11 Easy & Festive Christmas Muffin Recipes

Christmas morning—full of excitement, gift wrapping chaos, and maybe a little caffeine. But what’s the one thing that can make it even better? Muffins! And not just any muffins, but delicious home baked ones with all the flavors of the season, served warm straight out of the oven. I know that balancing holiday fun with meal prep can be a juggling act, which is why I’ve rounded up the 11 best Christmas muffin recipes that will turn breakfast (or snack time) into a holiday event of its own.

With years of experience whipping up family-friendly recipes and a dash of holiday baking expertise, I’m here to make sure you’ve got a treat on hand that’s easy to prepare, delicious to eat, and guaranteed to impress even the pickiest of little elves. From cranberry orange to gingerbread to chocolate chip muffins that’ll have you jingling all the way—trust me, these recipes are the real deal! 

So whether you’re feeding a hungry crowd before the present unwrapping frenzy or sneaking in a sweet snack for yourself (because, hey, you deserve it!), these muffins will bring joy to your home—and maybe a moment of peace. Ready to bake? Let’s do this! 

1. Gingerbread Muffins

These gingerbread muffins are loaded with all the warm, spicy flavors you love—ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Moist and tender, they taste like a gingerbread house in muffin form, minus the mess of construction. Perfect for breakfast or a snack with coffee!

Serves: 12

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 1 egg
• 3/4 cup milk

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with liners.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until creamy. Add molasses, egg, and milk, and mix until smooth.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until combined.
5. Divide the batter into the muffin tin and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

2. Cranberry Orange Muffins

These Cranberry Orange Muffins are a delightful blend of sweet and tart, with juicy cranberries and bright orange zest. They’re light, fluffy, and bursting with holiday flavor. The fresh, zesty orange pairs perfectly with the tart cranberries for a festive muffin that’s perfect for holiday brunches.

Serves: 12

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• Zest of 1 orange
• 1 egg
• 1 1/2 cups fresh cranberries

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with liners.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In another bowl, whisk together sugar, melted butter, orange juice, orange zest, and egg.
4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Fold in the cranberries.
5. Divide the batter evenly and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until golden brown.

3. Apple and Cinnamon Muffins

These Apple and Cinnamon Muffins are the epitome of cozy. Packed with fresh apples and warm cinnamon, each bite is like a mini taste of apple pie! These muffins are super moist, thanks to the apples, and the cinnamon adds just the right amount of spice for a perfect winter morning treat.

Serves: 12

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 1/2 cups diced apples

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with liners.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
3. In another bowl, whisk together melted butter, sugar, eggs, and milk.
4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until combined. Fold in the apples.
5. Scoop the batter into the muffin tin and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

4. Cranberry White Chocolate Muffins

Sweet meets tart in these Cranberry White Chocolate Muffins. Juicy cranberries are paired with creamy white chocolate chunks for a perfectly festive muffin that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. These muffins are a fantastic balance of sweet and tart, making them the perfect addition to any holiday breakfast or snack lineup.

Serves: 12

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups fresh cranberries
• 1/2 cup white chocolate chips

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with liners.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In another bowl, whisk together melted butter, sugar, milk, and eggs.
4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until combined. Fold in cranberries and white chocolate chips.
5. Divide the batter and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until golden brown.

5. Hot Chocolate Muffins

If you’re a fan of hot chocolate (and who isn’t?!), these Hot Chocolate Muffins are for you. They’re rich, chocolatey, and topped with mini marshmallows for the ultimate indulgent treat. These muffins taste just like your favorite winter drink—hot, chocolatey, and oh-so-cozy, especially with the melted marshmallow topping!

Serves: 12

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• Mini marshmallows (for topping)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with liners.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In another bowl, whisk together melted butter, sugar, milk, and eggs.
4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Fold in the chocolate chips.
5. Scoop the batter into the muffin tin and top with mini marshmallows. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until marshmallows are golden and gooey.

6. Chocolate Chip Christmas Muffins

These Chocolate Chip Christmas Muffins are soft, fluffy, and loaded with festive milk, red, and green chocolate chips. They’re a holiday twist on a classic, making them perfect for Christmas morning! They’re easy, delicious, and the kids will love the festive chocolate chips—it’s like a Christmas party in every bite! 

Serves: 12

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup milk, red, and green chocolate chips

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with liners.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In another bowl, whisk together melted butter, sugar, milk, and eggs.
4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Fold in chocolate chips.
5. Divide the batter and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until golden brown.

7. Eggnog Muffins

These Eggnog Muffins are bursting with the rich, creamy flavor of eggnog, plus a hint of nutmeg to bring out all those classic holiday flavors. A great one for the adults – I love one of these whilst I’m wrapping the presents and the kids have gone to bed! 

Serves: 12

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 cup eggnog
• 1 egg
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with liners.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and nutmeg.
3. In another bowl, whisk together melted butter, sugar, eggnog, and egg.
4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
5. Scoop the batter into the muffin tin and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

8. Apple Crumble Muffins

These Apple Crumble Muffins are packed with cinnamon-spiced apples and topped with a crunchy oat crumble for a deliciously textured treat. They’re the perfect combination of sweet, spiced apples and a crispy, buttery topping—ideal for a cozy Christmas morning.

Serves: 12

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 egg
• 1 1/2 cups diced apples
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• Crumble topping:
  • 1/4 cup oats
  • 2 tbsp flour
  • 2 tbsp butter, melted
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with liners.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
3. In another bowl, whisk together melted butter, sugar, milk, and egg. Stir in the diced apples.
4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
5. For the crumble, mix oats, flour, butter, and brown sugar. Sprinkle on top of each muffin.
6. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until golden brown.

9. Spiced Christmas Pudding Muffins

These Spiced Christmas Pudding Muffins are inspired by the flavors of traditional Christmas pudding, with warm spices and dried fruits for a festive treat. If you love Christmas pudding but want something lighter and quicker, these muffins are the perfect compromise. You could even serve them after Christmas dinner if you like! 

Serves: 12

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp allspice
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup mixed dried fruits (raisins, currants, etc.)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with liners.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and sugar.
3. In another bowl, whisk together melted butter, milk, and egg.
4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until combined. Fold in dried fruits.
5. Divide the batter and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until golden.

10. Chocolate Peppermint Muffins

These Chocolate Peppermint Muffins are rich, fudgy, and topped with a festive swirl of crushed candy canes for a delicious holiday twist. If you’re a fan of the classic chocolate and peppermint combo, these muffins will be your go-to for Christmas.

Serves: 12

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 tsp peppermint extract
• Crushed candy canes (for topping)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with liners.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In another bowl, whisk together melted butter, sugar, milk, eggs, and peppermint extract.
4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
5. Scoop the batter into the muffin tin and top with crushed candy canes. Bake for 18-20 minutes.

11. Snickerdoodle Muffins

These Snickerdoodle Muffins are soft and fluffy, with a cinnamon-sugar topping that gives them that classic snickerdoodle flavor. If you’re a fan of snickerdoodle cookies, these muffins bring that same sweet, cinnamon goodness in a perfectly portable form.

Serves: 12

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 egg
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• Cinnamon-sugar (for topping)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with liners.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
3. In another bowl, whisk together melted butter, sugar, milk, and egg.
4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until combined.
5. Sprinkle cinnamon-sugar on top of each muffin and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until golden brown.

These 11 festive muffin recipes will make your holiday mornings (and afternoons) so much sweeter! Whether you’re a fan of rich chocolate, spicy gingerbread, or bright cranberry flavors, there’s something here for everyone to enjoy. Enjoy!