Blueberry Streusel Muffins Tested Recipe

Blueberry Streusel Muffins Recipe

These Blueberry Streusel Muffins are a nice cross between a muffin and a coffee cake. Fresh blueberries are wonderfully sweet with just a touch of tartness and are perfect in this buttery sweet cake-like batter. The crowning touch is a delicious sprinkling of buttery streusel. Great either warm from the oven or at room temperature.

Did you know that the word 'streusel' comes from the German word 'streuen' which means 'to sprinkle' or 'to scatter'? And that is exactly what we are doing here. The streusel is sprinkled over the top of the muffins before they are placed in the oven. What I especially like about this recipe is that you do not make the streusel from a separate batter. Instead it is made from a portion of the cake batter, that you simply add a little melted butter to. Although ground cinnamon would seem like the obvious spice to add to the streusel, I have resisted doing this as I want these muffins to burst with the flavor of blueberries. As always, look for blueberries that are firm, plump, fragrant, and are covered with a dusty white bloom. The white bloom is the blueberry's natural protection against the sun and is a sign of freshness. And be sure to check the underside of the container for any wet spots or staining. Discard any soft, moldy, or crushed berries.

For more information on making muffins.

Blueberry Streusel Muffins: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C). Place rack in middle of oven. Line 16 - 18 muffin cups with paper liners or spray with a non stick vegetable spray.

In a measuring cup mix together the milk, eggs, and vanilla extract.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut the butter into small pieces and blend into the flour mixture with a pastry blender or two knives. (The mixture should look like coarse crumbs.) Remove one cup of the mixture and set aside in a separate bowl to make the streusel topping. To the remaining muffin batter, gently fold in the blueberries and lemon zest. Add the milk and egg mixture to the flour mixture. Stir until just combined. (Do not over mix this mixture or the muffins will be tough when baked.)

Fill each muffin cup with the batter, using two spoons or an ice cream scoop. Fill any unused muffins cups with water to prevent the pan from warping.

For streusel topping: Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons (28 grams) butter and drizzle over the reserved 1 one cup of streusel topping. Mix together with a fork until it is crumbly and looks like coarse meal. Sprinkle a couple of teaspoons of the streusel over the top of each muffin. Place in the oven and bake until very lightly browned and firm to the touch and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 18 - 22 minutes. Place on a wire rack to cool.

Makes 16 - 18 regular-sized muffins.

Note: Frozen blueberries can be used instead of fresh. Do not thaw the berries before using them. Make sure you do not overmix the batter after you add the blueberries or the batter will turn blue.

Adapted from Oregon's Cuisine of the Rain by Karen Brooks.

Blueberry Streusel Muffins:

1 cup (240 ml) milk

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

3 cups (390 grams) all-purpose flour

1 cup (200 grams) granulated white sugar

1 tablespoon (12 grams) baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small pieces

2 cups (260 grams) fresh or frozen blueberries

1/2 tablespoon grated lemon zest

2 tablespoons (28 grams) unsalted butter, melted

Lemon Zest - The yellow outer rind of the lemon that contains the fruit's flavor and perfume. The rind being the outer skin of the lemon which consists of both the yellow zest and white membrane (pith).