The Blueberry Muffin Challenge {Extra Blueberry Muffin with Brown Sugar Crumble}
Hello May! How are you? So, Beltane/May Day just blew right on in here, didn’t it? Mother’s Day whizzed on by. Wow, nice to see you close-to-end-month! Next up – Memorial Day!
As you’ve noticed, my cooking and baking has been sporadic non existent since the big shift in my life. But, there has been a huge source of inspiration in my life that has given me many smiles lately.
So, when you say “what can I get” and J says, “hey, I like blueberry muffins” you accept that as a challenge of your culinary ability and proceed to bake him the best damn blueberry muffins he’s ever had. Because pre-made and box mix just won’t do. 🙂
Sounds like #yumeating challenge accepted, right?
I’m going to be honest here. One of the biggest reasons I stopped cooking wasn’t just the divorce, or where I moved to, or that even my mental health reared its ugly head and the pain issues were still being dealt with. The truth there is, I am feeling better now than I have in YEARS. I work out, I watch what I eat, the pounds are coming down and I am smiling a LOT more lately.
But, there is a problem with the kitchen. Mostly, the stove. It’s gas. And there is no gas here. So, my mother has all these appliances and gadgets. And, while that worked fine for her being here by herself, for me moving in and trying to attempt to cook the way I am used to, it becomes a discombobulated mess!
So, I prepare quick meals for myself and just don’t deal.
But, I really wanted to bake again and see if I could make something blueberry since it had been ages since I made a blueberry recipe.
Since I haven’t baked in a while, and as I mentioned on the hitting the trails post, where I am isn’t the most photogenic. So, I hadn’t really planned on taking photos. But, they turned out so good and I was so happy he enjoyed them, I thought I would share them with my fellow foodies. The pictures I did take were photos I was sending to him as I went. I shared them on a few social media outlets as well. They might not be on par for blogging, but I am okay with that; especially since I am coming back from hitting a blogging wall.
This recipe was inspired by a combination of two separate recipes:
- Bakery Style Blueberry Streusel Muffins by Little Sweet Baker
- Bakery Style Blueberry Muffins with Crumb Topping by Zag Left
I’m baking in a cast iron muffin pan so I really needed a recipe that was going to bake well in that. I also needed some sort of crumble topping because whats a blueberry muffin that is homemade without the crumble topping?
J was very clear that he needed to have plenty of blueberries. So, excuse me when I tell y’all that I used the WHOLE bag.
Ingredients. Because we need them. Now is a good time to mention that despite past healthy versions of recipes – there is NOTHING healthy about these.
You’re going to need three bowls.
Two for the batter ….
(after the whole bag was added)
One for the crumble topping….
And then we do a thing.
And then we have these.
I ended up with 22 muffins. I tested one out of the first batch just to make sure they were actually edible. I had one the next day and my mother had one. So, 19 muffins leftover. J ate a few while he was here. And by I few, I mean like FIVE. Then I sent some home with him. Took him 2 days to go through them. I popped the rest in the freezer for another time, knowing I didn’t need them tempting me. I took them with me the following week to meet up with him and he devoured the remaining.
Apparently my blueberry muffins were good. It made me smile quite a bit… it’s been a while since I’ve fed someone. There is nothing quite like the feeling of knowing you made something that brought someone a bit of joy.
Cooking, it’s just like riding a bike. You can take a break, but you’ll never truly forget how it’s done.
Extra Blueberry Muffin with Brown Sugar Crumble
Ingredients
- FOR THE MUFFINS
- 2 & ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted and cooled
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 4 cups blueberries fresh or frozen
- FOR THE CRUMB TOPPING
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
- 8 tablespoons butter melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425F.
- NOTE: When cooking in a cast iron pan, you will need to watch/adjust your bake time just a little.
- Personally, I prefer lining the cast iron muffin pan, but you can use oil, spray or butter.
- Prepare the crumb topping by mixing all the ingredients together in a small bowl.
- Set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt together.
- Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk the melted butter with the sugar, eggs; mix.
- Add the milk and vanilla.
- Mix.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry and gently combine until moistened.
- Fold in the blueberries.
- Divide the batter into the muffin cups.
- Top with the crumble and bake for 5 minutes at 425F,
- After 5 minutes reduce the heat to 375F and bake for another 15 minutes.
For me, the topping is what makes it. I love blueberry muffins warm right out of the oven.
It really is all about that nice warm, crumbly topping.
Those muffins look so good! I LOVE a good blueberry muffin for breakfast.
Thank you Stacie! Can’t go wrong with a muffin for breakfast!
Those muffins sound delicious. I’ve never baked with a cast iron tin before. I love cooking with cast iron pans, though.
I think the cast iron is the best to cook in. They give the muffins a little extra oomph!
I love fresh blueberry muffins! These look really yummy and I can’t wait to try them!
I hope you enjoy them Pam!
This look so yummy. I love warm blueberry muffins with lots of butter for breakfast along with a cup of coffee.
Yummy! Great combo
This sounds amazing. I love blueberry muffins. I am going to have to make these this summer for breakfast muffins!
I hope you like them Lisa.
I love blueberry muffins! I have a blueberry patch nearby so I can pick fresh blueberries and spend the day making muffins. Yum!
That is awesome! I go to the local orchard to pick blueberries. So much fun.
It’s awesome that you’ve been able to get back to doing some cooking. The muffins definitely look good and I’m glad they went over well with J.
Thank you so much Liz! I knew I would get back to it at some point. I am just very thankful for him right now.
Those look absolutely delicious! I love fresh blueberry muffins!
Thank you!
I love a warm muffin in the morning. A warm blueberry muffin and a hot coffee. Yum. Thanks for the great recipe
Perfect combo!
I love a good blueberry muffin. The crumble topping made my mouth water. Glad you are back to your baking. We are growing blueberries so I need to remember this recipe. Thanks.
I live right by an orchard that does blueberry picking every year. Super excited to go!
These look incredible, I love the color! My kids would love the juicy blueberries!
Be sure to add extra! Makes them that much more special 😉
Those look really delicious. I have never tried a blueberry muffin with a crumble on it before though. It looks very good.
You really must try them Valerie, the crumble makes the muffin that much better!
It’s great that you are back into doing something you enjoy. The Blueberry Muffins look yummy. I might have to give this a try,
Thank you so much!
Wow, looks so delicious! I want to try to cook a blueberry muffin at home because I keep on buying it from the bread store.
You really should Ryan! So much better for you too!
Those crumbs at the top rock the whole thing! I love blueberry muffins and this recipe is a must try for me, can’t wait for the result!
I hope you enjoy them Nicole! I am a huge fan of crumble toppings, I use it on quite a few desserts.
You know what? I am super glad you took on this challenge! No matter what life had tossed at ya and where you headed – it’s always great to get back on track and give yourself a little challenge – these look yummy!
Thank you so much Brandy. Your comment really meant a lot. Sometimes in can get hard pushing through but these days I have a lot of great cheerleaders pushing me on.
Those looks super yummy. Hopefully you continue to find more ways to cook in a kitchen that is difficult to maneuver 🙂
I hope so too! I plan to keep trying!
Those look delicious. I’m a huge fan of blueberry muffins. They’re my favorite. I’ll be trying out your recipe.
I hope you like it Kathy!
These look delicious!! It can be so hard to find a healthy option for some of my favorite comfort foods.
I have a healthier version of blueberry muffins, I just didn’t want ‘book boy’ to give me the stink eye on first bite. LOL
Oh my goodness this sounds amazing, I have to admit I do love a good blueberry muffin! x
So much #nomnom
Good for you on the weight loss! These muffins look really good!
Thank you Melissa!
I’m in Michigan too! I saw the Spartan products and I was like “hmmmm!”. These look fab, I’ll pin for later. I like lots of blueberries too!
Yah for more Mitten folks!
The same thing would probably happen at home if I make these and present it to everyone. We’re a muffin loving family so this one easily IS the cake!
That is awesome!
Blueberry muffins are my favorite! My divorce put the brakes on my cooking too, but you will bounce back. 🙂
Slowly but surly I am getting there!
I don’t eat muffins very often. I tend to sugar crash a few hours later. I don’t have that problem with other foods. It’s weird. I do love blueberry muffins though.
I get sugar crashes quite easily so I have to stay away from foods with added sugars and high in overly processed carbs. So, I completely understand! I did have to test one though 😉
Congratulations on your persistance to start baking again! These sound so great!
Thank you Toni! I sure missed it.
Hey! Just got your letter today and was looking for the most recent entry to say “Yo!” on. The muffins do look scrumptious. Although the funny part in the ingredients? I saw the baking powder was “Clabber Girl”. I thought it was kind of a spiffy can because it looks all old-school, right? But my chap was always disturbed by that baking powder. Something about the title gave him the creeps. It was hilarious to watch him react badly to it.
Anyway, I have written a response and hope to get it out by tomorrow. Thanks for being a pen pal. <3
I am so glad my “supper rushed need to do better” letter arrived! LOL
I love the Clabber Girl, they haven’t changed their marketing or label in years! I am drawn to all things vintage. That is so funny about your chap reading the label. I bet that was funny to witness in person.
Look forward to your reply! You are so welcome. I look forward to many letters in the years to come.
I am a huge fan of anything with blueberries! I would love to have a blueberry muffin challenge! I would eat them all.
I love blueberries too!
Congrats on baking again! I know how rough it can be when you get a divorce you didn’t expect. These look just scrumptious. I just love blueberries.
The ex and I both knew it was coming at some point, just not really sure when one of us was going to be the stronger one to get it done. Life is so much better these days.
My oldest is crazy for blueberry muffins. I know she’d love these. It does warm a heart to bake up something for someone special.
It really does Crystal. And it was so nice to do that for someone again.
Well, I wasn’t hungry, but now I definitely am. THese look good.
Thank you Rosey!
It’s so funny, I love a good blueberry muffin but never thought about making my own. I’ll try it!
You should! #Yumeating!
Yum, I LOVE Blueberry muffins! I haven’t made them in so long, but I think this is a recipe I need to do this weekend. Delicious!