Christmas and Cranberry Nut Muffins

It's (finally) beginning to feel a lot like Christmas. There's snow outside, for the first time since Halloween. I'm at my parents' house where there is a real, live, fully decorated Christmas tree and little bits of Christmas tucked everywhere. My Christmas presents are finally all purchased and wrapped. There's been Christmas music on all day, and we're headed to our family's annual Christmas Eve party in just a few minutes.

It's about time. Despite how long stores have been selling Christmas for, it took me much longer to really feel it this year.

These muffins, though, always make me feel festive. Unlike some muffins, with just a few mix-ins, these are just filled with goodies. You'll get cranberries and walnuts in every bite. There's just the right amount of sweet and tangy in each muffin.

I hope your Christmases are merry and bright!




Nancy's Cranberry Nut Muffins

This recipe yields 24 muffins. They freeze nicely. They're delicious heated up and topped with a little butter.

Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons nutmeg
1 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup orange juice
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons grated orange peel
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 1/2 cup walnuts
1 1/2 cup cranberries

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a muffin tin in advance (either greasing the tin or using muffin liners).

In a medium bowl, combine all dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg and sugar). Add wet ingredients, stirring until combined. Add the nuts and cranberries at the end.

Bake the muffins for 25 minutes.