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Keto Cranberry Muffins, A Seasonal Treat

My recipe for keto cranberry muffins combines the flavors of fresh cranberries and cream cheese for one delightful muffin.

These low-carb cranberry muffins are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or anytime you want a keto-friendly treat!

Keto cranberry recipes like these muffins allow you to enjoy cranberries on a low-carb diet.

These cranberry keto muffins can be made with either fresh or frozen cranberries, which makes them not only delicious but packed with good-for-you antioxidants.

When fresh cranberries make an appearance while in season, my family goes into a bit of a frenzy. It seems everyone who visits me feels compelled to bring me a bag or two of fresh cranberries.

Probably because they know I will make good use of them to make a low-carb cranberry recipe. 

This unexplained generosity is the reason it’s not uncommon for me to have up to ten bags of frozen cranberries in my freezer.

I am not the least bit exaggerating. What’s a girl to do with the abundance of cranberries?

Of course, I’ll create new recipes for you. And this is how my recipe for low-carb cranberry muffins was born.

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I have a complete list of Keto Cakes that, as a fan of muffins, cupcakes, or cakes, you will also enjoy.

Make sure you also check out our Keto Cream Cheese Recipes for other delicious recipes that feature cream cheese.

Keto Cranberry Muffins
Keto Cranberry Muffins

Keto Cranberry Muffins

I suspect all that experimenting is what encourages my family to keep that freezer nice and full.

So, if you’ve tried this recipe for keto cream cheese cranberry muffins and it’s caused you to fall in love with baking again, I guess you can thank my family for this.

There is something quite special about biting into a low-carb cream cheese muffin that’s packed with juicy cranberries.

The combination of cream cheese, almond flour, and cranberries makes for the perfect little healthy muffin.

I especially enjoy serving these as a quick breakfast or for a lazy brunch with the family. But who am I kidding? These keto cream cheese cranberry muffins are welcome at any time of day.

So, don’t make the mistake that they are only a morning option.

These cranberry muffins are light and fluffy and come together quickly. The best part is that cranberries are low in carbs and high in fiber, and because they pack so much flavor, a little goes a long way. 

And these low-carb cranberry muffins have only 2.2 grams of net carbs per serving.

Ingredients Needed For Keto Cranberry Muffins

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The following are the ingredients needed to make gluten-free cranberry muffins:

Note that the full printable recipe card is at the bottom of the page, along with the nutritional facts.

Keto Orange Glaze

How To Make Keto Cranberry Muffins

keto cranberry muffins cooling on a baking rack
keto cranberry muffins cooling on a baking rack

These muffins come together easily, making them perfect for the holiday season.

You’ll start by combining the dry ingredients, the finely milled almond flour, as well as the orange zest, baking powder, and salt.

I always recommend that you measure and sift the almond flour for a consistent texture every time.

Then, in a large bowl, using an electric mixer, you’ll combine the softened cream cheese, orange extract, and sugar substitute.

I should add that my favorite sugar-free sweetener is Lakanto’s monk fruit sweetener.

Once that is well mixed, you’ll add the eggs one at a time, being sure to scrape the bowl a couple of times in the process.

Then, you’ll add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and combine until fully incorporated.

Next, you’ll fold in the cranberries. If you are adding the coconut flakes, you will also add them at this time.

You can use both fresh and frozen cranberries in this recipe, and you do not even have to defrost if using frozen.

However, the one caveat is that you want to make sure to use fresh or frozen fresh tart cranberries since dried cranberries are typically very high in sugar. 

The bright, tart flavor of cranberries pairs well with orange extract, although I have also used lemon.

I also included a recipe for a glaze made with a confectioner’s sugar substitute; I like using Lakanto powdered or Swerve Confectioners.

keto cranberry muffins fresh out of a muffin tin
keto cranberry muffins fresh out of a muffin tin

Doing so will produce a lighter muffin. I encourage you to visit our Keto Baking Tips for more of my tried-and-true ketogenic baking advice.

Best Sugar Substitutes For Sugar-Free Cranberry Muffins

When choosing the best sugar-free sweetener, I have several options for you to choose from.

I really like Lakanto Monk Fruit Sweetener because the texture is spot on and because there is barely any aftertaste. Plus, it uses only natural ingredients.

This is a great one, especially if you are new to sugar substitutes, because it mimics sugar the most, in my opinion.

I’m also partial to Swerve, an erythritol blend, although you should keep in mind that it does have a bit more of a cooling aftertaste that some people dislike. 

Alternatively, you could also use a stevia- and erythritol-based brand like Pyure. 

This is if you prefer to use stevia in your baked goods. If you go this route, you need to reduce the amount by half since it is twice as sweet. 

Lastly, if you can’t easily find a more natural sugar substitute, you can also use Splenda with great success.

I know not everyone would agree with me here, and I respect that, but in my book, it’s still better than regular sugar.

However, when it comes to the keto orange icing, you will have to use a confectioner’s sugar substitute. Both Lakanto and Swerve have great ones. 

Health Benefits of Cranberries

Rather than fight my family’s need to hoard cranberries, I’ve just learned to leave a dedicated area for them in my freezer. Not to mention that it allows me to enjoy keto cranberry recipes all year long.

So these days, when my family shows up with yet another bag of cranberries, I cheerfully shove them in a corner of my freezer.

But why so much excitement over these bright red berries? Maybe it’s because they are packed with flavor and nutrition.

The truth is, no one really knows how cranberries became part of our holiday culture here in the States, but historians speculate that it had something to do with the Native Americans, who used cranberries widely.

They not only used cranberries for food but even for medicine and as a way to dye their clothing. Pretty genius, huh?

Well, I don’t mind seeing cranberries as medicine, but you won’t see me dyeing any cloth with them, because this girl would rather see them in a keto cream cheese muffin.

Cranberries are considered healthy due to their high nutrient and antioxidant content. Do you know that cranberries are considered a superfood?

That’s because they have been linked to lowering the risk of urinary tract infections, aiding in boosting the immune system, decreasing blood pressure, and even preventing certain types of cancer.

Moreover, cranberries are anti-inflammatory, full of phytonutrients, and antioxidants, and packed with vitamin C.

These keto cranberry muffins are a seasonal treat. They are tender, moist and bursting with cranberries. keto cranberry muffins|low carb cranberry muffins| keto cranberry recipe|low carb cranberry recipe| cranberries

Why The Need To Stock Up On Cranberries?

I suspect that my family’s fascination with cranberries has more to do with how tasty they are, but I’m thrilled they are also getting some added nutrition with every serving of my low-carb keto cranberry coconut muffins.

Thankfully, cranberries also happen to be low in carbs and can, therefore, be used safely in a low-carb diet, a win-win in our family.

If you are a fan of cranberries, you should also check out my keto cranberry orange bread and my keto cranberry orange cream cheese cookies. These make a lovely seasonal addition to any family gathering. 

Tag Us

I sure hope you will give this cranberry keto muffin recipe a try. Once you do, make sure you remember to tag us on Instagram and Facebook.

It’s what keeps this girl encouraged to keep sharing and perfecting her recipes.

Also, check out our Amazon Store for our recommendations. You might be surprised by how many great keto options are at your disposal.

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In case you don’t know, we have authored two books for you, Essential Keto Bread and Essential Keto Desserts, both inspired by your requests over the years.

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Keto cranberry muffins cooling on a baking rack

Keto Cranberry Muffins

Yield: 24
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes

These keto cranberry muffins recipe combine the flavors cranberries with cream cheese for a perfect seasonal, keto-friendly treat.

Ingredients

Orange Glaze, optional

  • 3/4 cup of confectioner's sugar substitute, I use Lakanto
  • 3 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons of heavy whipping cream
  • 1 teaspoon of orange extract
  • 2 teaspoons of fresh orange zest

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Measure and sift the almond flour and set it aside.
  3. In a large bowl using an electric mixer combine the cream cheese, and butter, orange extract and beat on high until light and fluffy.
  4. Add the sugar substitute and continue to mix well.
  5. Add the whole eggs one at a time, making sure that they are fully incorporated.
  6. Stir in the sifted almond flour, salt, baking powder, orange zest, and mix well.
  7. Lastly, fold in the 2 cups of whole cranberries, and unsweetened coconut flakes (if adding) and mix until the batter is fully incorporated.
  8. Pour cake batter into two cupcake-lined muffin pans.
  9. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
  10. While the muffins bake you make the optional glaze.
  11. Muffins can be stored for up to 5 days in the refrigerator or frozen for up to 3 weeks.

Keto Orange Glaze

  1. In a small bowl whisk the confectioner's sugar substitute, lemon juice, orange zest, orange extract, and heavy cream. Stir until fully combined.
  2. Drizzle the tops of the muffins once they have fully cooled.

Notes

The addition of unsweetened coconut flakes is optional but add another layer of texture.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 195Total Fat: 17.8gSaturated Fat: 8.4gCholesterol: 75mgSodium: 76mgCarbohydrates: 4.3gNet Carbohydrates: 2.2gFiber: 2.1gSugar: 1.3gProtein: 5.5g

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

Suzanne

Monday 20th of March 2023

Wow! I think I'll be making these again very soon. We all ate them up! Followed recipe as written. Took about 40 mins in my oven but I made jumbo muffins. Great amount of sweetness and cranberries just make it. Can't wait to see your other recipes and keep on my plan.

Hilda Solares

Tuesday 21st of March 2023

Hi Susanne, So happy to hear you enjoyed the muffin recipe. Thanks for stopping by and leaving an encouraging comment.

Hibber

Saturday 10th of December 2022

I just made a full recipe, but used just 1 cup of the sugar and it was plenty sweet. I also put in 6 large & 1 small egg, and it was fine--just a little eggy. I couldn't taste the shredded coconut.

Hilda Solares

Monday 12th of December 2022

Hi Hibber, So happy to hear that you enjoyed the recipe.

Marcy Solano

Friday 2nd of December 2022

Hi Hilda, I was wondering if I can use coconut sugar, that's about the sugar substitute I use. Thank you for sharing your recipes. God Bless you.

Hilda Solares

Monday 5th of December 2022

Hi Marcy, You can of course use coconut sugar, it just won't be as low in carbs but the texture is not affected.

Lola Rabern

Saturday 2nd of October 2021

You said 2 pans. Does this make 24 muffins?

Hilda Solares

Monday 4th of October 2021

Hi Lola, yes this makes 24 muffins.

Alie

Saturday 8th of May 2021

Hi. Can I use blueberry instead of cranberry? And If yes, how much should I use?

Thanks for sharing. I’m going to try you Cream cheese pound cake.

God Bless!

Hilda Solares

Monday 10th of May 2021

Hi Alie, I have a keto blueberry muffin if you prefer that flavor profile in that recipe I added 2 cups of blueberries and they can be fresh or frozen.

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