecipeMake this cranberry muffins recipe during the holiday season as gifts for teachers, coworkers, neighbors, friends, or family. 
Ingredients:1 cup fresh cranberries, chopped 1/3 cup granulatedsugar plus 4 tablespoons, divided 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, refrigerated 3/4 cup orange juice 1 tablespoon orange rind, optional 1 egg, lightly beaten 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 tablespoons butter, melted Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly grease 12 standard size muffin cups; or line with paper pleated baking cups. Combine cranberries and 1 tablespoon sugar in a small bowl. In a larger bowl, combine flour, 1/3 cup sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut in 1/2 cup refrigerated butter with a pastry blender or two knives until mixture is crumbly. Stir in orange juice, egg, orange rind, and vanilla just until ingredients are moistened. Fold in cranberry mixture. Divide batter evenly into prepared muffin cups. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool in pan for five minutes; remove from pan. Dip tops of muffins in melted butter and sprinkle with remaining 3 tablespoons sugar. This cranberry muffins recipe makes 12 muffins |