Go Back
–+ servings
Cake mix cranberry orange muffins served on a plate, with more muffins in the pan in the background. One muffin is torn in half to show the juicy berries inside.

Cake Mix Cranberry Orange Muffins

Chrysti Benner
Festive and delicious cranberry orange muffins are a cinch to make with a doctored-up box of cake mix. Perfect for holiday breakfasts or snacks!
No ratings yet
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 22 minutes
Course Bread, Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 16 Servings
Calories 249 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

For the Muffins:

  • 13.25 ounce French vanilla cake mix
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon orange zest
  • 2 tablespoons orange juice (freshly squeezed)
  • 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon orange extract (optional
  • 1 1/2 cups whole cranberries (fresh or frozen)

For the Streusel Topping:

  • 4 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon orange zest
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 2-3 teaspoons vegetable oil

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350F. Spray muffin pans with nonstick spray or line with paper muffin liners (you'll need 16-18 prepared wells for batter).
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or in a large mixing bowl with an electric hand mixer), combine cake mix, flour, and baking powder. Mix on low speed to combine.
  • Add sour cream, vegetable oil, eggs, orange zest, orange juice, almond extract, and orange extract. Mix on low speed for about 30 seconds, then scrape down the sides of the bowl. Mix on medium-high speed for about 30 seconds more.
  • Gently fold the cranberries into the batter by hand until incorporated.
  • Scoop batter into prepared muffin pans (I use an ice cream scoop for this), filling each well about 2/3 - 3/4 full.
  • Prepare streusel topping by combining sugar and orange zest in a small bowl. Use your fingers to rub the zest into the sugar, which will release the zest's oils into the sugar.
  • Add flour to the sugar, mixing to combine, followed by 2 teaspoons of vegetable oil. Use your fingers to mix together until the streusel is the consistency of wet sand. If needed, add a third teaspoon of oil and mix to incorporate.
  • Sprinkle the streusel topping over the muffin batter. Bake in preheated oven for 21-23 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean.
  • Remove from oven and let cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Run a knife along the edges of the muffins to ensure they're separated from the pan, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely (or serve warm, if preferred).

Notes

  • You can substitute plain Greek yogurt (preferably full-fat) instead of the sour cream.
  • If you don't have almond extract or orange extract on hand, you can omit them. I like the flavor they add, but they aren't absolute necessities. You can also add another teaspoon of orange zest in lieu of the orange extract, if preferred.
  • Leftover muffins should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. Due to the moisture from the cranberries, the streusel topping will soften over time. For that reason, I recommend enjoying them as close to baking day as possible. 
  • You can omit the streusel topping if preferred, but I like how it elevates the muffins a bit.
  • The muffins freeze well. I recommend flash-freezing them on a baking sheet, then transferring them to a zip-top bag or freezer-safe container to freeze. Thaw at room temperature.

Nutrition

Serving: 1muffinCalories: 249kcalCarbohydrates: 37gProtein: 3gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 35mgSodium: 205mgPotassium: 52mgFiber: 1gSugar: 22gVitamin A: 105IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 80mgIron: 1mg
Keyword cake mix cranberry muffins, cake mix cranberry orange muffins, christmas morning breakfast, christmas morning muffins, cranberry orange muffins with cake mix, cranberry orange muffins with streusel, easy cranberry orange muffins, moist cranberry orange muffins, thanksgiving breakfast, thanksgiving morning muffins
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!