Fresh Cranberry Muffins

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1.5 teaspoons baking powder
• 0.5 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 teaspoons orange zest
• 1.5 teaspoons ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 0.5 teaspoons ground ginger
• 0.5 cups shortening
• 0.75 cups orange juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 eggs , beaten
• 1.5 cups chopped cranberries
• 1.5 cups chopped walnuts
• 1 can whole cranberry sauce , 8 ounce
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar , packed
• 0.25 cups margarine

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray or grease a 12 cup and 6 cup muffin tin.

2. 2

   Mix together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, orange peel, nutmeg, cinnamon and ginger.

3. 3

   Cut in shortening; stir in juice, vanilla, eggs, cranberries and nuts. Pour into muffin cups and bake for 25 minutes or until brown.

4. 4

   Prepare the topping in a saucepan over low heat by whisking together the cranberry sauce, brown sugar and margarine. Cook until heated and smooth. Remove from heat and serve as a spread for the muffins.