This Skinny Cranberry Orange Loaf or Muffins are packed with cranberries and flavored with fresh orange juice! An easy muffin or loaf recipe that’s sure to be a favorite!
Servings: Makes 12 muffins or slices
GREEN/BLUE/PURPLE: 2 Smartpoints for 1 muffins or slice
What ingredients do I need for this Skinny Cranberry Orange Loaf or Muffins?
- All purpose flour– for this particular muffin/loaf recipe I use Gold Medal All Purpose Flour. You can substitute the all purpose flour for wheat, almond, or gluten-free flour. The point values may vary depending on the brand you use. For those looking for a gluten free option you can use THIS gluten-free flour. For those looking for a low carb option THIS almond flour would work great as a substitute.
- Baking powder-be sure to use aluminum free. Baking powder with aluminum can react to acidic ingredients (such as orange zest and juice), causing discoloration and a metallic taste.
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Egg
- Vanilla extract
- Zero point brown sugar substitute: I use LAKANTO GOLDEN SWEETENER
- Zero point white sugar substitute: I use LAKANTO CLASSIC OR BAKING SWEETENER
- Light butter or unsweetened applesauce: I use Land o’ Lakes made with canola oil light butter melted or if you prefer you can substitute the melted light butter for 3 Tbsp of unsweetened applesauce. I recommend the light butter. It really gives this loaf/muffins that creaminess! Also, the overall point value is the same for either option.
- Oranges: you will use the juice/zest from 2-3 large oranges. You can substitute the 2-4 Tbsp fresh organge juce for 1/4 cup of fresh bottled no sugar added orange juice.
- Fresh or frozen cranberries: If using frozen cranberries ( do not thaw them) toss them with 1 Tbsp of flour to coat-this will help ensure they don’t fall to the bottom or/and discolor the batter.
What sweetener do I use?
I use Lakanto Classic Monkfuit Sweetener and Lakanto Golden Monkfruit Sweetener in my baking recipes. The Classic is a zero point white granulated sugar substitute and the Golden is a zero point brown sugar substitute. Lakanto MonkFruit Sweetener is a zero glycemic, zero calorie and all natural sugar substitute. It is by far the best tasting sugar alternative and has zero aftertaste or gritty texture like some of the sugar alternatives have. It has a 1:1 ratio to real sugar-so if you were to use a different sugar substitute you will want to use the measurement that would be equal to real sugar. If you use a different sugar alternative you’ll want to check the point value on the brand you use. They can vary in points.
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Unsweetened Applesauce or Light Butter:
You can use unsweetened applesauce or light butter for these muffins. Either one works well and tastes amazing! I like to use the Land o’ Lakes light butter made with canola oil for this recipe. You can the Land O’ Lakes light butter made with canola at most grocery stores next to the butter. It comes in a tub-with a green lid. Be sure that it says light butter-they sell one that is regular that is made with canola oil as well-so be sure to check that it says light.
How do I make these Skinny Cranberry Orange Loaf or Muffins?
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9.5-inch bread pan or 12 cup muffin tin with non stick cooking spray. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl combine flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda. Set aside.
In a separate medium size mixing bowl combine egg, water, sugar sweeteners, orange juice, vanilla extract, and orange zest.
Stir until well combined.
Gradually add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until JUST combined.
DO NOT OVER MIX- over-mixing will ruin the texture
Before the two are completely incorporated add in melted butter or unsweetened applesauce.
Stir just until barely combined.
Pour batter into prepared loaf pan or 12-cup regular size muffin tin.
Bake at 350 for 40-45 minutes if making a loaf or 18-20 minutes if making muffins.
Servings: Makes 12 servings
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cup all purpose flour-I use Gold Medal flour
- 1 tsp aluminum free baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 egg
- 1/2 Tbsp vanilla extract
- 4 Tbsp zero point brown sugar substitute ( I use LAKANTO GOLDEN SWEETENER)
- 4 Tbsp zero point white sugar substitute ( I use LAKANTO CLASSIC OR BAKING SWEETENER)
- 2 Tbsp Land o’ Lakes made with canola oil light butter, melted or 3 Tbsp of unsweetened applesauce
- 2-4 Tbsp freshly squeezed orange juice, about 2-3 oranges
- Zest from two oranges
- 1 1/2 cup fresh or frozen cranberries*see notes
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9.5-inch bread pan or 12-cup muffin tin with non stick cooking spray. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl combine flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Set aside.
- In a separate medium size mixing bowl combine egg, water, sugar sweeteners, orange juice, vanilla extract, and orange zest. Stir until well combined.
- Gradually add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until JUST combined. DO NOT OVER MIX. (over-mixing will ruin the texture)
- Before the two are completely incorporated add in melted butter or unsweetened applesauce. Stir just until barely combined.
- Gently fold in the cranberries. Pour batter into prepared pan.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes or 18- 20 minutes if you’re making muffins or until an inserted knife or toothpick comes out clean.
Servings: Makes 12 slices or muffins
GREEN/BLUE/PURPLE: 2 Smartpoints for 1 muffins or slice
Notes:
- You can substitute the 2-4 Tbsp fresh organge juce for 1/4 cup of fresh bottled no sugar added orange juice.
- If using frozen cranberries (do not thaw) toss them with 1 Tbsp of flour to coat-this will help ensure they don’t fall to the bottom or/and discolor the batter.
Skinny Cranberry Orange Loaf or Muffins

This Skinny Cranberry Orange Loaf or Muffins are packed with cranberries and flavored with fresh orange juice! An easy muffin or loaf recipe that’s sure to be a favorite!
Author: thepounddropper.com
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cup all purpose flour-I use Gold Medal flour
- 1 tsp aluminum free baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 egg
- 1/2 Tbsp vanilla extract
- 4 Tbsp zero point brown sugar substitute- I use LAKANTO monk fruit golden sweetener
- 4 Tbsp zero point white sugar substitute -I use LAKANTO monk fruit classic or baking sweetener
- 2 Tbsp Land o’ Lakes made with canola oil light butter, melted or 3 Tbsp of unsweetened applesauce
- 2-4 Tbsp freshly squeezed orange juice, about 2-3 oranges * see notes
- Zest from two oranges
- 1 1/2 cup fresh or frozen cranberries* see notes
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9.5-inch bread pan or 12-cup muffin tin with non stick cooking spray. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl combine flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Set aside.
- In a separate medium size mixing bowl combine egg, water, sugar sweeteners, orange juice, vanilla extract, and orange zest. Stir until well combined.
- Gradually add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until JUST combined.
- DO NOT OVER MIX. (over-mixing will ruin the texture)
- Before the two are completely incorporated add in melted butter or unsweetened applesauce. Stir just until barely combined.
- Gently fold in the cranberries. Pour batter into prepared pan.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes or 18- 20 minutes if you're making muffins or until an inserted knife or toothpick comes out clean.
Servings: Makes 12 slices or muffins
GREEN/BLUE/PURPLE: 2 Smartpoints for 1 muffin or slice
Notes
- You can substitute the 2-4 Tbsp fresh organge juce for 1/4 cup of fresh bottled no sugar added orange juice.
- If using frozen cranberries (do not thaw) toss them with 1 Tbsp of flour to coat-this will help ensure they don’t fall to the bottom or/and discolor the batter.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12Amount Per Serving: Calories: 97Total Fat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 18mgSodium: 213mgCarbohydrates: 23gNet Carbohydrates: 22gFiber: 1gSugar: 3gProtein: 2g
Could you use Kodiak mix to make this?
Hi,
Yes, Kodiak pancake mix would work as a delicious substitute for the all purpose flour! You will use the same amount.
Thanks so much
Hello and Thank You for this Delicious recipe
If I do not want to use a sugar sub what amts of sugar should be used in place of the substitute
Thank You
Hi.
You will use the same amount of regular sugar. The monkfruit I use has a 1:1 ratio to real sugar.
If you were to use a different sugar sweetener other than Lakanto than you would use the conversion for regular sugar!
Hope that helps! The points would only increase by 1 point per serving if you used regular sugar.
Have a wonderful day
If you use fresh cranberries, do you have to cook them first? Thanks for another great recipe!
Hi,
No, they don’t need to be pre-cooked!
Thanks so much
Hi Dava.
No, you won’t need to cook them first. They will cook along with the bread.
Have a wonderful day! Enjoy!
I have been looking for something like this. Thank you. Going to try it.
I’m subscribed to your newsletter and I love many of your recipes but until now, I have never taken the time to thank you. So, Thank You. I have been a member of WW for 3+ years (the 3rd time around) and I love the program. With that said, I’m considering quitting again. With the changes they have made and removing my coach, I’m just struggling with sticking with it. It’s very difficult to find a new coach through zoom so I went to online only. I’m hoping all I have learned will help me continue with my weight loss journey. And, I know that the beautiful recipes you share will be a big help. Thanks again, I so appreciate what you do here on the pound dropper.
Are these mini muffins? I can never get 12 slices out of my loaf pan or 12 muffins. The slices will be real thin. Do you slice it down the middle first and then slice 6 on each side? Can I substitute mandarin oranges or Doterra wild orange essential oil? You can use the essential oils in cooking. A couple of drops go a long way with flavor. I’m a big fan of your recipes. Thank you for doing such a great job helping us on our weight loss journey.
Michele
This cranberry muffin recipe is so delicious! Thank you so much!! Are you on Connect? I’d like to follow you. I had a muffin with coffee this morning. Have a great day!
I would like to add some small cut ou oranges to the recipe. Do you think it would work and if so how much and would you just add then or should they be coated in flour?
Thanks in advance. I’m on WW and spread your name to all who ask for a good WW friendly recipe site. You’re terrific.
Thanks Elaine, I’m so happy you have enjoyed them. I truly appreciate the wonderful support.
Yes, I’ve not tried adding chunks of oranges-but I think that sounds delish. You won’t need to coat them since that won’t discolor the batter-you could add 1/4 cup…
Enjoy the deliciousness!!
Linds
Thanks so much for your qick response. I’m going ro shop for cranberries the next time I go out.
I just made a half batch (6 muffins) – it was easy to divide and I used 1 TBSP of egg white for the 1/2 egg. I noticed that you don’t have the salt listed in the instructions. I added to the dry mixture of flour, baking soda, and baking powder. I’m sure it doesn’t make a lot of difference if added to dry or wet. Can’t wait to try these.
You listed salt as an ingredient but didn’t include in your instructions. I didn’t realize that I didn’t include salt in the recipe until I had the muffins in the oven. Hoping they turn out ok. So……is there supposed to be salt in the recipe or not?
It says 1/2 tsp salt in the ingredients.
Can you use dried cranberries instead of fresh or frozen ones?
Hi Angela
I have never made this using dried cranberries-you are more than welcome to give it a try. Keep in mind they are higher in points..so the point value would vary!
Thanks so much!
When I key the nutrition data into the WW calculator I get 3 points. I’ll check again but perhaps you could also. I made them and ate one,,,and they are worth 3 points to me! Thank you for this recipe!
HI Sharon
Yes, if you were to use the nutritional information the point value may not be accurate. To calculate the smart points on a recipe you have to enter the ingredients in manually (by creating a recipe in the recipe builder) not by the nutritional information. Since this recipe contains zero point items the WW app doesn’t realize there are zero point items in the recipe and will calculate it based only off the nutritional information which will not be accurate.
The point value breakdown:
1 1/2 cup Gold Medal flour- 17 points
egg-0 points or 2 points for green plan
vanilla extract- 1 point
orange zest-0 points
fresh orange juice- 1 point
Land o Lakes light butter- 4 points
Sweetener- 0 points
Make 12 servings-2 points each
Hope that helps
Thank you for this detailed information. Now I’ll know to do the recipe builder in the future. For now, I’m off to make another batch!
I wanted to make this today and do not have any oranges, but I do have orange juice. How much orange juice do you think I would need to put in?
Thank you!!
It’s about 1/4-1/3 cups of orange juice.
Thanks so much
Thank you!! You’re recipes are fantastic!!
Can I substitute self rising flour for regular flour? If yes, how much?
Hi Karen
Yes, you could. You would use the same amount but be sure to omit the baking powder, soda, and salt if you do make that substitution.
The self rising flour contains them already!
Thank you!
Hi i made these muffins yesterday and they are fabulous. I made them into muffins so we would have only one. doing WW and trying to be good.
I recommend the recipes highly
thanks for all your great recipes.
Carol
Loved the Cranberry Orange muffins. Just delicious! Its not too sweet and the cranberries give it a burst of tartness! So yummy for breakfast ! Thanks!
Thank you for sharing.
Can gluten free flour be used in this recipe and how many points different would it be?
Hi Cori
yes, you can use gluten-free flour. The point value may vary depending on the brand of flour you use. I recommend using the ww app recipe builder to determine the point value for the brand you use.
Thanks so much!