Leftover Cranberry Sauce Coffee Cake Muffins Recipe

Imagine the aroma of cinnamon, cardamom, and brown sugar swirling through your kitchen as you bite into a soft, crumbly muffin. These Leftover Cranberry Sauce Coffee Cake Muffins are everything you love about a classic coffee cake, but with a twist: a luscious layer of tart cranberry sauce right in the center and on top. Not only do these muffins make clever use of that extra cranberry sauce after the holidays, but every bite is a cozy celebration of texture and flavor. Let’s make your mornings extra special with a batch of these beauties!

Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredient list for Leftover Cranberry Sauce Coffee Cake Muffins is delightfully simple, yet every component plays a key role in creating their miraculous combination of flavors, textures, and aroma. Here’s what you’ll need, with a few tips so you get the absolute best results.

• All-purpose flour: This forms the foundation for both the muffin base and the crumb topping, providing tender structure.
• Light brown sugar: Adds caramel-like sweetness and creates rich, golden crumbs on top.
• Cinnamon: Infuses warmth and timeless spice into both the crumb and muffin batters.
• Ground green cardamom: A touch of this fragrant spice takes the crumb topping to the next level of depth and intrigue.
• Pinch of salt: Essential for balancing and highlighting every sweet and spicy note.
• Unsalted butter (melted and solid): Melted for crumbly topping, creamed for the tender, rich muffin base.
• Baking powder: Ensures a lofty, cake-like crumb that’s still perfectly portable in muffin form.
• White sugar: Lends clean sweetness and heightens the overall flavor.
• Eggs: Adds structure and a subtle richness to the batter.
• Vanilla extract: An aromatic backbone that brings all the flavors into harmony.
• Buttermilk: The acid in buttermilk reacts with the baking powder to create impossibly tender muffins.
• Sour cream: Adds creaminess and a gentle tang for moist, flavorful results.
• Cranberry sauce: The star! A dollop in the center and on the top brings bursts of color, tang, and fruitiness.

How to Make Leftover Cranberry Sauce Coffee Cake Muffins

Step 1: Make the Crumb Topping

Before you even think about the muffin batter, whisk together the all-purpose flour, light brown sugar, ground cardamom, salt, and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Add your melted butter and stir until you get a crumbly, sandy texture. Set it aside while it hydrates—this simple mixture will give your muffins an irresistible bakery-style crown!

Step 2: Prepare the Muffin Pan

Preheat your oven to 375°F. Line a standard 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners. The liners make removal (and cleanup) a breeze, and you’ll appreciate that extra bit of structure when your muffins come out golden, crumbly, and gorgeous.

Step 3: Mix the Dry Ingredients

Whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and a bit of cinnamon in a large bowl. Combining these now ensures an even rise and delicate crumb throughout every muffin.

Step 4: Cream the Butter and Sugars

In the bowl of a stand mixer (or with a handheld mixer), beat unsalted butter, white sugar, and light brown sugar until pale yellow, fluffy, and almost cloud-like. This step is key for a light, moist crumb—don’t rush it!

Step 5: Add Eggs and Wet Ingredients

Add eggs one at a time to your butter-sugar mixture, mixing until each is incorporated. Next, blend in the buttermilk, sour cream, and vanilla extract. Your batter will look smooth and creamy—just what you want.

Step 6: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

On your mixer’s lowest setting, gently add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Stop right when the flour disappears; over-beating will turn tender muffins tough, so just a few turns is perfect.

Step 7: Layer the Muffin Batter and Cranberry Sauce

Spoon about a tablespoon of muffin batter into each liner, spreading it to the edges. Next, add just under a tablespoon of cranberry sauce right in the center. Top up each liner to the brim with more muffin batter, making sure you seal in the berry goodness at the edges. Smooth the tops gently with the back of a spoon for a neat look.

Step 8: Top with More Cranberry Sauce and Crumb

Add a generous teaspoon of cranberry sauce on top of each muffin, then lavishly sprinkle your hydrated crumb topping—about 2 to 3 tablespoons per muffin. Pat it in gently so nothing slides off.

Step 9: Bake and Cool

Bake in your preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes. The crumb topping should look set and lightly golden, and a toothpick inserted into a muffin should come out clean (avoid the cranberry pockets when testing). Let the muffins cool in the pan for 5 to 10 minutes—this allows them to set—then transfer to a rack. Enjoy warm for melty, jammy centers, or at room temp for ultimate crumbly goodness!

How to Serve Leftover Cranberry Sauce Coffee Cake Muffins

Garnishes

Sprinkle your Leftover Cranberry Sauce Coffee Cake Muffins with a shower of powdered sugar for a snowy finish. For a slightly fancier touch, zest a little orange over the top before serving—the citrus lifts the berry flavors beautifully. A drizzle of vanilla glaze is another crowd-pleaser if you want extra indulgence.

Side Dishes

These muffins are delightful alongside a creamy yogurt parfait or simply paired with a frothy cappuccino. For brunch, serve with scrambled eggs and crispy bacon to balance the sweetness. Their cozy, fruity flavor is also perfect with a platter of fresh winter fruit or even a wedge of sharp cheddar for contrast.

Creative Ways to Present

Arrange the muffins in a basket lined with a tartan napkin for festive flair, or present on a rustic cake stand for an elegant brunch table. For gifting, tuck a few in a bakery box tied with twine and a handwritten note—they’re the ultimate “thinking of you” treat. For parties, cut in half and serve with a spoonful of fresh whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert twist!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once your Leftover Cranberry Sauce Coffee Cake Muffins have cooled completely, pop them in an airtight container. They’ll keep at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days—just be sure to separate layers with parchment to avoid sticky tops.

Freezing

These muffins freeze beautifully. Arrange them on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer to a zip-top bag. That way, you can grab one for a quick breakfast treat anytime. They’ll stay fresh in the freezer for up to 2 months without losing flavor or texture.

Reheating

For the best results, reheat muffins in a 300°F oven for about 10 minutes (directly from the fridge or thawed). This revives the soft crumb and perks up the cinnamon aroma. If you’re in a rush, a 10–15 second zap in the microwave works too, but that oven “just baked” vibe is worth a few extra minutes!

FAQs

Can I use fresh cranberries instead of cranberry sauce?

For this recipe, cranberry sauce gives the muffins their signature juicy middle and moist texture. If you only have fresh cranberries, cook them down with sugar and a splash of water first to mimic that jammy consistency.

What’s the best way to avoid dry muffins?

The secret is not to overmix your batter and to measure your flour accurately. Always use the scoop and level method for flour, stop mixing as soon as the dry streaks disappear, and don’t overbake—check for doneness at the earliest possible time.

Is there a substitute for sour cream?

Absolutely! You can use plain Greek yogurt in equal measure if you prefer. It offers the same creamy tang and will keep your muffins just as moist and tender.

Can I double this recipe for a crowd?

Definitely! This recipe doubles beautifully. Just make sure you use two muffin pans or bake in batches, and give the crumb topping an extra mix before use if it sits for a while so it stays light and fluffy.

How else can I use leftover cranberry sauce?

Aside from these muffins, leftover cranberry sauce is delicious swirled into oatmeal, layered between pancakes, or even dolloped over vanilla ice cream. It also makes a wonderful glaze for roast chicken or pork.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a cozy, creative way to use up those holiday leftovers, these Leftover Cranberry Sauce Coffee Cake Muffins are the answer. Every crumb tells a story of warmth, spice, and a little ingenuity. So gather up that leftover cranberry sauce and treat yourself (and your loved ones) to muffin magic—your taste buds will thank you!

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