Name: Holiday Muffins: 3 Magical Bites for Thanksgiving
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 3/4 cup granulated sugar; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 2 teaspoons baking powder; 1/3 cup vegetable oil; 1 egg; 1/3 cup milk; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/2 cup chopped nuts; 1/2 cup dried cranberries

Holiday Muffins For Thanksgiving Desserts

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Thanksgiving! Turkeys, family, and…pie, right? Well, this year, let’s shake things up a bit! My grandma always said, “Tradition is great, but a little somethin’ different keeps things interesting!” That’s why I’m sharing my recipe for these amazing Holiday Muffins For Thanksgiving Desserts. They are a total game-changer. Seriously, these little bites of joy are way easier than wrestling with pie crust, and honestly, they’re just as festive.

These muffins are more than just a recipe to me. They remind me of cozy Thanksgivings spent with loved ones. Every time I bake them, the kitchen fills with the warm scent of cranberries and nuts, instantly bringing back memories of laughter and togetherness. They add such warmth and happiness to our holiday table. I swear they’ll do the same for you!

Why You’ll Love These Holiday Muffins For Thanksgiving Desserts

Okay, so why these muffins? Trust me, you *need* them in your life (especially on Thanksgiving!). They’re just…better. Here’s why:

Super easy to make – even the kids can help!
Perfect for portion control – no more pie guilt!
Customizable! Use whatever nuts and dried fruits you like.
Kids LOVE them. Enough said.
A totally unique Thanksgiving dessert. Be the talk of the table!

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Quick and Easy Holiday Muffins For Thanksgiving Desserts

Let’s be real, Thanksgiving is BUSY. These muffins are seriously time-saving. You can whip ’em up in under an hour, leaving you more time to, you know, actually enjoy the holiday!

Customizable Holiday Muffins For Thanksgiving Desserts

Don’t like cranberries? No problem! Swap ’em out for raisins or dried cherries. Allergic to walnuts? Pecans work great! This recipe is super versatile, so go wild and make it your own!

Perfect Portion-Controlled Thanksgiving Desserts

Okay, who else overdoes it on pie? Yeah, me too. These muffins are the perfect individual servings. You get your sweet fix without feeling like you need to be rolled out the door!

Ingredients for Holiday Muffins For Thanksgiving Desserts

Alright, let’s talk ingredients! Nothing fancy here, just good ol’ pantry staples. Here’s what you’ll need to make these scrumptious Holiday Muffins For Thanksgiving Desserts:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour – the regular stuff works great!
3/4 cup granulated sugar – for just the right amount of sweetness.
1/2 teaspoon salt – don’t skip it, it balances the flavors!
2 teaspoons baking powder – helps ’em rise nice and fluffy.
1/3 cup vegetable oil – keeps ’em moist.
1 large egg – brings it all together!
1/3 cup milk – any kind will do.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract – my favorite part!
1/2 cup chopped nuts – I usually buy them pre-chopped to save time, but if you’re chopping them yourself, that’s great too!
1/2 cup dried cranberries – adds a touch of tartness.

How to Prepare Holiday Muffins For Thanksgiving Desserts: Step-by-Step Instructions

Okay, ready to bake these Holiday Muffins For Thanksgiving Desserts? Don’t worry, it’s super easy! Just follow these simple steps, and you’ll be munching on warm, delicious muffins in no time!

Preparing the Dry Ingredients for Holiday Muffins For Thanksgiving Desserts

First things first, grab a big bowl. In it, you’re gonna mix together the 1 1/2 cups of flour, 3/4 cup of sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 2 teaspoons of baking powder. Whisk it all together until it’s nicely combined. This just makes sure everything’s evenly distributed, ya know?

Combining Wet and Dry Ingredients to Make Holiday Muffins For Thanksgiving Desserts

Now, in a separate bowl, whisk together the 1/3 cup of vegetable oil, one egg, 1/3 cup of milk, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Once that’s all whisked together, pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir until JUST combined. Don’t overmix! A few lumps are totally okay!

Adding Nuts and Cranberries to Your Holiday Muffins For Thanksgiving Desserts

This is the fun part! Gently fold in the 1/2 cup of chopped nuts and 1/2 cup of dried cranberries. Just stir until they’re evenly distributed throughout the batter. Mmm, I can already smell ’em!

Baking Your Holiday Muffins For Thanksgiving Desserts

Alright, now, before you do ANYTHING else, preheat your oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). This is super important! Grease your muffin tin or use muffin liners (I prefer liners, less mess!). Fill each muffin cup about 2/3 full. Pop ’em in the oven and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let them cool in the muffin tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. And then…ENJOY!

Tips for Perfect Holiday Muffins For Thanksgiving Desserts

Want these Holiday Muffins For Thanksgiving Desserts to be AMAZING? Of course, you do! Here are a few little secrets I’ve learned over the years to make ’em perfect every time.

Don’t overmix the batter! Seriously, that’s the #1 muffin killer.
Use room temperature ingredients. It really does make a difference!
Check for doneness with a toothpick. If it comes out clean (or with just a few moist crumbs), they’re ready!
Let ’em cool slightly in the muffin tin before removing them. Trust me on this one – they’re less likely to fall apart!

Avoiding Common Mistakes When Baking Holiday Muffins For Thanksgiving Desserts

Overmixing the batter leads to tough muffins. Nobody wants that! And make sure your oven temperature is accurate. Uneven baking is a real bummer.

Ensuring Moist and Delicious Holiday Muffins For Thanksgiving Desserts

Using oil instead of butter helps keep these muffins super moist. Also, don’t overbake them! A slightly underbaked muffin is way better than a dry one, in my book!

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Variations on These Holiday Muffins For Thanksgiving Desserts

Okay, so you’ve got the basic recipe down, but wanna get a little crazy? These Holiday Muffins For Thanksgiving Desserts are *begging* for you to put your own spin on ’em! Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Different nuts or dried fruits – the possibilities are endless!
Add spices like cinnamon or nutmeg – hello, cozy fall flavors!
Use pumpkin puree for a pumpkin spice version – so Thanksgiving-y!
Top with a streusel topping – because everything’s better with streusel!

Spice Up Your Holiday Muffins For Thanksgiving Desserts

A dash of cinnamon, a pinch of nutmeg…wow! Seriously, adding warm spices takes these muffins to a whole new level of deliciousness. My favorite is a combo of cinnamon and a little bit of ginger. So good!

Fruity Holiday Muffins For Thanksgiving Desserts

Craving something a little different than cranberries? No problem! Raisins, apricots, dried cherries…they all work great! Just swap ’em out in equal amounts, and you’re good to go!

Nutty Holiday Muffins For Thanksgiving Desserts

Walnuts? Pecans? Almonds? Go nuts! (Hehe, get it?). Seriously, use your favorite nuts! Or, you know, use a mix! I usually throw in whatever I have on hand. It always turns out amazing!

Serving Suggestions for Your Holiday Muffins For Thanksgiving Desserts

Okay, so you’ve baked these amazing Holiday Muffins For Thanksgiving Desserts. Now what? Well, they’re pretty darn delicious on their own, but if you wanna get fancy, try serving them with a dollop of whipped cream. Or, you know, a sprinkle of powdered sugar never hurt anyone! A drizzle of maple syrup? YES, please! And if you’re feeling healthy (ish), serve ’em with a side of fresh fruit. Yum!

Storing and Reheating Holiday Muffins For Thanksgiving Desserts

Got leftovers? Lucky you! These Holiday Muffins For Thanksgiving Desserts are still yummy the next day. Just pop ’em in an airtight container and keep ’em at room temperature for up to 3 days. Wanna keep ’em longer? Freeze ’em! When you’re ready for a treat, just zap one in the microwave for a few seconds, or warm it up in the oven. Easy peasy!

Frequently Asked Questions About Holiday Muffins For Thanksgiving Desserts

Got questions about these yummy Holiday Muffins For Thanksgiving Desserts? I’ve got answers! Here are a few things folks often ask me:

Can I use gluten-free flour?
Can I make these ahead of time?
Can I freeze these muffins?

Can I Make Holiday Muffins For Thanksgiving Desserts Ahead of Time?

Absolutely! Bake ’em a day or two before Thanksgiving. Just store them in an airtight container at room temperature, and they’ll be perfect and ready to go!

Freezing and Thawing Holiday Muffins For Thanksgiving Desserts

Yep, you can totally freeze these! Let ’em cool completely, then wrap each muffin individually in plastic wrap. Pop ’em in a freezer bag, and they’ll keep for up to 2 months! To thaw, just leave them at room temperature for a couple of hours, or microwave them for a few seconds. Easy peasy!

Substituting Ingredients in Holiday Muffins For Thanksgiving Desserts

Want to swap things out? Go for it! You can try different nuts, dried fruits, or even different types of milk. Just experiment and see what you like best! Baking is all about having fun, right?

Nutritional Information for Holiday Muffins For Thanksgiving Desserts

Okay, so everyone always wants to know about the nutrition, right? Here’s the thing: since everyone uses different brands and ingredients, it’s tough to give exact numbers! So, just keep in mind that the nutritional information can vary. I’m not providing specific numbers here, but you can always plug the ingredients you use into a nutrition calculator online if you’re curious!

Rate This Holiday Muffins For Thanksgiving Desserts Recipe

Loved these Holiday Muffins For Thanksgiving Desserts? Leave a comment and rate the recipe below! And hey, share your muffin masterpieces on social media – I wanna see ’em!