Easy Orange Cranberry Muffins

For the Orange Cranberry Muffins:

1. Preheat the oven to 375 °F. Line a (2) 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners or coat them with non-stick cooking spray. Sift together the flour and baking powder in a medium bowl and set aside.
2. In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, cream the butter, granulated sugar, and salt on medium speed. Scraping down the bowl occasionally until the mixture is smooth and light in color, about 5 minutes.
3. Whisk together the eggs, buttermilk, orange juice, vanilla and oil. Add to the butter-sugar mixture in two or three additions, mixing after each addition until fully incorporated and scraping down the bowl as needed.
4. Add the sifted dry ingredients and mix on low speed until evenly moistened. Fold in the cranberries. Divide the batter evenly into each cup in the prepared muffin pan, filling them three-quarters full. Gently tap the filled tin to release any air bubbles. Sprinkles with coarse sugar.
5. Bake the Orange Cranberry muffins at 375°F /191°C and until a skewer inserted near the center of the muffin comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Cool the muffins in the tin for a few minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.

For the Orange Glaze (optional):

1. In a mixing bowl, sift the powdered sugar to remove any lumps and make it smooth. Add freshly squeezed orange juice and grated orange zest (if using) to the powdered sugar. Mix these ingredients together until well combined. If the glaze seems too thick, gradually add orange juice, starting with 1 tablespoon. Stir well after each addition until you reach your desired glaze consistency.
2. You can make it thinner or thicker by adjusting the amount of orange juice. Optionally, add vanilla extract for a subtle vanilla flavor that complements the orange. Once you've achieved the desired consistency and flavor, your orange glaze is ready to use. Drizzle the glaze over your orange cranberry muffins while they are still warm. Use a spoon or a small spatula to help spread it evenly. Allow the glaze to set for a few minutes before serving. It will slightly harden as it cools.
3. Camila's Quick Note: For an alternative to sugar, replace it with 360g of streusel topping. This muffin base can serve as a versatile foundation for various muffin varieties, including:
4. Blueberry Muffins: Omit the cranberries and lemon zest, and instead, fold in 340g of blueberries (fresh or frozen). Follow the remaining ingredients and instructions as stated above.
5. Mixed Berry Muffins: Omit the cranberries and lemon zest, and instead, fold in 340g of mixed berries (fresh or frozen). Mixed berries could include raspberries, blueberries, chopped strawberries, or quartered blackberries. Follow the remaining ingredients and instructions as stated above.