These muffins are light, high, and handsome, as well as nicely spicy and aromatic. They make an appealing addition to almost any meal during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday seasons and beyond. In contrast to nineteenth century quick breads, which usually lacked fruit and contained very little sugar, these modern ones are just slightly sweet and generously studded with bright, zingy bits of fresh cranberries. For added zip, I add some chopped crystallized ginger, but the muffins are good without it too.