Sparkling Cranberry Muffins

This warm cranberry muffin, dipped in melted butter and then sugar, would be a delight on a cold snowy afternoon.

• Ready In: 35 mins
• Yields: 12 muffins

Ingredients

• 1  cup  chopped fresh cranberries or 1  cup frozen cranberries
• 2  tablespoons sugar
• 2  cups all-purpose flour
• 1⁄3 cup sugar
• 2  teaspoons baking powder
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 cup  cold butter
• 3⁄4 cup  orange juice
• 1  egg, slightly beaten
• 1⁄4 cup butter, melted
• 1⁄4 cup sugar

Directions

1. Heat oven to 400°F.
2. Combine cranberries and 2 tablespoons sugar in small bowl.
3. Set aside.
4. For the muffin mixture stir together flour, 1/3 cup sugar, baking powder and salt in large bowl.
5. Cut in 1/2 cup butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
6. Stir in orange juice and egg just until moistened.
7. Gently stir in cranberry-sugar mixture.
8. Spoon batter into greased or paper-lined muffin pan.
9. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown.
10. Cool 5 minutes; remove from pan.
11. Dip tops of muffins in 1/4 cup melted butter, then in sugar.
12. Serve warm.