As the holiday season approaches, there’s nothing quite like the aroma of freshly baked Christmas muffins wafting through the air!
A go-to in my festive repertoire?
These mini Christmas muffins that look stunning, resembling adorable Santa hats.
My kids love these bite-size wonders, and I can’t wait to make them again for Christmas morning this year. There is nothing like watching your kids’ faces light up when they see these festive treats!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
The beauty of these mini Christmas muffins lies not just in their festive appearance but in the simplicity of the recipe. Here’s why you’re bound to fall in love:
Tips and Tricks
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of the recipe, here are some tips and tricks to ensure your mini Christmas muffins turn out as delightful as can be:
- Room Temperature Magic: Ensure that your eggs and butter are at room temperature. This helps create fluffy muffins with a perfect texture.
- Get Zesty: Don’t skimp on the zest! The combination of citrusy orange zest and the warmth of cocoa adds a delightful kick to your muffins.
- Creative Toppings: Experiment with toppings! Try a variety of berries, a drizzle of melted white chocolate, or even a dusting of icing sugar for that extra festive touch.
- Perfectly Portioned: Use a cookie scoop or spoon to ensure uniform portions of batter for each mini muffin cup.
Now, let’s get down to the delicious details!
Ingredients Needed for Mini Christmas Muffins
- 1/2 cup butter, at room temperature
- 2 large eggs
- 3 tbsp cocoa
- orange juice and zest from 1 orange
- 4 tbsp honey
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 cup cream cheese
- 24 strawberries, washed and stems removed
Step-by-Step Preparation With Pictures
1. Preheat the oven to 350° F.
2. To a medium bowl, add butter, eggs, cocoa, and orange juice. Mix well.
3. Add 3 tbsp honey (leave 1 tbsp for frosting), other dry ingredients, and orange zest.
4. Mix well.
5. Place muffin batter in muffin cups, leaving room for expansion. Use muffin liners or spray each cup with nonstick cooking spray.
6. Bake for 12-13 minutes in preheated oven until golden brown or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. While muffins cool, in a separate bowl, mix cream cheese and 1 tbsp honey.
8. Add a small teaspoon of the frosting on each muffin top. Use a pipping bag for the swirly look.
9. Place 1 strawberry on top of each muffin. Add a small dollop of frosting on top of each strawberry. Again, use a pipping bag for a swirly look.
10. Enjoy your super cute mini holiday muffins!
Variations
Don’t be afraid to get creative with your mini Christmas muffins and make them even more interesting. Here are some ideas:
- For Chocolate Lovers: Mix in mini chocolate chips into the batter for a double chocolate effect in every bite.
- Whipped Cream: Not a fan of cream cheese or in a hurry, use whipped cream instead. Nicely swirl it on top of each muffin and place the strawberries.
- Festive Look: Top with green sprinkles for an even more festive flair.
- Cranberry Crunch: Add a handful of fresh cranberries and chopped nuts, such as pecans or walnuts, to the batter for a satisfying crunch in every muffin.
Serving Tips
Make your Christmas morning or holiday gatherings extra special by presenting your mini Christmas muffins in a festive display alongside other holiday favorites. Here’s how to create a memorable spread:
- Festive Display: Arrange your homemade muffins on a decorative platter, surrounded by Christmas cookies, gingerbread muffins, chocolate blossom cookies, candy canes, and cinnamon rolls.
- Christmas Day Indulgence: Serve these delightful mini muffins as the first thing on Christmas Day. They are the perfect bite-sized treat to kick off the festivities and keep everyone in high spirits.
- Aromas of the Season: Let the house smell like the festive season by baking these muffins on Christmas Eve which will add to the holiday ambiance.
- Pair with Hot Chocolate: Enhance the experience by pairing your mini Christmas muffins with steaming hot chocolate. The combination of warm, fluffy muffins and a cup of cocoa is a match made in Christmas heaven.
- Cranberry Sauce Delight: Offer spoonfuls of cranberry sauce on the side. The sweet and tangy flavor complements the muffins perfectly, adding an extra layer of festivity to each bite.
Storage
To keep your mini Christmas muffins fresh for longer:
- Storage: Store the muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- Freezer Friendly: These muffins freeze well. Place them in a freezer-safe container, separating layers with parchment paper. Thaw at room temperature when ready to enjoy. Reheat in the microwave on high for 20 seconds.
One Last Thing
Make these muffins a part of your Christmas Eve tradition. Bake them the night before, and wake up to the delightful aroma and the joy of indulging in a festive treat.
Whether it’s Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, or any day during the festive season, these mini muffins are a delightful treat that captures the spirit during this time of year!
Your Turn
If you make these festive Christmas muffins, please take a moment to let me know how you liked them by leaving a star rating and a comment below on the recipe card.
Make These Christmas Recipes Next
- Santa Charcuterie Board: Easy & Cute Christmas Snack Board
- Caprese Christmas Tree Salad: A Festive Appetizer
- Chocolate Blossom Cookies: Festive Christmas Recipe
- Easy Homemade Christmas Marshmallow Pops: Santa’s Bag
Mini Christmas Muffins: Easy to Make Festive & Merry Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter at room temperature
- 2 large eggs
- 3 tbsp cocoa
- orange juice and zest from 1 orange
- 4 tbsp honey
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 cup cream cheese
- 24 strawberries washed and stems removed
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 350° F.
- 2. To a medium bowl, add butter, eggs, cocoa, and orange juice. Mix well.1/2 cup butter, 2 large eggs, 3 tbsp cocoa, orange juice and zest from 1 orange
- 3. Add 3 tbsp honey (leave 1 tbsp for frosting), other dry ingredients, and orange zest.4 tbsp honey, 1 cup all purpose flour, 1/2 tsp baking powder, orange juice and zest from 1 orange
- 4. Mix well.
- 5. Place muffin batter in muffin cups, leaving room for expansion. Use muffin liners or spray each cup with nonstick cooking spray.
- 6. Bake for 12-13 minutes in preheated oven until golden brown or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- 7. While muffins cool, in a separate bowl, mix cream cheese and 1 tbsp honey.1/2 cup cream cheese, 4 tbsp honey
- 8. Add a small teaspoon of the frosting on each muffin top. Use a pipping bag for the swirly look.
- 9. Place 1 strawberry on top of each muffin. Add a small dollop of frosting on top of each strawberry. Again, use a pipping bag for a swirly look.24 strawberries
- 10. Enjoy your super cute mini holiday muffins!
Notes
- Ensure that your eggs and butter are at room temperature. This helps create fluffy muffins with a perfect texture.
- Don’t skimp on the zest! The combination of citrusy orange zest and the warmth of cocoa adds a delightful kick to your muffins.
- Experiment with toppings! Try a variety of berries, a drizzle of melted white chocolate, or even a dusting of icing sugar for that extra festive touch.
Nutrition
Tamara Tsaturyan is the owner and writer of Thriving In Parenting, a website focused on providing simple tips for busy parents — easy and healthy recipes, home decor and organization ideas and all things P A R E N T I N G.
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