Cranberry and Cream Cheese Muffins

• vegetable oil cooking spray or butter, for greasing
• cup butter, softened↗1 cup
• (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened↗1
• cups sugar↗1 1⁄2 cups
• teaspoons vanilla extract↗1 1⁄2 teaspoons
• eggs↗4
• cups flour↗2 cups
• teaspoons baking powder↗1 1⁄2 teaspoons
• teaspoon salt↗1⁄2 teaspoon
• cups cranberries, dusted with↗2 cups
• tablespoons flour↗2 tablespoons
• cup pecans, chopped (or other nuts)↗1⁄2 cup

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 350º. Spray or lightly butter muffin tins. You can also use cupcake liners.

2. 2

   Beat together butter, cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and eggs.

3. 3

   Mix together in another bowl: flour, baking powder, and salt. Fold in cranberries and nuts. Add to wet ingredients. Stir until just combined ~ do not over stir.

4. 4

   Immediately fill muffin tins 2/3 full with batter.

5. 5

   Bake until inserted toothpick comes out clean, about 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool 3 to 5 minutes before removing from pans.