Blueberry muffins are a classic American favorite. With their tender crumb, sweet blueberries, and a crunchy sugar topping, they are perfect for breakfast or anytime you want a sweet treat. This guide will not only give you a tried-and-true blueberry muffin recipe but also provide tips on how to make them even more delicious.
The Blueberry Muffin: A Brief History
Blueberry muffins have a cherished history in American baking. The recipe we will be presenting has its roots in the kitchens of the famous Jordan Marsh department store in downtown Boston. The store was renowned for its bakery, particularly its oversized, addictive blueberry muffins. When you bite into these muffins, you are tasting a bit of history.
The Basics: Ingredients and Equipment
To make the best blueberry muffins, you need the right ingredients and equipment.
Ingredients
For this muffin recipe, you’ll need the following:
- Unsalted butter
- Sugar
- Large egg
- Vanilla extract
- All-purpose flour
- Kosher salt
- Baking powder
- Milk
- Blueberries
- Coarse sanding sugar
Equipment
You will need a standard muffin tin. You can also use individual muffin cups. In this guide, we will be using parchment paper, but regular muffin papers will work just as well.
The Recipe: Step-by-Step Guide
How to Make Blueberry Muffins
- Cream the butter and sugar until light. Add the egg, beating well. Stir in the vanilla.
- Sift together the flour, salt, and baking powder.
- Add the flour mixture to the creamed mixture, alternating with the milk. Start and end with the flour.
- Fold in the blueberries.
- Line a standard muffin tin with 6 liners, and divide the batter equally among the liners.
- Sprinkle sanding sugar over the tops of the muffins.
- Bake at 375ºF for 30-35 minutes, or until the tops are golden and a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
- Remove muffins from the tin, cool, and enjoy!
Enhancing the Flavor: Using Sanding Sugar
Sanding sugar is a coarse, heat-resistant sugar that adds a crunchy texture and a touch of extra sweetness to muffins. It’s not absolutely essential, but it definitely takes this recipe to the next level. You can find it at most grocery stores or online.
Picking the Perfect Blueberries
Blueberry Season
Blueberry season varies depending on where you live. In the southern parts of the USA, peak blueberry season is from May to July. In Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia, the season can extend well into October.
Wild vs Cultivated Blueberries
Most blueberries in stores are cultivated highbush blueberries. However, if you come across wild lowbush blueberries, give them a try! They are more flavorful and contain more antioxidants.
A Note on Muffin Tins
You can use a standard muffin tin or individual muffin cups. The latter is great because they stack, making storage easier. You can also use parchment paper instead of regular muffin papers.
The Best Blueberry Muffins Recipe
Now let’s dive into the detailed recipe.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 cup blueberries, washed and dried
- 1 tablespoon coarse sanding sugar (or as desired), for topping
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Cream the butter and sugar until light. Add the egg, beating well. Stir in the vanilla.
- In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, salt, and baking powder. Add this to the creamed mixture, alternating with the milk. Start and end with the flour.
- Fold in the blueberries.
- Line a standard muffin tin with 6 liners. Distribute the batter equally among the liners. Sprinkle the sanding sugar over the tops of the muffins.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the tops are golden and a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
- Remove the muffins from the tin, let them cool, and enjoy!
Nutritional Information
Each muffin contains approximately 258 calories, with 8.7g of fat, 42.4g of carbohydrates, and 3.7g of protein.
Wrapping Up
There you have it, a step-by-step guide to making the best blueberry muffins. Now you’re equipped to create a delicious treat that has stood the test of time. Bon appétit!
