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White Chocolate Cranberry Crumb Muffins

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White chocolate cranberry crumb muffins are a taste of the holidays and the best breakfast ever this time of year!

pinterest image for white chocolate cranberry crumb muffins with text overlay

overhead shot of white chocolate cranberry crumb muffins in the muffin tin

Does it seem to you that time is moving faster?  Not that we’re getting older and have more perspective on how long or short a year really is, but that the earth is actually spinning faster on its axis making days shorter and time fly by.

I should note that I don’t actually know how time works so maybe the earth’s spinning doesn’t have anything to do with how long our days are. . .science isn’t my thing. . .

But this all feels very true to me!  Last Christmas feels like three weeks ago and, as happens every year, I don’t have enough time to bake everything on my list.  Unless I skip Christmas shopping this year but my sister would not be pleased.

muffin on a plate with cranberries and more white chocolate cranberry crumb muffins in the background

So a little tea and snack break is in order today so I can catch my breath before the holidays begin in force.  I’m munching on one of these cranberry white chocolate crumb muffins and sipping some extra hot tea and moving things from my 2017 Christmas baking list to a new one for next year.  

When I’ll be even older.  Gulp.  

Does anyone know how I can catch that Benjamin Button disease?  

As I’ve said it before and will say many times again: muffins are just cake that it’s socially acceptable to spread butter on.  And a fluffy baked good slathered in butter solves most of life’s problems.

If you find yourself needing a little break from the holiday madness, I urge you to make some of these muffins for yourself.  Take a few minutes to breathe and get baking!  Nothing soothes the nerves like the smell of muffins piping hot right from the oven.  

Especially if those muffins smell like Christmas, which these do because of the cinnamon and ginger (and, duh, cranberries). 

White chocolate cranberry crumb muffins.  You need a batch today! 
muffin on a plate split open and spread with butter with more white chocolate cranberry crumb muffins in the background

White chocolate cranberry crumb muffins are a taste of the holidays, and the best breakfast ever this time of year! recipe via itsybitsykitchen.com #crumbmuffins #breakfast #Christmas
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White Chocolate Cranberry Crumb Muffins
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Total Time
40 mins
 

White chocolate cranberry crumb muffins are a taste of the holidays!

Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Servings: 15
Author: Kelsie
Ingredients
Muffins:
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • Finely grated zest of half an orange
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter melted and cooled slightly
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 cup chopped fresh or frozen cranberries
  • 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
Crumb topping:
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped pecans or other nuts
  • 3 tablespoons light brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
Instructions
Muffins:
  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Spray a 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray or line with cupcake liners and set aside.
  2. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, salt, and orange zest in a large mixing bowl.
  3. Combine the butter, sugar, milk, and egg in a medium mixing bowl and stir until well combined. Mix the wet ingredients into the flour mixture until just barely incorporated, then fold in the cranberries and white chocolate chips.
  4. Divide batter evenly between the prepared muffin cups.
Crumb topping:
  1. Combine the all ingredients except butter in a medium bowl. Stir in the melted butter until the mixture forms clumps about the size of peas. Set aside.
  2. Divide topping evenly over the muffins and bake 25 to 30 minutes, until they’re lightly browned on top and a cake tester inserted into the center of the muffins comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove to a wire rack to col completely. (Muffins can be stored, covered tightly with plastic wrap, for up to 2 days.)

Muffins adapted from Epicurious

Topping adapted from Food and Wine

Comments

  2. Dawn @ Girl Heart Food says

    November 20, 2017 at 6:23 am

    YES! Time is flying by waaaaay to fast and every year it seems faster. Slow down, will ya, ya know?? Love white chocolate + cranberry. Not only do these look pretty, I bet they taste even better! Happy Monday, Kelsie!

    Reply

  3. Ben|Havocinthekitchen says

    November 20, 2017 at 6:50 am

    Oh you’re so right, Kelsie. Time has been moving outrageously fast lately. I disagree with your statement that it might be related to our aging. I don’t think this is a good theory. I’d rather believe something is wrong with the Earth making it spin too fast. I think this totally makes sense (If I ever get a Nobel prize for this theory, I’ll mention you in my speech). Anyway, Christmas is inevitably approaching, and I baked my first Christmas cookies for the blog this weekend. I hope I have enough time to try all the ideas this season. I’m often a little sluggish at first, but then, few weeks before Christmas, I normally get inspired…with no much time left hah. I’m not a huge fan of muffins (I can eat one, but I will always prefer a cake if had a choice). But I love this white chocolate cranberry combo, and I need this combo this year. Maybe in the form of pancakes or bread pudding, mmm?

    Reply

  4. thebakingskillet says

    November 20, 2017 at 7:37 am

    The earth is 100% spinning faster. I can’t believe Christmas is here but ooo i am so excited. And the fact that you have broken out the bag of cranberries is making me feel so festive! Love these Kelsie. I have to try them.

    Reply

  5. gardeningfoodie says

    November 20, 2017 at 8:40 am

    Oh so true Kelsie….baking does soothe the nerves especially during these rushed days, and these beautiful muffins make the perfect breakfast or tea time treat for the crazy days. I love the cranberry and white chocolate combination…so festive and pretty.
    Have a great week 🙂

    Reply

  6. Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says

    November 20, 2017 at 9:03 am

    Time moves entirely too fast! I was just telling my husband last night I can’t believe his birthday is in a few days and he will be… (it rhymes with lordy. Shh don’t tell anyone). Makes me thankful I’m 6 years his junior. Lol! But still, time is the devil! 😉 Aaaanyways. These muffins!! They are FAB! I have a similar recipe, but mine aren’t crumb muffins, so you win!! I NEED these. Immediately! Cheers, doll – to a happy Thanksgiving!

    Reply

  7. Milena | Craft Beering says

    November 20, 2017 at 9:46 am

    Mmmm, you want to catch Benjamin Button decease so you can bake that much longer, right? I think it was supposed to be a genetic disorder. If it weren’t though, I’d love to get it too, in about ten years from now, then be healed right as I get down to twenty-five.. and grow old again…Every year I would bake a batch of these muffins on the anniversary of getting the Benkamin Button decease. I am thinking you should make a dessert in honor of Stephen King…

    Reply

    • Kelsie says

      November 20, 2017 at 10:12 am

      I’m going to cross my fingers that it’s not genetic! Haha! I think you have the right idea :). Thank you, Milena! Have a great week!

      Reply

  8. hummingbirdthyme says

    November 20, 2017 at 10:23 am

    I love this recipe especially because I’m so about white chocolate these past few months! I’ve been thinking of using it in addition to (or instead of) bittersweet chocolate for some of the Christmas collection. They look and sound divine! Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply

    • Kelsie says

      November 20, 2017 at 6:41 pm

      Thank you, Laura! I totally support subbing in a little white chocolate :). I’ve been obsessed with it lately too!

      Reply

  10. The Home Cook's Kitchen says

    November 20, 2017 at 11:37 am

    yes! time goes too fast, I was just saying that to my husband the other day! can’t believe another year is almost over and we just hit our 2 years in America anniversary! say what! these muffins look fantastic, I can’t say that my holiday season is going to be overly hectic this year, but I’d defintely be down for some festive baking!

    Reply

  11. marcie@flavorthemoments says

    November 20, 2017 at 12:31 pm

    Life is speeding by at a break-neck pace for me. The holidays and everything else comes faster every year! These muffins are the perfect way to put the breaks on and take a breather. They look delicious!

    Reply

  12. Emma says

    November 20, 2017 at 1:06 pm

    I love muffins for the fact they make basically eating cake for breakfast perfectly acceptable! I’m loving the cranberries in here at the moment I just can’t get enough of them.

    Reply

  13. Leanne | Crumb Top Baking says

    November 20, 2017 at 4:31 pm

    I totally agree! Time is going by way too fast! I swear, it was only yesterday that I watched Elf, and now I’m watching it again! Where did the year go?! These muffins look delicious, Kelsie. Love white chocolate with cranberries! I have a recipe for white chocolate and cranberry tea biscuits in the works. The combo is so addictive! Happy baking! Hope you find the time to squeeze everything in!

    Reply

  16. Katherine | Love In My Oven says

    November 20, 2017 at 8:54 pm

    Time is going way too fast!! My birthday is coming up in a couple of weeks, and I SWEAR I just celebrated it. Slow down!! You know I’m a fan of white chocolate with cranberry, so these muffins are obviously perfection in my books. Loving that crumb on top!!!

    Reply

  17. Carlee says

    November 21, 2017 at 6:04 am

    This would be perfect for our Christmas brunch. We love having everyone over to enjoy the morning and eat plenty of food. I’ll put these on the list. (Oh, and time is definitely moving faster. I need about three more hours each day!)

    Reply

  19. lynne hoareau says

    November 22, 2017 at 4:21 am

    I do need a batch today….and probably knowing me, a batch everyday thereafter.
    Kelsie, these are beautiful and scream Christmas ! Cranberries, white chocolate, a little cinnamon, pecans, a hint of orange…OMW just so so lovely. I will be making these for sure…now to go and buy the white chocolate 🙂
    Hope Cookie enjoyed one 🙂 Have a fabulous week my friend.

    Reply

  20. David | Spiced says

    November 22, 2017 at 6:05 am

    So I have no idea how I missed this recipe on Monday. (Bloglovin, you failed me.) But I’m glad I saw it now because MUFFINS! I love the white chocolate addition to these, and I’m all about those flavors and seasonings. This sounds like the holidays in a muffin pan to me! Also, I had to laugh at your comment about the world spinning faster as I just read an article (like this morning!) that the earth is actually spinning slower and scientists say that will lead to more earthquakes next year. I have no idea about that stuff, though. I just prefer to bury my head in a cake…or in this case, a big basket of muffins. With butter. Because butter. 🙂 Happy Thanksgiving, Kelsie!!

    Reply

    • Kelsie says

      November 22, 2017 at 7:30 pm

      No way. The earth can’t possibly be spinning slower! But just in case scientists are right I guess I’m glad I left southern Cali :). Thank you, David! Happy Thanksgiving to you and the fam, too!

      Reply

  21. Maria Doss says

    November 22, 2017 at 7:16 am

    Sweet white chocolate paired with tart cranberries sounds like the combo!!! So festive and great snack/breakfast this hectic holiday season. Looks wonderful Kelsie:)

    Reply

  22. Thao @ In Good Flavor says

    November 22, 2017 at 5:32 pm

    Time does fly by, but a minute seemed like forever the other day when I was in a rush heating something up in the microwave 🙂 These muffins are gorgeous and I love the crumb topping! I think I would make an extra batch of the topping and bake it on its own just so I can snack on it! Have a great Thanksgiving, Kelsie!!

    Reply

  23. Miriam @londonkitchendiaries says

    November 23, 2017 at 1:57 am

    Time definitely feels like passing more quickly the older you get – can’t believe it is almost Christmas again either! White chocolate & cranberries are such a lovely and festive combination. Have a great weekend, Kelsie!

    Reply

  24. Dana says

    November 24, 2017 at 11:25 pm

    it sure is! Why can’t it move a little bit slower as we get older? That would only be fair! haha I was thinking of Benjamin Button just recently and was debating on whether that would be a good idea… or not..hehehe I can’t believe how fast Christmas is coming up already….how did THAT happen? Last week we were baking strawberry desserts and enjoying summer…speaking of time zipping by. White Chocolate and Cranberry is such an amazing combo, I can never get enough. These look amazing!! And that crumb topping.. deeelish! Have a great weekend Kelsie 😀

    Reply

  27. kitchenwits says

    December 7, 2017 at 2:02 pm

    Those look so decadent! Anything with crumb topping is down-right delicious (especially if I can have it for breakfast)! Love the flavors here, and the use of fresh over dried cranberries (not that dried can’t be delicious in their own right)!

    Reply

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