This recipe is a scrumptious solution to a puzzle I face every year: What to do with all the leftover cranberry sauce from Thanksgiving?
Active time:20 mins
Total time:40 mins, plus 15 mins cooling time
Servings:12 (makes 12 muffins)
But this year, I wanted to try something different, and remembering how much I enjoy bursts of the tart berry in baked goods led me to these muffins. A full cup of cranberry sauce is stirred right into the batter, infusing them with cranberry flavor. Using sauce made from whole cranberries ensures plenty of those crimson bursts throughout as well.
True to form as your trusty Nourish columnist, this recipe is more healthful, too, without sacrificing any of the tender, caky goodness we want from a muffin. I use whole wheat pastry flour, which is light and mild-tasting (you could substitute a mix of all-purpose and regular whole wheat flours,) along with almond flour for a boost of protein, healthy fat and subtle nutty flavor. (If you don’t have almond flour you can simply whir blanched almonds in the food processor until they are very finely ground.)
To sweeten the muffins, I employ one of my new favorite baking ingredients, date sugar, which is essentially finely ground dried dates. It looks and tastes similar to brown sugar — which you can use instead, with modifications noted in the recipe — but you get all the minerals and antioxidants inherent in the dried fruit, plus fiber. The muffins are also made with healthful oil, rather than butter.
Spiked with warmly fragrant orange zest and cinnamon and redolent with cranberries, these muffins are an edible reminder of the pleasures of the season. If you don’t typically have cranberry sauce left from the holiday, you’re going to want to make extra just to be able to bake them.
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Storage Notes: Leftover muffins can be stored in a container, with a lid slightly ajar, at room temperature for up to 3 days; sealing the container tightly may result in sticky muffins.
Where to Buy: Date sugar can be found at health food stores, well-stocked supermarkets and online. Whole wheat pastry flour can be found at well-stocked supermarkets and online.
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup (80 milliliters) grapeseed, safflower or another neutral oil, plus more for brushing pan
- 1 cup (120 grams) whole wheat pastry flour, or 1/2 cup (63 grams) each all-purpose and regular whole wheat flour
- 1/2 cup (60 grams) almond flour
- 3/4 cup (110 grams) date sugar or light brown sugar (see NOTE)
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea or table salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 cup (275 grams) prepared whole fruit cranberry sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon finely grated orange zest
- 3/4 cup (180 milliliters) whole or reduced-fat milk
- 1/2 cup (60 grams) chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
Step 1
Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees. Brush the wells of a 12-cup muffin pan with oil.
In a large bowl, whisk together the whole wheat flour, almond flour, date sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and baking soda until combined. In another large bowl, whisk together the oil and eggs until combined, then whisk in the cranberry sauce and orange zest until combined.
Step 2
Mix the dry ingredients into the wet in two batches, alternating with half the milk at a time, until just combined. Stir in the nuts, if using.
Step 3
Scoop the batter into the prepared muffin pan and bake for 18 to 21 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted in the center of one of the muffins comes out clean and they are golden brown. Let cool on a wire rack in the pan for 15 minutes, then run a knife or offset spatula around the muffins to loosen them and unmold. Let cool completely on a wire rack.
NOTE: If using brown sugar, increase the whole wheat pastry flour to 1 1/2 cups (180 grams), reduce the milk to 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) and whisk the brown sugar in with the liquid ingredients.
Nutrition Information
Per serving (1 muffin), using reduced-fat milk
Calories: 221 ; Total Fat: 10 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Cholesterol: 32 mg; Sodium: 206 mg; Carbohydrates: 31 g; Dietary Fiber: 2 g; Sugar: 17 g; Protein: 4 g
This analysis is an estimate based on available ingredients and this preparation. It should not substitute for a dietitian’s or nutritionist’s advice.
From registered nutritionist and cookbook author Ellie Krieger.
Tested by Olga Massov; email questions to voraciously@washpost.com.
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