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Packed full of flavor, these chocolate chip cranberry cream cheese muffins will have everyone coming back for more!

My mom’s extended family gets together for a Christmas dinner every year.  It’s a bit of a tradition that we all give each other small gifts.  Usually these gifts are homemade items, such a jam, cookies, quick breads, or something like that.  This year I decided to do some jam, and chocolate chip cranberry cream cheese muffins. [wprm-recipe-jump]

I was originally planning to make a quick bread, but apparently I’ve misplaced my loaf pans (seriously, where in the world could they be?).  So I decided to use the idea I had previously planned on, and turn it into muffins instead.  I always make muffins recipes to make 24 muffins.  With 5 of us in the family, a batch of 12 just seems a bit sad.  And since these were made for gifts, I had even more reason to make big batches.  If you’re making for a smaller crowd, feel free to half the recipe.  However, if you’re making 24 muffins, you’ll love my go-to muffin pan— it’s the best!  If you order using my link, I’ll make a small commission, but your price remains the same.

I wanted something a bit more decadent than the muffin recipes I usually use, which is why I went for one that included cream cheese.  And I knew I wanted cranberries, since they’re just so pretty and red.  But since they tend to be a bit tart, I thought chocolate chips in with them would be the perfect balance of sweet and tart.

In blogging, I’m constantly reminded of the words of King Solomon, “There’s nothing new under the sun.”  After I had figured out what I wanted in my recipe, I decided to check and see if this was unique.  Of course, someone had already made these.  When will I remember to check before I go to the work of coming up with an idea?

So, rather than experiment with a recipe, I used this recipe from Gather for Bread as the basis for my muffins, though the chocolate chip idea was all mine! lol.

My first batch was made with mini chocolate chips.  The second batch was made with regular.  You can use either.  I liked that the mini chocolate chips caused there to be more chocolate chips distributed throughout the muffins.

These turned out to be so delicious, especially when they’re warm from the oven.  There’s the hint of cream cheese flavor, the sweetness of the chocolate chips, and then a pop of flavor from the cranberries.  They were pretty much perfect!

I used fresh cranberries, but you could use frozen as well.  If you use frozen, just fold them into the batter still frozen.  If you thaw them, you’ll likely end up with red streaks throughout your muffin batter.

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Yield: 24 Muffins

Chocolate Chip Cranberry Cream Cheese Muffins

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Packed full of flavor, these chocolate chip cranberry cream cheese muffins will have everyone coming back for more!

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 35 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 cups flour
• 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 4 eggs
• 2 cups fresh cranberries
• 1 cup chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350º.  Line muffin pan with liners, or grease.
2. In a medium bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, cream butter, cream cheese, and sugar together until well mixed.
4. Add vanilla.
5. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after adding each one.
7. Add flour mixture to egg mixture a little at a time, until completely incorporated.
8. Add chocolate chips and cranberries, and gently fold batter until mixed in.
9. Divide batter between muffin cups.  They may seem quite full, but it will work.
10. Bake 20-25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the middle of the middle muffin comes out clean. Enjoy!

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  Wilton 300 Count Polka Dots Standard Baking Cups
• 
  KitchenAid Classic Mixing Bowls, Set of 5, Aqua Sky 2
• 
  Wilton Perfect Results Premium Non-Stick Mini Muffin and Cupcake Pan, 24-Cup

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

24

Serving Size:

24 Muffins
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 239Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 61mgSodium: 183mgCarbohydrates: 27gFiber: 1gSugar: 17gProtein: 3g

The nutritional information provided here is not guaranteed to be accurate and is provided for informational (and google) purposes only.

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