Muffins

Muffins are one of the very first things I learned how to cook as a child, and they remain a cherished breakfast food. Quick, easy, and bursting with fresh flavors, I’ve come to view muffins as my go-to baking item and my sanity saver in both the morning and at snack time.

I know whenever I go to the coffee shop I can’t resist a muffin, so it’s only natural that I have a wide variety of muffin recipes here!

It’s easy to customize them for different flavors, and they freeze so well for future breakfasts.

Whether you love to fill your muffins with plump, juicy fruits or prefer to use spices and zests as the main flavor, muffins mix up and are ready for the oven in less than ten minutes.

A note about ingredients

In my kitchen I use King Arthur Flour brand flours. Over the years I’ve found it to be the most consistent in terms of quality, and well worth the higher cost.

Items like flax meal, whole wheat pastry flour, and bran meal can be found in most stores these days. Check the bulk bins if your store offers them, so you can buy just what you need.

For fruit muffins, fresh is best, but thawed frozen fruit works as well. Be sure to drain off any excess liquid and toss with a bit of flour before mixing into the batter to ensure even distribution and to keep fruit from sinking.

Mixing muffins

Be careful to not overmix your batters, because this will cause the gluten to develop further and create large air bubbles in your muffin, making the muffin less tender. Stop mixing once your wet and dry ingredients are just combined.

For storing

Muffins are best eaten just out of the oven, but can be stored in an airtight container for up to three days. Alternatively, place them in freezer bags, freeze, and reheat in the microwave or toaster oven.

Each recipe makes 12 standard-size muffins, unless otherwise noted. Be sure to adjust cooking time if using a different size muffin pan.

Whole wheat apple cinnamon muffins are a good introduction to baking with whole wheat, and everyone loves the combo of apples and cinnamon.
Muffins can be savory too: try my mini hatch and bacon corn muffins to go with your next bowl of chili.
Peaches and cream muffins are soft and delicious. They’re perfect for using up any of those peaches you have lingering in the fridge.
Snickerdoodle muffins have a crisp cinnamon-sugar top, just like the classic cookie!

View all the latest muffin recipes below.