These Orange Pecan Cranberry Muffins are the perfect thing to serve for breakfast on Thanksgiving! The flavors are perfect for fall, and they are simple to make!
Thanksgiving is quickly approaching – do you have your menu all planned? Dinner is obviously the star of the show on Thanksgiving, but what about breakfast? No one talks about what to serve for breakfast on Thanksgiving! Well, I am going to change that – after all, you have to eat something in the morning to prepare your stomach for all the goodness that is to come later in the day. So it might as well be a festive and seasonal treat – like my Orange Pecan Cranberry Muffins! They are full of fall flavors and are absolutely delicious. Plus you can make them the day before and just reheat them before you serve, making this a quick and easy Thanksgiving breakfast.
I think you probably know this, but breakfast is my favorite meal of the day. I could eat breakfast food all day long – and I often do! Pancakes make a frequent appearance on our dinner table, and muffins are one of my favorite afternoon treats. Now that I’m pregnant, breakfast is even more important for me because I have to eat something pretty much within 10 minutes of waking up. One of the many joys of pregnancy….
But due to my breakfast obsession, I of course had to feature a Thanksgiving breakfast menu item, even though most people wouldn’t think twice about what to eat that morning! And while I made these cranberry muffins with Thanksgiving in mind, they have quickly become one of my favorite muffin recipes. I was actually surprised how much I loved these, because I’m usually not a huge cranberry fan. However there is just something about these cranberry muffins that is addicting. The orange flavor and the hint of cinnamon pair so well with the toasted pecans and tart cranberries. A touch of brown sugar ties everything together. This is one awesome muffin! Plus I think they are so pretty, with the flecks of orange zest and the bright cranberries. If you don’t want to have them for Thanksgiving breakfast, they would make a great addition to your Thanksgiving bread basket!
These Orange Pecan Cranberry Muffins are the perfect thing to serve for breakfast on Thanksgiving! The flavors are perfect for fall, and they are simple to make!
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1 3/4 cups flour
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 6 Tablespoons butter, melted
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup orange juice (fresh squeezed is best)
- 1 teaspoon orange zest (about one large orange)
- 3/4 cup pecan pieces, toasted
Instructions
- Add the cranberries to a bowl and cover with boiling water. Allow to sit for at least 15 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Spray a muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon.
- In a large bowl, whisk together sugars and eggs until pale in color and smooth. Add the butter, milk, and orange juice and whisk well.
- Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and stir until just combined.
- Drain the cranberries well, then fold in the cranberries, orange zest, and pecans.
- Spoon the batter into the muffin tin, filling evenly. Bake for 5 minutes at 425 degrees, then turn down the heat to 350 and bake for 10 - 15 minutes longer, until muffins are golden brown. Allow muffins to cool in the pan for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
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Some other great ideas for Thanksgiving breakfast. So many fall flavors in these breakfast goodies!
Nora (A Clean Bake) says
You’re right – I never think of what to eat for breakfast on Thanksgiving and then end up miscalculating and either being too famished or too full to really enjoy dinner! I love all the flavors you’ve packed into these great muffins.
Amy @ Thoroughly Nourished Life says
Oh yum! I love making the holiday breakfast to bring to my family’s Christmas Day celebration! It’s something people don’t think about, but it’s another opportunity for a delicious holiday treat! I know these will be popular this year! Thanks Cait!
Michelle | A Dish of Daily Life says
I love those two flavors together! This would be perfect for Thanksgiving breakfast…my family will love these!
Tonia from TheGunnySack says
I’m totally with you about the breakfast! I shared a holiday breakfast recipe last week and am sharing another one this week. It is a great way to spend more time with your family…eating! 🙂 These muffins look amazing!
Amy Stafford says
I love holiday breakfast too. Mostly because I love to eat them. These muffins will make a great addition to my holiday menu.
Leah @ Grain Changer says
what a PERFECT way to start Thanksgiving day!!! Cranberry and orange might be my favorite flavor combo ever, and these look so delish!!
Maryanne @ the little epicurean says
I would happily eat these muffins any time of day! The combination of orange, pecan, and cranberry puts me in such a holiday spirit 🙂
Jessica @ Sweetest Menu says
This made me giggle – one of the joys of pregnancy, eating multiple breakfasts? I am SO there! These muffins are gorgeous! Love all the lovely flavours hun x
Justine | Cooking and Beer says
Orange and cranberry is one of my favorite combos ever! Love the pecans in this recipe!
Jaren (Diary of a Recipe Collector) says
I love orange and cranberry together!! These are perfect!
Zainab says
Thanksgiving breakfast has never been on my plans but then I find myself scrambling. Love these muffins!! Gets those thanksgiving flavors started.