Golden Cranberry-Sparkling Muffins for New Year's Day

What Makes This Special

Bring a festive Polish flair to your New Year’s Day brunch with these plush, golden muffins layered with tart cranberries and the subtle sparkle of champagne. This recipe uses an easy one-bowl technique to mimic lamination—creating buttery, tender layers for an elevated, celebratory treat!

Ingredients

These muffins blend traditional Polish baking touches with modern, seasonal flavors. Cold butter is gently folded in for layered richness, fresh cranberries lend wintery brightness, and sparkling wine ensures a soft crumb and a hint of festivity—plus, a golden sugar crust to finish.

For the Muffins

• Flour (300g): The sturdy base; all-purpose keeps things simple and reliable.
• Cold Butter (120g): Key for lamination—creates tender, flaky layers.
• Sugar (120g): Sweetness and moisture.
• Eggs (2): Structure and richness.
• Sparkling Wine (150ml): Adds flavor, tenderness, and a little celebration.
• Sour Cream (100g): Classic Polish tang and extra moisture.
• Vanilla & Orange Zest: Layers of aromatic flavor.
• Leaveners (baking powder, baking soda): Lift and lightness.
• Cranberries (120g): Festive tartness and color.
• Golden Caster Sugar & Melted Butter: For gilded, crackly tops.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Pan and Ingredients

Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners. Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F). Measure all ingredients and keep butter as cold as possible until use (chill the cubed butter if needed).

Step 2: Start the One-Bowl Base

In a large mixing bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and granulated sugar. Add the cold, cubed butter. Use a pastry cutter, two knives, or your fingertips to cut and gently rub the butter into the flour until it forms rough, pea-sized pieces. Don’t overwork! This creates the layered texture—an easy, one-bowl nod to classic lamination.

Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients

Into the same bowl, add eggs, sparkling wine, sour cream, vanilla, and orange zest. Fold everything together—use a spatula and mix just until a shaggy, lumpy dough forms. Small streaks of butter are a good sign! Add chopped cranberries and gently fold to distribute.

Step 4: Layer and Fill

For extra lamination, use a spatula to fold the dough over itself 3–4 times inside the bowl (not kneading—just gentle folding). This will create visible buttery layers and height in your muffins.

Scoop batter evenly into the prepared muffin cups (they’ll be generously filled).

Step 5: Make Golden Topping

In a small bowl, combine melted butter and golden caster sugar. Spoon a little over each muffin for a festive, crunchy finish.

Step 6: Bake

Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until golden on top and a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow to cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack.

Pro Tips

• Keep butter cold! Chilled butter is essential for flaky, layered muffins—work quickly and return the dough to the fridge if it gets too soft.
• Don’t overmix. Gentle folding preserves butter pockets and prevents tough muffins.
• Layer for lift. Those extra folds before scooping give more visible lamination—think croissant-style rise, but fuss-free.

Troubleshooting

Muffins are dense or tough? Overmixing is the likely culprit—mix only until just combined and ensure the butter is in small pieces, not blended in.

Butter melted before baking? If your kitchen is warm, chill the filled muffin tin for 10 minutes before baking. This slows butter melting and enhances layers.

Variations

• Apple & Cinnamon: Swap cranberries for diced apple and add 1 tsp cinnamon to the flour.
• Almond & Cherry: Replace cranberries with chopped dried cherries and add 1 tsp almond extract.
• Lemon-Poppy: Use lemon zest instead of orange and add 1 tbsp poppy seeds for a fresh twist.

Storage

Store cooled muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer freshness, refrigerate for up to 5 days (rewarm briefly before serving). Muffins freeze beautifully—wrap individually and freeze up to 1 month, then thaw and warm for a just-baked treat!

Bring these golden, sparkling muffins to the center of your New Year’s celebration and enjoy a taste of Polish-inspired holiday baking—effortless, festive, and full of flavor.