Leftover Cranberry Sauce Coffee Cake Muffins

If you’re looking for a delicious way to use up leftover cranberry sauce, these Leftover Cranberry Sauce Coffee Cake Muffins are the perfect solution. These muffins are soft, buttery, and packed with tangy cranberry sauce, all topped off with a sweet, crunchy streusel crumb. Whether you’re serving them as a breakfast treat the morning after Thanksgiving or sharing them with guests, these muffins are sure to impress.

Why You’ll Love Leftover Cranberry Sauce Coffee Cake Muffins

These Leftover Cranberry Sauce Coffee Cake Muffins are the ideal way to transform your Thanksgiving leftovers into a delightful breakfast. With their soft crumb, the slight tang from the cranberry sauce, and a buttery streusel topping, these muffins feel like a bakery treat made at home. They are easy to whip up, and the family will love them more than eating cranberry sauce straight from the jar. Plus, they pair perfectly with a hot cup of coffee for that cozy morning vibe.

Ingredients for Leftover Cranberry Sauce Coffee Cake Muffins

To make these scrumptious muffins, you’ll need the following ingredients. Each plays a key role in creating a soft, rich, and flavorful muffin with just the right amount of sweetness.

For the Crumb Topping:

• Flour: Provides structure to the crumb topping.
• Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness and a slight molasses flavor.
• Cinnamon and Cardamom: These spices bring warmth and a hint of floral sweetness.
• Butter: Melts into the dry ingredients to create that perfect streusel crunch.
• Salt: Enhances the overall sweetness of the topping.

For the Muffins:

• Flour, Baking Powder, and Cinnamon: These dry ingredients ensure the muffins are light and tender.
• Butter, White Sugar, and Brown Sugar: Add richness and sweetness to the muffin batter.
• Eggs: Help bind the ingredients together and give structure.
• Buttermilk and Sour Cream: Contribute moisture and a slight tang that balances the sweetness of the cranberry sauce.
• Cranberry Sauce: The star ingredient! This leftover cranberry sauce adds both flavor and a burst of color to the muffins.

Alternative Ingredient Suggestions

If you’re looking to make substitutions or if you don’t have one of the ingredients on hand, here are a few helpful swaps:

• Dairy-Free Option: Substitute the butter with a non-dairy butter and use dairy-free sour cream or yogurt.
• Sweetener Swap: Replace the white sugar with coconut sugar for a more natural sweetness, or use maple syrup for a subtle, earthy flavor.
• Citrus Addition: If your cranberry sauce doesn’t already have orange juice or zest, add a teaspoon of orange zest to the muffin batter or sauce for a fresh citrus kick.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Leftover Cranberry Sauce Coffee Cake Muffins

Follow these steps to make your cranberry sauce muffins come to life!

1. Prepare the Streusel Topping: In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, cardamom, and a pinch of salt. Pour in the melted butter and stir until the mixture forms a crumbly texture. Set it aside to allow the butter to hydrate the flour, which will create the perfect crumb topping.
2. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F and line a 12-cup muffin pan with cupcake liners.
3. Make the Muffin Batter: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and cinnamon. Set aside.
   In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the softened butter, white sugar, and brown sugar together until pale and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes). Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the buttermilk, sour cream, and vanilla extract, and mix until combined.
4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Turn the mixer to its lowest setting and slowly add the dry ingredients. Mix just until combined—be careful not to overmix, as this can make the muffins dense.
5. Assemble the Muffins: Spoon a tablespoon of muffin batter into each cupcake liner. Add about half a tablespoon of cranberry sauce in the center, leaving space around the edges. Top with more batter to cover the cranberry sauce, ensuring it’s fully enclosed.
6. Add the Crumb Topping: Spoon a generous amount of crumb topping over each muffin, pressing it down gently so it sticks to the batter.
7. Bake: Bake the muffins for 20-25 minutes, or until the crumb topping is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. Cool and Serve: Allow the muffins to cool for 5-10 minutes in the pan, then remove them and let them cool slightly before serving.

Tips & Tricks for the Best Cranberry Sauce Coffee Cake Muffins

• Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the batter can lead to dense muffins. Be sure to mix just until combined to maintain a light and fluffy texture.
• Simmer Runny Cranberry Sauce: If your cranberry sauce is too runny, simmer it for a few minutes until it thickens. This prevents the sauce from leaking out of the muffins.
• Make Extra Crumb Topping: The more crumb topping, the better! It gives your muffins that irresistible bakery-style finish. Don’t skimp on it—pile it high!

Pairing Ideas and Variations for Cranberry Sauce Muffins

These Leftover Cranberry Sauce Coffee Cake Muffins are versatile and can be served with a variety of dishes or customized for different dietary needs:

• Pairing Suggestions: Serve these muffins with a hot cup of coffee or tea for a cozy breakfast or brunch. They also go wonderfully with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a dessert treat.
• Make-Ahead Option: The muffin batter can be frozen for up to 3 weeks, so you can prepare it ahead of time and bake it fresh whenever you need a quick breakfast. Just thaw the batter to room temperature before baking.
• Vegan Version: Replace the eggs with flax eggs and use non-dairy butter and milk for a fully vegan option.

Storage Instructions

Store any leftover muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. You can also refrigerate them for up to a week. To freeze the muffins, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or foil and store in the freezer for up to three months. Simply thaw at room temperature before enjoying.

These Leftover Cranberry Sauce Coffee Cake Muffins are a delicious way to make use of your leftover cranberry sauce and transform it into something special. Whether you’re using it for a holiday breakfast or as a tasty snack, these muffins are sure to become a family favorite.

Conclusion: Enjoy Your Leftover Cranberry Sauce Coffee Cake Muffins!

Transforming your leftover cranberry sauce into these scrumptious Leftover Cranberry Sauce Coffee Cake Muffins is an easy way to elevate your holiday leftovers. With a soft, buttery muffin base and a sweet, tangy cranberry filling, these muffins are a delightful treat that everyone will love. Whether served fresh out of the oven or stored for later, they make the perfect pairing with a warm beverage. So, don’t let that leftover cranberry sauce go to waste—whip up a batch of these irresistible muffins today and enjoy a cozy, delicious breakfast or snack!

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More Relevant Recipes

• Apple Pumpkin Streusel Muffins: These muffins combine the flavors of fall with the richness of pumpkin and sweet, crisp apple. Topped with a buttery streusel, they offer a perfect blend of sweet and savory, making them a great choice for those who enjoy pumpkin-based baked goods like cranberry sauce muffins.
• Pumpkin Coffee Cake Muffins: If you love the rich flavors of pumpkin and coffee cake, these muffins are a must-try. With a soft, moist texture and a spiced cinnamon topping, they share similar comforting qualities to the cranberry sauce muffins and are perfect for autumn mornings.
• Pumpkin Crumb Muffins: These pumpkin crumb muffins are rich, fluffy, and topped with a crunchy, cinnamon-spiced crumb topping. Perfect for a fall breakfast or snack, they offer the same warm, comforting feel as cranberry sauce coffee cake muffins, with the added bonus of spiced pumpkin flavor.

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