Cranberry Orange Cottage Cheese Muffins

This Cranberry Orange Muffins Recipe is one of my favorite make-ahead breakfasts or snacks! With 8 grams of protein per serving, the muffins are super tall and fluffy, and the bright, citrusy flavor makes them extra festive. Ready to eat in under an hour, they’re quick to prepare and basically foolproof. Plus, the sweet topping makes them taste like dessert, meaning they’re perfect for holiday brunches, lunchboxes, and afternoon snacks. Even my littles are obsessed!

Course Breakfast, Snack

Cuisine American

Diet Vegetarian

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 35

Total Time 45

Servings Giant Muffins

Calories 256kcal

Author Christine McMichael

Equipment

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups 4% cottage cheese
3/4 cup maple syrup
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 Tablespoons coconut oil melted & cooled
3 large eggs at room temperature
zest of 1 orange approx. 2 teaspoons
1/4 cup orange juice from approx. 1 large or 2 small oranges
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour spooned and leveled
2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries

Glaze

1/2 cup 4% cottage cheese
3 Tablespoons maple syrup
1 Tablespoon melted coconut oil
1 Tablespoon orange juice
1 Tablespoon water

Garnish

orange zest

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 12-count muffin tin with liners. Spray all muffin liners with cooking spray (these muffins will stick otherwise).
Combine the cottage cheese, maple syrup, vanilla, oil, eggs, orange zest and orange juice in a blender. Blend until smooth.
Pour the cottage cheese mixture into a large bowl and add the flour, baking powder and salt. Whisk until combined.
Fold in the cranberries. Don’t overmix!
Scoop the batter into the muffin liners, filling them all the way.
Bake for 32-35 minutes. The muffins will rise very high, and deflate slightly once taken out of the oven, so I’d recommend cooking them a bit longer than you think.
While muffins are baking, blend the Glaze ingredients until smooth. Add an extra 1 tablespoon of water if you want a thinner glaze.
When muffins are ready, set the pan onto a cooling rack and let cool for ten minutes before removing from the pan.
Drizzle the glaze over fully cooled muffins. Garnish with grated orange zest, if desired. Enjoy!

Video

Notes

It’s important to use whole milk cottage cheese for that super fluffy texture!
Optional Alternative Icing: Melt 1/4 cup white chocolate chips and 2 teaspoons coconut oil, mix, and use a whisk to drizzle over each muffin. Top with a little extra orange zest, let it set, and enjoy!

Nutrition