Simple Blueberry Muffins Recipe (2024)

By Nancy Harmon Jenkins

Simple Blueberry Muffins Recipe (1)

Total Time
About 45 minutes
Rating
4(3,088)
Notes
Read community notes

This recipe first appeared in The Times in a 1986 article by Nancy Harmon Jenkins that extolled the virtues, and the many delicious applications, of summer berries.

There's nothing fancy about this muffin – it's mostly flour, eggs, butter and blueberries. But that's the beauty of it. It's the perfect sort of baking project to tackle on a lazy weekend morning.

This recipe calls for blueberries, but feel free to substitute almost any ripe and sweet berry.

Featured in: THE BERRIES: FROM FOOL TO FLUMMERY

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Ingredients

Yield:1 dozen muffins

  • 2cups sifted all-purpose flour
  • 1teaspoon salt
  • 4teaspoons baking powder
  • ¼cup sugar
  • 2eggs, well beaten
  • ¾cup milk
  • cup melted butter
  • 1cup blueberries
  • 3tablespoons flour

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Nutritional analysis per serving (12 servings)

172 calories; 7 grams fat; 4 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 2 grams monounsaturated fat; 0 grams polyunsaturated fat; 24 grams carbohydrates; 1 gram dietary fiber; 6 grams sugars; 4 grams protein; 162 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Simple Blueberry Muffins Recipe (2)

Preparation

  1. Step

    1

    Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Grease 12 muffin cups with a little butter.

  2. Sift together flour, salt, baking powder and sugar.

  3. Step

    3

    Combine eggs, milk and melted butter. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Do not try to beat until smooth because the muffins will be tough and grainy.

  4. Step

    4

    Sprinkle 3 tablespoons of flour over blueberries, and turn to coat well. Stir into batter, mixing just enough to combine.

  5. Step

    5

    Fill muffin cups about two-thirds full.

  6. Step

    6

    Bake 20 to 25 minutes, or until muffins are brown and pull away from the sides of the tin.

Ratings

4

out of 5

3,088

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Private Notes

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Cooking Notes

Blue Jay 58

Good, but not quite enough sweetness in these muffins to outweigh the salt for us. Would definitely try again but decrease the salt and increase the sugar (and we are not fans of overly-sugary foods).

Matt

Nice and simple, came out soft and not greasy. I used 1/3 cup of sugar as others said the 1/4th wasn't enough. the 1/3 cup did the trick for me! Will be making this again and trying out different variations

Babettey

I did a quick comparison of the blueberry muffin recipes and chose this one: partially for simplicity and ease (cooking with a 3 year-old) and partially for the least amount of sugar (other recipes may have three times as much!--see recent NYT piece on That Sugar Film). The balance is just fine for us, with the butter and blueberry flavors dominating. I did sprinkle just a little sugar on the tops before baking, to give the muffins a nice glazed crust. The three-year-old, and others, approve.

Mary Porter

Two discerning teenaged boys finished the lot within the hour.
Made the following modifications:
unsalted butter, and 1/4 tsp kosher salt; substituted 1/2 cup of flour with wholewheat. Increased milk and butter by about one 25% Doubled the sugar and put a bit on top (thanks to other note). Sifted all the excess flour off the blueberries (only use one tbsp flour in the first place). Lovely light and moist with a brown crunchy top, but can still taste baking powder...........

Evelyn

I added a tsp of lemon zest which adds a nice perk.

MrsT

These are much less sweet than typical blueberry muffins, but we like them. I sprinkle 1/4 tsp turbinado sugar on each one before baking, which adds a sweet crunch, and I increased the amount of blueberries to maybe 1 1/4 cup. Also, 20 minutes at 450 degrees is too long--15 minutes is perfect.

With my changes, and using cooking spray instead of butter for the muffin tin (and 1% milk), each muffin came to 158 calories.

Rebecca

This is almost identical to the Berry Muffin recipe in my old(1941) Boston Cooking School Cook Book - aka Fanny Farmer. These are real muffins not the sweet cake like things that pass as muffins today. For speed in the morning do all this ahead: measure and sift dry ingredients, dredge berries (Maine wild blueberries if you can get them), all other ingredients measured and on the counter. Yes, it is safe to leave milk and uncracked eggs out overnight.

Linda

1/3 C sugar1 1/4 C blueberriesCook 15 minutes

K

These are more like a biscuit texture than a muffin, but still pretty good. Added lemon zest and a quarter cup of brown sugar; still not overly sweet.

Michele Caplan

I'm with the Blue Jay on the salt. I didn't have any vanilla, so I substituted the rind of one lemon and 2.5 to 3 pieces of candied ginger. I also doubled the blueberries and put them into the dry mixture before I added the wet. This keeps the berries from dropping to the bottom. The secret to great muffins is to not over mix. Not all the flour is going to be incorporated. Be brave. Mix less than you think.

Caitlin

I ventured from my usual recipe and gave this one a shot. I'd probably give it 3 stars. If I were to make it again I'd do the following:- Oven at 375, unless you want really brown muffins.- 1 1/2 -2 cups blueberries.- Add a pinch of cinnamon or lemon zest. They were a little lackluster on flavor for my family.

Jessica D.

I subbed whole wheat flour for about half of the white flour. Added cinnamon. These definitely were not super sweet, the fruit provides most of the sweetness that you'd be wishing for in a muffin. Topped the muffins with some brown sugar before baking for a nice crunch. Next time may add some lemon zest and cardamom.

Ephraim

Followed recipe as written except for using 2% milk (because that's what I had). I wouldn’t change a thing. They’re sweet enough, with a texture like a light biscuit or scone. They're *not* sugary, gummy, or sticky like store-bought muffins.

Megan

I made these and next time I'll cut the salt in half and add an additional tablespoon of sugar. Otherwise they baked up nicely.

Mike

This recipe can easily be modified to be vegan! I used acuafaba for eggs and almond milk for regular milk, they turned out great! With blueberries I added a touch of lemon zest! For slightly lighter muffin replace 1/4 cup of flour with rice flour!

alex

not sweet at all- more of a biscuit than a muffin. needs twice the sugar and butter, additionally lemon zest.

PK

This is my family's favorite blueberry muffin recipe, it's quick and easy. People complain about it not being sweet enough but the blueberries add extra sweetness. Can add cinnamon and nutmeg, sometimes I also add some chocolate chips to it. Perfect combination.

Nora

I used 1/3 c of sugar and wish I had done 1/2 c. Sprinkled with turbinado. Added vanilla and lemon zest. Maybe less baking powder. I felt like I could taste it.

riri

Worst blueberry muffin recipe I’ve ever tried. They were super salty and bitter my whole family turned their nose up at it. Waste of time and ingredients unfortunately.

Jennie

Too salty and too thick. Still quite edible (with that much butter!), but not light soft fluffy muffins.

Chris

I opted to bake at 375 for 25 mins and they are perfectly moist with light browning across the top. Swapped in buttermilk + increase sugar to 1/3 per comments, i imagine 1/2 cup would be fine! Don't be worried if your batter looks dry, it will be, but these moisten right up. Not sweet, as everyone writes, but they are delicious. The butter really brings out a fullness to the muffin that is typically lost to sugar in the blueberry muffin.

Lisa D.

I've made this recipe several times, because it's so low-key. I add about a 1/4 tsp. of cinnamon, 1/2 tsp. vanilla, 1/2 tsp. lemon rind or zest. I also top them with a sprinkling of vanilla sugar before baking to give them crunchy tops. The finished muffins also freeze very well!

Mike

These are not very good. They need more sugar. My whole family rejected them, including me.

Sarah G.

Pretty solid muffin. Definitely more of a breakfast muffin than a dessert muffin (even with 1/3 cup sugar instead of 1/4 cup). I was worried they would be dry but the crumb is pretty moist. Super easy to make so I'm sure I'll make them again eventually. Next time I'd add a bit of cinnamon or lemon zest to spice it up.

Ross T.

Followed the recipe exactly and enjoyed them. Yes, they aren’t your overly sweet bakery muffin, but that is why I enjoyed them. I loved the crisp edges, smeared with a bit of butter, they were a nice little snack. Only adjustment would be to add a bit more blueberries.

Deb

The texture was more like biscuits, which was fine. But otherwise I thought they were pretty bland. Maybe more blueberries, definitely more sugar, maybe lemon zest and/or vanilla would make them more interesting.

Deb

1/2 spelt flourMaybe more blueberriesMaybe vanilla, more sugar

Suzanne

-1 pint blueberries-1/2 cup sugar-1/2 tsp. fine salt (chunky salt doesn't disperse as well)-sprinkle 1 tbsp. salt on top of muffins before baking-oven 450FI make these every weekend for my family, and these adjustments really make a difference. Recipe is a little too salty and not sweet enough. More blueberries is always a plus. Hotter oven=crispier muffins. I also prefer to paint the muffin tin with melted butter rather than using paper liners, so that you get a crispy outer layer.

Barbara

I enjoy this type of simple muffins for Breakfast with a side of yogurt and more berries. It feels healthier as not too rich or sweet. A great canvas to add butter or jam if you choose to indulge!I added some coarse brown sugar on top before baking for added sweetness and crunch. It does the trick, while keeping the recipe low on sugar.

janet Macfarland

These muffins were overdone at 18 minutes. Recommend cooking at 375 for 20 minutes for a moister muffin.

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Simple Blueberry Muffins Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to making moist muffins? ›

How to Make Homemade Muffins Moist: Our Top Tips
  1. Tips to Make Homemade Muffins Moist.
  2. Keep Wet and Dry Ingredients Separately.
  3. Add All Flavorings Last.
  4. Consider Paper Liners.
  5. Don't Overfill the Muffin Cups.
  6. Check the Temperature of Your Oven.
  7. Test if Muffins Are Fully Cooked.
  8. Top Your Muffins with Flavor.
Aug 9, 2021

What is the secret to high muffins? ›

Chilling your muffin batter overnight in the fridge is the BEST thing you can do for amazing muffins. It makes them more moist, tender, and TALLER! It's very similar to chilling cookie dough, which if you know me you know I'm obsessed with chilling cookie dough.

How many steps are there in making blueberry muffins? ›

  1. STEP 1: PREHEAT OVEN & PREP TINS. ...
  2. STEP 2: COMBINE FLOUR, BAKING POWDER, SUGAR & SALT. ...
  3. STEP 3: ADD EGGS, MILK AND BUTTER OR OIL. ...
  4. STEP 4: COMBINE WET AND DRY MIXTURES. ...
  5. STEP 5: PREP & ADD BLUEBERRIES. ...
  6. STEP 6: SPOON BATTER. ...
  7. STEP 7: BAKE.

What are some mistakes to avoid when making muffins? ›

12 Muffin-Making Mistakes And How To Avoid Them
  1. Mistake: Over-Mixing The Batter. ...
  2. Mistake: Not Preheating The Oven. ...
  3. Mistake: Filling The Muffin Cups Too Much. ...
  4. Mistake: Leaving The Muffins In The Pan Too Long. ...
  5. Mistake: Not Preparing The Pan Properly. ...
  6. Mistake: Using Milk Instead Of Water In Store-Bought Mixes.
Jan 7, 2024

What does adding an extra egg do to muffins? ›

If there isn't enough egg, your batter or dough may not be able to hold its structure or could end up overly dry or dense. On the other hand, if there is too much egg, your baked goods could lose their shape due to excess liquid, or have a rubbery (or even overly cakey) texture depending on the recipe.

Is oil or butter better for muffins? ›

Many muffin recipes use cooking oil instead of butter. Oil, being a liquid, distributes easily in the quick-mix batter and is readily absorbed into the baked muffin, producing a light non-greasy texture. Vegetable oil is ideal because its mild flavour doesn't compete with the main flavour of the muffin.

How can I improve my muffins? ›

Here are a dozen tips and test-kitchen insights that home bakers can use to build “better-for-you” muffins that taste great.
  1. Downsize the portions. ...
  2. Go whole on the grains. ...
  3. Slash the sugar. ...
  4. Pour on the oil. ...
  5. Bring out the nuts. ...
  6. Switch from grains to beans and bean flours. ...
  7. Scale back the salt.

Should you let muffin batter rest? ›

Rest the Muffin Batter

The first, most hands-off way to make your muffins pop (literally) is to let the batter rest. Make the batter, cover the bowl with plastic wrap, and let the batter rest at room temperature for about 1 hour. If you're short on time, just 30 minutes can make a difference.

How to get domed muffins? ›

I suggest baking your muffins at 400 F. I know most muffin recipes (including the ones I have used previously) all tell us to preheat our ovens to between 325-375 F. That heat range is just not enough. While it will surely cook your muffins, it will not give you the full rise that you want.

Should I coat blueberries in flour for muffins? ›

Coating the berries with a spoonful of the recipe's dry ingredients prevents sinking. Instead, it helps the berries adhere to the batter, keeping them well distributed throughout the muffin. And if you're using frozen blueberries, the flour will also help minimize how much the berries bleed into the batter.

What is the formula for muffins? ›

Muffins fall into the “quick bread” category and are essentially flavored pancake batter that's baked in muffin tins. The traditional ratio for muffins and quick bread is 2 parts flour, 2 parts liquid, 1 part egg, and 1 part butter. I'm not a fan of muffins baked this way because they are too soft and spongy.

What to add to blueberry muffin mix? ›

5 Ways To Jazz Up Muffin Mix
  1. Add Fresh or Frozen Fruit to the Batter. Our Wild Blueberry Muffin Mix comes with a can of blueberries for your convenience, but you can easily add fruit to any of our mixes. ...
  2. Add a Cream Cheese Filling. ...
  3. Add Nuts to the Batter. ...
  4. Add a Sweet Topping. ...
  5. Make Something Completely Different.

What is the most common flaw when baking muffins? ›

Overmixing is a common problem with muffins. First combine dry ingredients, mixing well. Then combine liquid ingredients, mixing well. Finally combine dry and wet ingredients, by hand, using only 15 to 20 light strokes.

What is the most important rule to follow when baking muffins? ›

Don't over stir

The most important rule of muffin making is to not over stir the mix. Instead, what you really want is to just moisten the ingredients. Resist the temptation to stir or beat the batter until it is smooth and lump free. You want the final mix to be lumpy, thick and floury.

What to add to muffin mix to make it moist? ›

Sour Cream or Plain Yogurt: Sour cream helps keep the muffins extra moist. If needed, you can use plain yogurt instead. Sugar: Use granulated sugar to sweeten these muffins. I used to use some brown sugar and some white granulated sugar, but brown sugar weighed the muffins down.

How do you keep homemade muffins moist? ›

The Best Way to Store Muffins
  1. STEP ONE: Let the muffins cool completely on a wire rack.
  2. STEP TWO: Line an airtight storage container with paper towels.
  3. STEP THREE: Place muffins in the container, on top of the paper towels.
  4. STEP FOUR: Place an additional paper towel layer on top of the muffins.

Why are Bakery muffins so much better? ›

The best bakery-style crumb muffins start with cake flour

Cake flour is more finely ground and has less protein, which leaves the muffins with a fine, light crumb and soft texture. Using cake flour is an easy way to avoid heavy, dense muffins even if you end up stirring just a bit too much.

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