Low-Carb Cranberry Orange Muffins

This Cranberry Orange Muffins recipe yields a baked good that is so flavorful and perfectly sweet! If you are looking for a nut-free keto muffin recipe, you will love this low-carb recipe that’s made with monk fruit sweetener! Baked and ready to serve in under an hour, these tasty treats are a perfect dessert or breakfast option!

This recipe was created in partnership with Lakanto.

These muffins are so easy to make and can be prepared and ready to serve in under 1 hour.

I personally like to enjoy one in the morning alongside a cup of coffee, but they’re also a delicious after-dinner treat!

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Cranberry Orange Muffins Recipe FAQs

How to make cranberry orange muffins with fresh cranberries?

This recipe uses fresh cranberries, which are full of flavor that pair really, really well with orange.

Fresh cranberries are used in this recipe. Frozen cranberries will likely work and I would sub them in for fresh cranberries at a 1:1 ratio. Do not use dried or canned cranberries.

How to ensure cream cheese is softened enough to incorporate with the other ingredients in this recipe?

First, it’s important that you’re using cream cheese that is at room temperature or slightly heated. Cream cheese straight from the refrigerator is quite challenging to mix until creamy and fluffy.

Second, you will want to mix the cream cheese with an electric mixer on its own, before adding the other ingredients. This will help it to incorporate well with the other ingredients.

Is it necessary to pre-soak fresh cranberries to soften them before making?

Nope! Simply rinse the cranberries just like you would any other fresh fruit or vegetable. You do not need to soak them to soften them as they will soften up perfectly while baking in the oven.

How long to bake cranberry orange muffins?

These muffins will need to be baked for about 23-25 minutes at 350 degrees.

How to make these muffins into mini muffins?

I haven’t tested this method on this particular recipe, but have with other muffin recipes and wanted to offer this suggestion if you want to make mini muffins rather than traditional-sized muffins.

To make these into mini muffins, bake them at 350 degrees until the tops are golden brown, about 11-13 minutes.

Where do I find cream of tartar?

Cream of tartar sounds like it would be a dairy product, but it’s actually not! It’s a dry ingredient that is found in virtually every single grocery store in the spice aisle. You should find it in a spice container right with all of the other spices.

Since I personally do all of my grocery shopping online, I purchase my cream of tartar from Amazon. This is the exact brand of cream of tartar used in this recipe.

Are there any other flavorings I can add to this recipe?

Yes! I’ve made these muffins a few times and often add 3/4 tsp of cinnamon to the dough. We LOVE cinnamon in our household and I think it really enhances the flavor of the cranberries and orange!

Why didn’t my muffins rise when baking?

Coconut flour is quite dense, so do not expect these muffins to have a beautifully rounded muffin top like the type you’re used to seeing from a bakery.

However, it is important to note that you need to use fresh cream of tartar and fresh baking soda to ensure they activate with one another to help the dough rise.

What diet lifestyles is this recipe compliant with?

• Keto and Low-Carb: With only 3.2 grams of net carbs per serving, these cranberry orange muffins are an awesome keto-friendly treat.
• Gluten-Free: Made without wheat, barley, or rye, these muffins are free from gluten products.
• Grain-Free: This recipe is free from grains.
• Nut-Free: These homemade cranberry orange muffins are free of nuts, making them safe to consume for those with nut allergies and intolerances.
• Primal: The ingredients in this recipe follow primal diet restrictions.
• Vegetarian: This recipe is compliant with a vegetarian diet.
• Refined Sugar-Free: These cranberry orange muffins do not contain refined sugar as they are sweetened with monk fruit sweetener.

What to serve with cranberry orange muffins?

A pat of unsalted butter on a warm cranberry muffin is really good!

My personal favorite way is eating a muffin on its own alongside a cup of hot coffee blended with unsalted butter (like a Bulletproof coffee)!

How to store these muffins?

• Refrigerator Storage: These muffins can be stored in the refrigerator after completely cooling at room temperature. Store them in an aright container and refrigerate for up to 1 week. Note that the baked muffins will harden when chilled, which may make it difficult to remove the muffin liner. To more easily remove the liner after chilling, heat the muffin up in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.
• Freezer Storage: You can freeze these muffins after allowing them to cool at room temperature and storing them in an airtight container in the freezer. They will remain fresh when frozen for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat them, simply thaw them in the refrigerator then reheat in the oven at 350 degrees until warmed throughout.

Step-by-step instructions on how to make these cranberry muffins

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line muffin tins with 12 muffin liners. To a mixing bowl, add cream cheese. Using an electric mixer, whip cream cheese until creamy and fluffy.

To same bowl, add eggs, monk fruit sweetener, heavy cream, orange extract, cream of tartar, baking soda, vanilla extract, and salt. Mix again with an electric mixer until ingredients are well-combined.

Mix with an electric mixer until ingredients are combined.

In a microwave-safe bowl, melt butter. To mixing bowl of eggs and cream cheese mixture, add melted butter and coconut flour.

Mix with electric mixer until fully incorporated, then add cranberries.

Fold in cranberries.

Spoon dough into individual muffin liners.

Flatten dough into even layer using fingers or back of spoon, and transfer to oven.

Bake until muffin tops are slightly golden, about 23-25 minutes.

Allow muffins to cool slightly before removing them from muffin tin and serving.

Looking for more keto and nut-free baked good recipes?

If you’re in the mood for some more keto-friendly baked goodies that are made without almond flour and other nut ingredients, you’ll love these!

• Nut-Free Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins
• Orange Scones
• Easy Keto Cinnamon Roll Muffins
• 10 Low-Carb Coconut Flour Recipes Without Almond Flour