Cranberry-Pecan Wild Rice Pilaf (The Perfect Holiday Side!)

Bring color and big flavor to your holiday spread with this Cranberry-Pecan Wild Rice Pilaf—an irresistible blend of nutty wild rice, sweet cranberries, and buttery shallots.

Cranberry-Pecan Wild Rice Pilaf (The Perfect Holiday Side!)

The holidays already come with enough to juggle, so I wanted to create a Christmas side dish that brings big festive flavor without adding stress to your cooking day. This Cranberry-Pecan Wild Rice Pilaf is exactly that kind of recipe—beautiful, comforting, and wonderfully unfussy. It’s a dish that looks special on the table but doesn’t require hours of prep or complicated steps.

Nutty wild rice is paired with sweet pops of dried cranberries, fragrant fresh thyme, and buttery toasted pecans, creating a dish that’s as flavorful as it is colorful. Every bite is a little celebration of textures and holiday flavors, making it the perfect complement to any festive main dish.

Whether you’re hosting a full holiday feast or just want to add a special touch to your dinner table, this pilaf is easy to make ahead, full of vibrant flavor, and guaranteed to please the crowd. It’s the kind of recipe that lets you enjoy the season without standing over the stove for hours.

Enjoy!

What Ingredients Do I Need?

• Wild Rice Blend – A mix of wild rice and hearty whole grains that adds nutty flavor and great texture.

• Chicken Broth – Infuses the rice with savory depth; using broth instead of water makes every bite more flavorful.

• Shallots – Mild, slightly sweet onions that bring a soft aromatic base to the pilaf.

• Unsalted Butter – Adds richness and helps the shallots caramelize beautifully.

• Canola Oil – Keeps the butter from burning and helps toast the wild rice.

• Fresh Thyme – Provides earthy, fragrant holiday warmth in every spoonful.

• Bay Leaf – Subtly enhances the background flavor as the pilaf simmers.

• Dried Cranberries – Add pops of sweetness and a festive burst of color.

• Pecans – Bring buttery crunch and cozy holiday flavor when toasted.

• Salt & Pepper – Simple, essential seasonings that balance and brighten the dish.

Substitutions & Variations

Substitutions

• Wild Rice Blend → Brown Rice or Long-Grain Rice: Use if you prefer a softer texture or a quicker cook time.

• Chicken Broth → Vegetable Broth: Makes the dish fully vegetarian while keeping the flavor rich.

• Pecans → Walnuts or Sliced Almonds: Any nut with a good toasting quality works well.

• Shallots → Yellow or Sweet Onion: A simple, accessible swap that still brings great flavor.

• Fresh Thyme → Dried Thyme: Use a smaller amount—dried herbs are more concentrated.

Easy Variations

• Holiday Herb Version: Add fresh rosemary and parsley for an extra layer of festive, aromatic flavor.

• Citrus Twist: Stir in a little orange zest at the end for a bright, seasonal pop that pairs beautifully with cranberries.

Kitchen Notes & Tips

• Toast the pecans for the best flavor—this takes just a few minutes but makes a big difference.

• Let the rice rest after cooking; it helps the cranberries plump and the grains finish steaming.

• Use high-quality broth since it determines much of the pilaf’s flavor.

• Don’t skip sautéing the shallots—this builds the aromatic base that makes the dish taste slow-cooked.

• Make ahead friendly: Cook the pilaf earlier in the day and gently rewarm with a splash of broth.

• Fluff, don’t stir, to keep the grains from getting mushy.

• Taste and adjust seasoning at the end—wild rice can handle a good pinch of salt.

HUNGRY FOR MORE? Subscribe to emails at the top of this page and follow along on Facebook,  and Pinterest for all of the latest updates.

    RECIPE IS DOWN BELOW👇     

The Best Maple Streusel Muffins for Cozy Mornings

 

Whip up these small-batch maple streusel muffins for a cozy morning treat. Soft, tender, and topped with a buttery cinnamon pecan crumble, they’re the perfect quick bake for cold weather comfort.

The Best Maple Streusel Muffins for Cozy Mornings

Chilly mornings call for something a little extra cozy—something warm, fragrant, and fresh from the oven but without making a dozen muffins. That’s exactly where these Maple Streusel Muffins shine. They’re a small-batch recipe with big flavor: moist, tender muffins enriched with sour cream, sweetened with brown sugar, and scented with maple.

But the real magic? The cinnamon-pecan streusel tucked both on top and inside, giving each bite a delicious mix of softness and buttery crunch. Whether you’re easing into a slow weekend, filling the kitchen with fall aromas, or just treating yourself to a quiet moment, these muffins give you the comfort that makes your morning feel a little extra special and cozy.

Enjoy!

What Ingredients Do I Need?

• Egg – Gives structure and helps the muffins rise while staying tender.

• Milk – Adds moisture and keeps the batter smooth.

• Sour Cream – The secret to a soft, bakery-style crumb.

• Oil – Provides richness and keeps the muffins moist without heaviness.

• All-Purpose Flour – The base that creates a sturdy, tender muffin.

• Brown Sugar – Adds sweetness and a warm, caramel-like depth.

• Baking Powder & Baking Soda – Work together to lift the muffins and create a fluffy texture.

• Salt – Enhances the maple and cinnamon flavors.

• Maple Extract – Delivers cozy maple flavor without adding extra liquid.

• Brown Sugar (Streusel) – Sweetens the crumble topping and caramelizes slightly in the oven.

• Flour (Streusel) – Helps the topping form those classic buttery crumbs.

• Cinnamon – Adds warmth and ties together the maple and pecan notes.

• Butter – Creates a rich, crunchy streusel texture.

• Pecans – Add a nutty crunch that complements the maple beautifully.

Substitutions and Variations

Ingredient Substitutions

• Milk → Buttermilk – Adds extra tang and tenderness.

• Sour Cream → Greek Yogurt – Works just as well for moisture and structure.

• Canola Oil → Melted Butter – Adds flavor but makes the muffins slightly denser.

• Maple Extract → Vanilla Extract – A mild swap if you don’t have maple on hand.

• Pecans → Walnuts or Omit – Any nut works, or go nut-free.

• Brown Sugar → Coconut Sugar – For a less refined option with similar flavor.

Variations

• Maple Glazed Muffins – Drizzle warm muffins with a simple maple icing for extra sweetness.

• Apple Maple Muffins – Fold in a small handful of diced apples for a cozy fruit twist.

Kitchen Notes & Tips

• Don’t overmix the batter – A few lumps are fine; it keeps the muffins tender.

• Use cold butter for the streusel – It creates better, chunkier crumbs.

• Layer the streusel – Adding some in the center gives each bite more flavor.

• Bake at a higher temperature (400°F) – Helps the muffins rise tall with rounded tops.

• Let them cool slightly – They’re best warm but not piping hot, so the crumb sets.

• Check early – Ovens vary, so start checking around 15–16 minutes.

• Great for small households – This recipe makes exactly six muffins—no leftovers unless you want them.

HUNGRY FOR MORE? Subscribe to emails at the top of this page and follow along on Facebook,  and Pinterest for all of the latest updates.

    RECIPE IS DOWN BELOW👇     

Fall Flavors: Pumpkin Banana Pecan Muffins

Your new perfect fall breakfast treat is a riff off of my love of banana bread and pumpkin muffins.  Throw in a little pecans for crunch and you have a superstar muffin worthy of a chilly morning!  

Pumpkin Banana Pecan Muffins

"Fall baking" is here.  I didn't know what to make this morning.  Either banana bread using up the old bananas on the counter or delve in to some fall flavors with pumpkin muffins.  With the bananas staring at me I decided to combine both flavors and make a small batch of fall flavored muffins.  The combination is just sinful and with the addition of pecans this became a earthy fall treat!

You only need 1 bowl to make these easy to make muffins.  Use ripe, ripe brown spotted bananas and canned pumpkin (the real stuff, not pumpkin pie filling which has spices and sugar in it) and you'll whip up these simple muffins in no time.  Great tips for muffin baking are located below.  You'll love that these muffins turn out moist and tender and your whole house will smell like fall.  Watch everyone come running to see what deliciousness is coming out of the oven.

Enjoy!

What Ingredients do I need?

• fresh pecans
• a ripe banana - you wants some brown spots on the banana peel
• eggs
• canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling!)
• canola oil
• all purpose flour
• sugar or sugar alternative if using (for Keto, low carb)
• baking powder
• pumpkin pie spice
• salt
• Optional- sanding sugar

Substitutions and Variations

• Use a combination of white whole wheat flour along with all purpose flour for a more earthy flavor.  (1 cup all purpose and 1/2 cup of white whole wheat flour)

• Make mini muffins or small loaves instead - adjust the cooking time accordingly.  (10-12 min for mini muffins; 30-40 for small loaves depending upon the size)

• Doing a Keto diet or want lower carb? Use an alternative sugar of you choice as a substitute. I like King Arthur's sugar alternative.

• Any addition of dried fruit (raisins, currants, golden raisins, cherries or cranberries) or add-ins (chocolate chips, shredded coconut, walnuts, granola, cinnamon chips) will work.

Kitchen Tips and Notes

• 1st rule of thumb when making muffins is "do not overmix" the batter. You want it batter to just come together. Little spots of flour is okay.

• To get high muffin tops turn your oven up to 400 degrees.

• Make sure you are using fresh baking powder. To test put 1/2 teaspoon into 1/4 cup of boiling water. If it bubbles, you are good.

• Double the recipe for 12 muffins.

• Muffins can be frozen individually and kept for 3 months.

• Fill the muffin tin almost to the top for nice big domed muffins.

HUNGRY FOR MORE? Subscribe to emails at the top of this page and follow along on Facebook,  and Pinterest for all of the latest updates.

Pumpkin Banana Pecan Muffins

make 6-8 muffins


1 large ripe banana, mashed
1/2 cup pumpkin (canned pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling)
1 large egg
1/4 c canola oil
1 1/2 c flour
1/2 c sugar or sugar substitute
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/3 c pecans, chopped

Optional - sanding sugar

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray a muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.

In a large bowl mash the banana. Add the egg, pumpkin, and oil. Mix together using a spatula to completely incorporate.

Add the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and pumpkin pie spice. Stir just until combined. Do not over mix. Fold in the pecans, leaving a few back to place on the tops of the muffins.

Using a scoop, add batter to the individual muffin tins. Add the sanding sugar on the tops of each muffin, if using.   Bake 18-20 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool 5-10 minutes in the tin. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Brown Sugar Cinnamon Pecan Muffins

Winter muffins with the warm comforting flavors of brown sugar, cinnamon, and pecans.  What could be better than that?

Brown Sugar Cinnamon Pecan Muffins

When the temperature goes down I find that my oven use goes way up.  Lazy Sundays call for brunch and along with the savory dishes I have to have something on the sweet side.  So muffins are my go to breakfast bread.  They come together quickly and you can literally make a different flavor each time.  Plus we get some additional ones to eat on the go during the week.  

I love the combination of cinnamon and brown sugar.  It screams comfort food and with the addition of some chopped pecans we get that nutty crunch in there as well.  The perfect winter muffin!  This makes a small batch of 6 which you can easily double for 12 muffins if you prefer.

Enjoy!

What Ingredients do I need?

• fresh pecans
• cinnamon
• eggs
• low-fat milk
• canola oil
• all purpose flour
• light brown sugar or brown sugar alternative if using (for Keto, low carb)
• baking powder
• salt

Substitutions and Variations

• Use white whole wheat flour in place of the all purpose flour

• Make mini muffins or small loaves instead

• Doing a Keto diet or want lower carb? Use an alternative sugar of you choice as a substitute. I like King Arthur's sugar alternative.

• Any addition of dried fruit (raisins, currants, golden raisins, cherries or cranberries) or add-ins (chocolate chips, shredded coconut, walnuts, granola, cinnamon chips) will work.

Kitchen Tips and Notes

• 1st rule of thumb when making muffins is "do not overmix" the batter.  You want it batter to just come together.  Little spots of flour is okay.

• To get high muffin tops turn your oven up to 400 degrees.

• Make sure you are using fresh baking powder.  To test put 1/2 teaspoon into 1/4 cup of boiling water.  If it bubbles, you are good.

• Double the recipe for 12 muffins.

• Muffins can be frozen individually and kept for 3 months.

• Fill the muffin tin almost to the top for nice big domed muffins.

·        More Muffin Recipes

·        Strawberry Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins - Lower Carb Version

·        Pumpkin and Eggnog Swirl Muffins

·        Apple Cider Doughnut Muffins

·        Vanilla Chai Muffins

·        Cranberry Orange Muffins - Small Batch

·        Mexican Hot Chocolate Muffins

·        Simple Blueberry Muffins

HUNGRY FOR MORE? Subscribe to emails at the top of this page and follow along on Facebook,  and Pinterest for all of the latest updates.

Brown Sugar Cinnamon Pecan Muffins

Makes 6

1 egg
1/2 cup 2% milk
1/4 cup canola oil
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup brown sugar or brown sugar substitute
2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 - 1/3 cup chopped pecans 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray a 6 well muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray and set aside. 

In a large bowl add the egg, milk, and oil. Mix together using a whisk.

Add the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.  Stir just until combined.  Do not over mix.  Fold in chopped pecans.

Using a cookie scoop, add batter to a muffin tin to make 6 muffins.  Bake 18-20 minutes until golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow to cool 5-10 minutes in the tin. Remove from the pan and serve.