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Christmas muffins on christmas plate with hands holding plate.
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5 from 7 votes

Favorite Christmas Muffins

With the classic flavors of panettone, including dried fruit, citrus, and vanilla, these tender muffins are a perfect make-ahead holiday breakfast for Christmas morning.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time14 minutes
Total Time24 minutes
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Servings: 12
Calories: 165kcal
Author: Amy Palanjian

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1½ cups dried fruit (such as dried cherries, golden raisins, and/or cranberries)
  • 1 cup orange juice (warmed slightly)
  • 1 orange, zested
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ⅓ cup sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • Sprinkles or course sanding sugar (optional)
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and fill a standard 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners. Spray very lightly with nonstick spray.
  • Add the dried fruit and orange juice to a medium bowl. Let sit for 5 minutes.
  • Add the orange zest, butter, eggs, and vanilla. Stir to combine.
  • Add the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir together gently but thoroughly.
  • Divide the batter into the prepared muffin cups, using a heaping ¼ cup in each. Top with sprinkles if desired.
  • Bake for 14-16 minutes or until a cake tester inserted into the middle comes out cleanly and the edges are lightly golden brown.
  • Remove from the pan and let cool fully on a wire rack.

Notes

  • Store leftover Christmas Muffins, or if you make them ahead of time, in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Or in the fridge for 5 days. Or you can freeze the muffins in a storage bag, with as much air removed as possible, for up to 6 months.
  • Warm slightly to serve.
  • Top with butter or cream cheese or jam.
  • Add gold sprinkles or coarse decorating sugar on top of the muffins before putting them into the oven to dress them up.
    To bake these in paper liners, spray liners lightly with nonstick spray to ensure the muffins don't stick to the paper.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 muffin | Calories: 165kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 215mg | Potassium: 96mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 223IU | Vitamin C: 22mg | Calcium: 51mg | Iron: 1mg