Gluten Free Cranberry Orange Cottage Cheese Muffins
There’s something inherently comforting about muffins, especially when they're packed with tangy cranberries, zesty orange, and the secret star ingredient—cottage cheese. These gluten-free cottage cheese muffins aren't just any breakfast treat; they're a perfectly balanced, protein-packed delight that walks the fine line between indulgence and health. The cottage cheese adds a subtle creaminess that makes these muffins moist and satisfying without being heavy. Whether you’re looking for a quick breakfast, a snack to power through the afternoon, or a not-so-guilty pleasure to pair with your evening tea, these muffins are about to become your new go-to.
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup white sugar
- 2 extra large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose GF flour blend
- ½ teaspoon xanthan gum omit if your flour blend already contains a gum
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup whole milk
- 1 cup lowfat cottage cheese
- 1 cup cranberries chopped
- zest from one orange
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line muffin tin with paper liners or grease with butter. In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream butter with brown sugar, and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla and beat until combined.
- In another small bowl, whisk flour blend, xanthan gum, baking powder, and salt. Add dry ingredients to the butter mixture along with the whole milk and mix until just combined. Carefully fold in cottage cheese, cranberries, orange zest and nuts until evenly incorporated.
- Spoon into muffin cups, filling each about ⅔ full. Bake for 20 minutes, or until cooked throughout.
Notes
If my kids knew there was cottage cheese in their muffins they would probably never try them. But it adds protein and moisture, and went thoroughly undetected by my pickiest eaters. If you're not GF, use regular AP flour in place of the GF flour blend, and omit the xanthan gum.
Nutrition
Serving: 1muffinCalories: 257kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 6gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 52mgSodium: 245mgPotassium: 87mgFiber: 3gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 323IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 99mgIron: 1mg
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