Christmas Muffins

Bring holiday cheer to your table with soft, festive muffins bursting with flavor.

1. Simple Holiday Muffins

Yield: 6 muffins

Ingredients:

• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/4 cup coconut sugar or brown sugar
• 1/4 cup chopped almonds or walnuts
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries or golden raisins
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 3 tbsp melted coconut oil or unsalted butter
• 1 large egg (or 1 flax egg: 1 tbsp flaxseed meal + 3 tbsp water)
• 1/3 cup almond milk or dairy milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a 6-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
2. Mix flour, sugar, nuts, dried fruit, salt, baking powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a large bowl.
3. Whisk together melted coconut oil, egg, milk, and vanilla in another bowl.
4. Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry until just combined.
5. Divide batter into muffin cups and bake 18–22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
6. Cool slightly and dust with powdered sugar, if desired.

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2. Chocolate & Orange Holiday Muffins

Yield: 12 muffins

Ingredients for Muffins:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup coconut sugar or brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/3 cup milk (dairy or plant-based)
• 1/2 cup dark chocolate chunks
• Zest of 1 orange
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
2. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, then beat in eggs one at a time.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and cinnamon.
4. Gradually fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, alternating with milk.
5. Stir in chocolate chunks and orange zest.
6. Divide batter among muffin cups and bake 22–25 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.

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3. Chocolate Muffins with Mulled Spice Syrup

Yield: 12 muffins

Ingredients for Muffins:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate pieces
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg

Ingredients for Mulled Spice Syrup:

• 2/3 cup cranberry juice or red wine
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1 tsp grated orange peel
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• 1/4 tsp cardamom
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon

Instructions for Muffins:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
2. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time.
3. Whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Gradually fold into wet mixture, alternating with milk.
4. Stir in chocolate pieces. Fill muffin cups 3/4 full. Bake 22–25 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.

Instructions for Mulled Spice Syrup:

1. In a small saucepan, combine cranberry juice or red wine with maple syrup, orange peel, cloves, cardamom, and cinnamon.
2. Simmer over low heat for 8–10 minutes until slightly thickened. Let cool.
3. Drizzle over cooled muffins before serving.