Introduction
Delightful berry muffins are a perfect treat for breakfast or a sweet snack any time of the day. These muffins are infused with the natural sweetness of mixed berries, complemented by the richness of coconut oil and a hint of maple syrup. Pair them with homemade honey butter for a truly indulgent experience.
Detailed Ingredients with measures
Berry Muffins:
– 3/4 cup coconut oil, melted
– 1/2 cup brown sugar
– 1/4 cup maple syrup
– 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
– 2 eggs
– 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
– 2 cups all-purpose flour (280 grams)
– 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
– 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
– 1 teaspoon fine kosher salt
– 2 cups frozen mixed berries
– 1/4 cup turbinado sugar for topping (brown sugar also works)
Honey Butter:
– 4 tablespoons softened salted butter
– 1/4 cup honey
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time, Total Time, Yield
Cook Time: 14-16 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 9-10 muffins
Instructions
1. Prepare the Muffin Batter: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). In a large bowl, whisk together the melted coconut oil, brown sugar, maple syrup, Greek yogurt, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir until a soft dough forms.
2. Thaw and Prepare the Berries: Place the frozen mixed berries in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for one minute to thaw. Transfer the thawed berries to a fine mesh strainer and gently rinse with warm water for 15-30 seconds to remove excess juices. Lightly tap the strainer to drain additional water. After this process, you should have about 1 cup of thawed berries.
3. Incorporate Berries into Batter: Gently fold the prepared berries into the muffin batter, being careful not to overmix to maintain some whole berries in the batter.
4. Fill Muffin Tin and Add Topping: Grease a muffin tin with butter or nonstick baking spray. Divide the batter evenly among 9-10 muffin cups. Sprinkle the tops of each muffin with turbinado sugar.
5. Bake the Muffins: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 14-16 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Once baked, remove the muffins from the oven and allow them to cool slightly. Use a knife to gently release each muffin from the tin.
6. Prepare the Honey Butter: In a small bowl, mix the softened salted butter with honey until well combined.
7. Serve: Spread the honey butter over the warm muffins and enjoy.
Detailed Directions and Instructions
Prepare the Muffin Batter
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). In a large bowl, whisk together the melted coconut oil, brown sugar, maple syrup, Greek yogurt, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir until a soft dough forms.
Thaw and Prepare the Berries
Place the frozen mixed berries in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for one minute to thaw. Transfer the thawed berries to a fine mesh strainer and gently rinse with warm water for 15-30 seconds to remove excess juices. Lightly tap the strainer to drain additional water. After this process, you should have about 1 cup of thawed berries.
Incorporate Berries into Batter
Gently fold the prepared berries into the muffin batter, being careful not to overmix to maintain some whole berries in the batter.
Fill Muffin Tin and Add Topping
Grease a muffin tin with butter or nonstick baking spray. Divide the batter evenly among 9-10 muffin cups. Sprinkle the tops of each muffin with turbinado sugar.
Bake the Muffins
Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 14-16 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Once baked, remove the muffins from the oven and allow them to cool slightly. Use a knife to gently release each muffin from the tin.
Prepare the Honey Butter
In a small bowl, mix the softened salted butter with honey until well combined.
Serve
Spread the honey butter over the warm muffins and enjoy.
Notes
Storage
Store any leftover muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for longer freshness.
Chocolate Chip Variation
For an added twist, consider substituting half the berries with chocolate chips for a chocolate-berry combination.
Fresh Berries
If using fresh berries instead of frozen, reduce the amount of rinsing to avoid excess moisture and adjust baking time as needed.
Coconut Oil Tips
Ensure the coconut oil is melted but not hot when mixing with other wet ingredients to avoid cooking the eggs prematurely.
Cook techniques
Mixing Wet Ingredients
Begin by whisking together the melted coconut oil, brown sugar, maple syrup, Greek yogurt, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth. Ensuring the wet ingredients are well combined is crucial for a uniform muffin batter.
Incorporating Dry Ingredients
Add the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and fine kosher salt to the wet mixture. Stir until just combined to avoid overworking the dough, which can result in dense muffins.
Thawing Berries
To prepare frozen mixed berries, microwave them for one minute. Then, use a fine mesh strainer to rinse under warm water for 15-30 seconds to eliminate excess juice, ensuring the muffins don’t become overly wet.
Folding in Berries
Gently fold the thawed berries into the batter. It’s important to handle the batter delicately at this stage to keep some whole berries intact, providing a pleasant texture in the muffins.
Greasing Muffin Tin
Grease the muffin tin with butter or nonstick baking spray to ensure the muffins can be removed easily after baking without sticking.
Baking Muffins
Bake the muffins in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 14-16 minutes, monitoring them until the tops are golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean.
Preparing Honey Butter
Mix softened salted butter with honey in a small bowl until fully combined. This creates a sweet spread that complements the muffins beautifully.
Serving Muffins
Serve the muffins warm with a generous spread of honey butter on top, enhancing their flavor and providing a delightful finish.
FAQ
Can I use different types of oil instead of coconut oil?
Yes, you can substitute coconut oil with vegetable oil, canola oil, or melted butter if preferred.
What can I use instead of Greek yogurt?
You can replace Greek yogurt with regular yogurt or applesauce as alternatives, keeping in mind that it may slightly alter the texture.
How do I store leftover muffins?
Store leftover muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Can I use fresh berries instead of frozen?
Yes, fresh berries can be used, but avoid washing them until ready to use to prevent excess moisture.
What is turbinado sugar, and can I use brown sugar instead?
Turbinado sugar is lightly refined sugar with a coarse texture; brown sugar can be used as a substitute for similar sweetness and texture.
Conclusion
These delightful berry muffins, complemented by the sweet, creamy honey butter, create a deliciously satisfying treat perfect for breakfast or an afternoon snack. The combination of wholesome ingredients and vibrant berries results in a flavorful and moist muffin that’s sure to please.
More recipes suggestions and combination
Citrus Muffins
Substitute mixed berries with fresh orange and lemon zest for a refreshing citrus twist.
Chocolate Chip Muffins
Replace berries with a cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips for a decadent indulgence.
Banana Nut Muffins
Incorporate mashed ripe bananas and chopped walnuts into the batter for a classic banana nut flavor.
Apple Cinnamon Muffins
Add diced apples and a sprinkle of cinnamon for a warm, autumn-inspired muffin.
Peanut Butter Muffins
Include a half cup of creamy peanut butter into the batter for a nutty flavor that pairs well with honey butter.
Oatmeal Berry Muffins
Mix in rolled oats along with the berries for added texture and fiber.
Carrot Raisin Muffins
Incorporate grated carrots and raisins for a sweet and healthy option.
Nut-Free Option
Use sunflower seed butter instead of peanut butter to make a delicious nut-free muffin.
Muffins with Yogurt Swirl
Add a dollop of flavored yogurt to the center of each muffin before baking for a creamy surprise.
Spiced Pumpkin Muffins
Integrate pumpkin puree and pumpkin spice for a cozy, spiced muffin perfect for fall.
