Spiced Cranberry Muffins

DIRECTIONS

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Generously butter or grease a standard 12-cup muffin pan and dust with flour, tapping out excess; set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl, toss cranberries with about 1 1/2 teaspoons flour mixture to lightly coat; set aside the flour mixture and the cranberries.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or using a handheld mixer, beat butter and sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the 2 eggs, one at a time, beating until combined. Add cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.
• With the mixer on low speed, add reserved flour mixture, beating until just combined. Add milk and vanilla, beating until just combined. Do not overmix. Using a rubber spatula, fold in the cranberries. Divide batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups.
• If desired, in a small bowl, mix together about a tablespoon of sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle sugar mixture on top of muffin batter.
• Bake, rotating pan halfway though, until muffins are golden brown and a cake tester inserted in the center of one muffin comes out clean, about 25-30 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack to cool 10 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.