Preheat oven to 375F degrees. Gather your ingredients so that you have everything close at hand on the counter or table.
Prepare Ingredients
Using a fine-edged grater, zest one orange. If desired, squeeze the juice from 2-3 oranges, enough to make 3/4 cups.
Chop the black walnuts with a knife and cutting board or a nut chopper.
Using a food processor, coarsely chop the cranberries.
Make the Muffin Batter
In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, ground nutmeg, cinnamon, ground ginger, baking soda, salt, and orange zest.
Cut in shortening until crumbly.
Stir in orange juice, large beaten eggs and vanilla extract until moistened.
Fold in chopped cranberries and nuts.
Fill paper-lined muffin cups 2/3 full. Bake in preheated oven for 18-20 minutes until golden. Makes 18 muffins.