To Die For Blueberry Muffins Recipe

Photo: Uncut Recipes

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They say that a little sweetness goes a long way, and that couldn't be truer than with our delectable Blueberry Muffins.

Blueberry Muffins are the cheerleaders of the breakfast world, brightening up your plate and your day with their sunny disposition. Imagine the soft crumb of a perfectly baked muffin, the burst of blueberry sweetness as you bite in, and the light crunch of a cinnamon crumb topping. It's a breakfast trifecta that ticks all the boxes for flavor, texture, and sheer delight.

You don't have to save these gems just for the breakfast table, though. They're also the perfect pick-me-up for that mid-afternoon slump or an after-dinner treat. And while we're not going down the memory lane, we do believe that food is all about making fresh memories. These muffins, with their simple ingredients and straightforward process, are an invitation to create new happy moments around food.

JUMP TO:

INGREDIENTS:

Blueberries: The star of these muffins, blueberries should be fresh, plump, and firm. Look for deep, evenly-colored berries free of mold or bruising. If fresh blueberries are out of season or unavailable, frozen blueberries can be a great alternative; however, they should be added while still frozen to prevent the color from bleeding into the muffin batter.

Alternatives: If you want to make these muffins dairy-free, you could substitute the milk with a non-dairy milk of your choice, like almond milk or oat milk. Furthermore, if you want a healthier version, you can swap out the white sugar with a natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup, but keep in mind this will alter the flavor somewhat.

MAIN STEPS:

Mixing Dry and Wet Ingredients: When combining the dry and wet ingredients, it's crucial to avoid overmixing. Overworking the batter can activate the gluten in the flour, leading to tougher, less tender muffins. Mix just until you can't see any dry flour; the batter should still be slightly lumpy.

Folding in Blueberries: The process of folding is crucial here. Overmixing could cause the blueberries to burst and turn your batter a strange color. If you're using frozen berries, add them to the batter while still frozen to avoid discoloration.

Making the Crumb Topping: When creating your crumb topping, strive for a coarse, sandy texture rather than a smooth paste. The butter should be cold to maintain this texture and to prevent the crumb topping from melting into the batter before the muffins have a chance to bake.

SERVED WITH:

Starter: Cheese Platter (France): An assortment of cheeses, ranging from brie to camembert, served with grapes and crackers. The creaminess and rich flavor of cheese nicely offset the sweet tartness of blueberry muffins.

Side Dish: Greek Yogurt Parfait (Greece): Layered Greek yogurt, granola, and fresh fruit make for a refreshing and light side that pairs well with the blueberry muffins.

Main Course: Buttermilk Pancakes (USA): Thick, fluffy pancakes served with maple syrup and a side of bacon or sausage. The savory meat and sweet syrup balance the fruity sweetness of the muffins.

Second Course: Smoked Salmon Bagel (USA): A traditional New York dish consisting of a bagel with cream cheese, smoked salmon, capers, and red onion. Its salty and savory flavors contrast the muffins' sweetness.

Dessert: Vanilla Ice Cream (Italy): This classic dessert, known as 'Gelato' in Italy, has a mild flavor that works well with the richness of blueberry muffins.

Cake: Lemon Drizzle Cake (United Kingdom): This light and tangy cake, flavored with fresh lemon zest and a sugary drizzle, complements the sweet, fruity flavor of blueberry muffins.

Drink: Earl Grey Tea (United Kingdom): The distinct citrusy notes in this classic British tea complement the fruity taste of blueberry muffins, making it a perfect beverage to serve alongside.

ALTERNATIVES:

Bread: Blueberry Banana Bread (USA): A moist, sweet bread that combines the flavors of bananas and blueberries. It makes use of similar ingredients to muffins but introduces banana for an extra depth of flavor.

Dessert: Blueberry Clafoutis (France): A traditional French dessert made with fresh blueberries coated in a flan-like batter. It's simple, rustic, and showcases the natural sweetness of the fruit.

Cake: Blueberry Lemon Loaf Cake (UK): This cake combines the tartness of lemons with the sweetness of blueberries for a wonderfully balanced flavor profile. It's a popular teatime treat in the UK.

Pancakes: Blueberry Pancakes (USA): This classic American breakfast dish is fluffy and light with juicy blueberries in every bite.

Pastry: Blueberry and Apple Danish (Denmark): A sweet pastry filled with blueberry compote and cream cheese. It takes the concept of blueberry and pastry from the muffin recipe and elevates it.

Dessert: Blueberry Buckle (USA): An old-fashioned, deliciously moist cake interspersed with fresh blueberries and a crunchy cinnamon sugar topping. This is a traditional American dessert that's often served warm with a dollop of whipped cream.

Drink: Blueberry Smoothie (Global): A nutritious, fruity beverage made with blueberries, yogurt, and a dash of honey or sugar for sweetness. A refreshing alternative that uses the blueberries in a different form.

HISTORY:

The story of the Blueberry Muffin begins with the incorporation of wild blueberries into food by Native Americans. It wasn't until the early 20th century, when blueberries were successfully cultivated, that these tiny, sweet, and tart fruits made their way into baked goods. The classic Blueberry Muffin, however, doesn't owe its existence to one single baker, but rather to the collective creativity of homemakers and bakers experimenting with this newfound fruit.

The burst of tangy sweetness nestled in a tender, moist crumb elevates the simple muffin into something of a culinary treasure, establishing a timeless love affair between the humble muffin and the vibrant blueberry.

Blueberry Muffins enjoy a particularly special status in the United States. In 1988, Minnesota designated the Blueberry Muffin as the state's official muffin, forever stamping its significance on the American culinary scene. Blueberry Muffins have become a breakfast staple and coffee companion, warmly welcomed on dining tables and office desks alike.

Today, the Blueberry Muffin remains a sought-after treat in bakeries around the world.

TIPS:

Vanilla bean: Instead of vanilla extract, scrape the seeds of a fresh vanilla bean into your wet ingredients for a more sophisticated flavor.

Crumb Topping: Instead of using a fork to combine the ingredients for the crumb topping, use your fingers to rub the butter into the dry ingredients. This creates a better texture for the crumb.

Citrus zest: Adding the zest of a lemon or orange to your batter can really lift the flavor and balance the sweetness of the muffins.

Milk substitution: Substitute buttermilk or yogurt for regular milk. The acidity of these products reacts with the baking powder to create a lighter, more tender crumb.

High-heat method: Start baking the muffins at a higher temperature for the first 5 minutes and then reduce the heat. This helps create a high dome characteristic of bakery-style muffins.

Ingredients:

Conversions and Servings: Cups (6 Muffins) Cups (12 Muffins) Cups (18 Muffins) Cups (24 Muffins) Cups (30 Muffins) Cups (36 Muffins) Cups (48 Muffins) Imperial (6 Muffins) Imperial (12 Muffins) Imperial (18 Muffins) Imperial (24 Muffins) Imperial (30 Muffins) Imperial (36 Muffins) Imperial (48 Muffins) Metric (6 Muffins) Metric (12 Muffins) Metric (18 Muffins) Metric (24 Muffins) Metric (30 Muffins) Metric (36 Muffins) Metric (48 Muffins)

Directions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 200C / 400F.

02 - Prepare your muffin tray by either greasing the muffin cups or lining them with paper liners. This step helps prevent the muffins from sticking to the tray, making them easier to remove once baked.


For the Muffin Batter:

03 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together your Flour, Sugar, Baking Powder, and Salt.

Photo: Uncut Recipes

04 - In a separate, smaller liquid measuring cup, pour in the Oil. To this, add Egg, and pour in enough Milk to reach the 1-cup mark on your measuring cup (every 6 Muffins). Stir this mixture until it's fully combined.

Photo: Uncut Recipes

Photo: Uncut Recipes

05 - Now, pour your liquid ingredients (from the measuring cup) into the large bowl containing the dry ingredients. Stir the two together only until the Batter is combined. Overmixing at this stage can make your Muffins tough, so be gentle!

Photo: Uncut Recipes

Photo: Uncut Recipes

06 - The final addition to your Muffin batter is the Blueberries. Gently fold these into your Batter, then set the bowl aside.

Photo: Uncut Recipes

Photo: Uncut Recipes

For the Crumb Topping:

07 - In a smaller bowl, combine Sugar, Flour, Butter, and Cinnamon. Mix these together with a fork until the mixture becomes crumbly. This sweet, textured topping will give your muffins an added crunch.


08 - With your Batter now ready, it's time to fill your prepared muffin cups. Using a spoon, distribute the Batter evenly among all the cups, filling them right to the top for a generous muffin size.

09 - Before baking, sprinkle your crumb topping over each filled muffin cup. This will bake into a lovely, crunchy crust on top of each Muffin.

Photo: Uncut Recipes

10 - Finally, bake your Blueberry Muffins in your preheated oven for about 20 to 25 minutes. You'll know they're done when a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. Once baked, let them cool a bit before enjoying. Bon appétit!

Photo: Uncut Recipes

Notes:

Blueberry Preparation: Before adding the blueberries to your batter, ensure they're rinsed, dried, and any stems or leaves are removed.

Preparing the Crumb Topping: When preparing the crumb topping in Step 7, ensure the butter is cold. Mixing cold butter with the sugar, flour, and cinnamon helps create a crumbly texture that will become wonderfully crunchy as it bakes.

Storage: Once cooled, these muffins can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or frozen for up to 2 months.

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Written by: Uncut Recipes

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