Joy named these Brown Butter Blueberry Muffins, because the butter in this recipe is first quickly browned on the stove top. I didn't include this in my post title only because I didn't want those of you unfamiliar with brown butter to hurriedly turn away. To make brown butter, all you need to do is melt the butter in a skillet until it's nutty in aroma and golden brown in color. It takes just minutes.
But, more importantly, my friends, is that this is THE blueberry muffin recipe I've been searching for all my life. It's the perfect consistency, the perfect streusel topping, the perfect bite every time. Thank you, Joy, for almost completing my life. (If I can find Panera's Pumpkin Muffin recipe, then, well...we're even closer to life completion.) 🙂
Recipe Card
My Favorite Blueberry Muffins
Ingredients
For the muffins:
- 7 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- ⅓ cup buttermilk (or regular milk)
- 1 large egg
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups fresh blueberries (Can use frozen if thawed and patted dry first.)
For the streusel topping:
- 3 Tablespoons very cold unsalted butter
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 3 Tablespoons granulated sugar
Instructions
- Adjust an oven rack to the upper third of the oven. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a muffin pan with 12 baking cups; set aside.
For the muffins:
- Melt the 7 Tablespoons butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Do not stir right away, but keep an eye on it. After it's done crackling, it will turn a medium brown color and smell a little nutty. This means it's done. Remove from the heat right away and transfer to a bowl to cool.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, yolk, and vanilla until thoroughly incorporated. Stir in the brown butter.
- In a separate medium bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Add the milk mixture all at once and stir gently. Carefully fold in the blueberries then divide the batter evenly among the prepared muffin pan.
For the streusel topping:
- Combine all three ingredients in a bowl and rub together with your fingers. Mix like this until the mixture is crumbly. Sprinkle evenly over the muffin batter in the cups.
- Bake the muffins for 20 to 22 minutes, or until golden and crisp and passes the toothpick test. Cool in the muffin pan for 15 minutes before removing. Serve warm or at room temperature.
- Source: Joy the Baker Cookbook
Paulina says
I’d love to make these, but I only have salted butter on hand. Will that work?
Nikki Gladd says
Yes that is fine! Just cut the salt listed in the ingredients to 1/4 teaspoon.
Linda says
Make these muffins
They are the best
I’m going to try them with peaches
Enjoyed!
Thanks for Sharing
Nikki Gladd says
Thanks, Linda! Let us know how they turn out with peaches!
Jennifer says
This is my go to muffin recipe, my family loves them! I’m wondering if you’ve ever tried baking the batter in a loaf pan?
Nikki Gladd says
Hi Jennifer! I haven't tried that, but now you're making me want to! If you give it a shot, please come back and let us know how it turns out. In the meantime, I might just add that idea to my "to do" this week! 🙂
Julie says
The recipe states if using frozen blueberries, to thaw and rinse first. I highly recommend not doing this as they will turn to mush. This batter is very thick so a frozen blueberry will hold up much better when incorporating into batter. This is an awesome recipe.
Nikki Gladd says
Hi Julie! Thank you for your comment. The recipe doesn't state to rinse the thawed frozen blueberries, but to drain them after thawed. Meaning to drain the liquid from them, or pat dry. I'm going to change it to say "pat dry" instead of "drain" as I think it might be confusing for people to misunderstand and think I mean to both RINSE and drain. 🙂 The reason I thaw my frozen blueberries first is because I found the middle doesn't cook as even with the colder temperature from the blueberries. I'm glad you have found success without thawing, though! Thanks, again!
Niki Briggs says
I just bought some fresh cherries from Door County. Can I substitute those for the blueberries? Any.other suggestions to change the recipe if I did?
Nikki Gladd says
Although I haven't tested it to be sure, I'm thinking you probably could. I would quarter cut the cherries if you do so they are smaller pieces. Please come back and let us know how they turn out for you with any tips you might have! 🙂
Ann says
I just made these muffins and they ARE the BEST I have ever made. I added the zest of 1 lemon to the flour mixture...perfect! I have LOTS of blueberries, so I have plans to make more batches (for freezing...maybe)!
Nikki Gladd says
That wonderful, Ann! Thank you for your review. These are definitely my favorite blueberry muffins and a regular rotation in my house! 🙂
Heather says
I made these this weekend and they turned out perfect! This recipe is mos def a keeper. Also, thanks for the tip on drying my frozen blueberries.
Kristina says
Our family loves, loves, loves these muffins! Soooooo delicious!! Has anyone every tried this recipe substituting strawberries for the blueberries? My son is requesting we try that, but I love the blueberry version so much! Thanks!
Nikki Gladd says
It should be a fine substitute! 🙂 I would dice up the strawberries into small pieces to get more all around in each bite. 🙂
Maggie says
Hi, just wanted to share that I've made these muffins several times, every time they are amazing and my family requests them any time blueberries are on sale! 🙂 Thank you for creating my go-to blueberry muffin recipe!
Nikki Gladd says
Thank you, Maggie! This makes me so happy! 🙂
sheila says
Making these muffins! RN ;D
Vanessa says
These are dangerously good! I made a double batch of these and ate far too many of them!! 🙂
Pam Jones says
We have been searching forever for "the perfect blueberry muffin" We have finally found it......thank you, we love them........
Aminda says
I am not a muffin fan, but these are absolutely DELICIOUS ! I made the these last night and my husband and grandsons loved them too. I took them to work and by 9 am the were totally gone ;). Do you think and other fruit would work in these too?
Thanks for sharing this recipe!! Love ...love ... love... it.
Nikki says
Thanks, Aminda! I think you could definitely experiment with other flavors! 🙂
Anonymous says
Hello! These look soooo good! Can I make blueberry bread with this same recipe? How should I adjust cooking time? I ran out of muffin cups!
Nikki says
Hi! I have never tried to make a loaf of bread with this recipe, but it seems like it could work. I would bake it a bit longer. I would start with 30-35 minutes, and then check it every 5 minutes after that. It could take much longer, or not. I really don't know... But, if you do it, please come back and let us know how long it took for you and how it turned out! 🙂
Shawna says
I make a small loaf almost every time I make these. As long as utbis a smaller bread pan (not too deep), they turn out wonderful. My husband prefers the loaf to muffins. He says he gets more of the crumbly topping that way 😉
Nikki says
Thanks, Shawna!
Anonymous says
I tried this recipe yesterday. It was so easy and the muffins turned out so moist and scrumptious. Thanks for sharing I will use this recipe from now now. Thankfully yours.
Patty says
I certainly am going to try your recipe. FYI... if your blueberry's are frozen you do not need to thaw them. You just take them from the freezer and dust them with a little flour, this keeps them from bleeding. Hope this little tip is helpful.
Nikki says
Thanks, Patty! Will have to try that sometime! 🙂
JEss Rager says
A whole egg AND an additional egg yolk?
Nikki says
You got it! 🙂
Britni says
These are delicious. I've made them three times now and reviewed your post on my blog. Thanks! https://talenttoplay.blogspot.com/2013/08/scrumptious-sunday-brown-butter.html
Nikki says
Thanks for the nice review, Britni! 🙂
Marsha Heidebrink says
This will be my "go to" blueberry muffie recipe from now on! The brown butter gives it an added dimension to the taste and texture, I believe! Thank You for sharing.
Kellyn says
I found you through Pinterest and made these this morning. They are AMAZING! My husband and kids plowed through them. I'm pretty sure I'm going to make another batch this afternoon and freeze them for later. If they make it that far. Thanks for the awesome recipe!
Nikki says
That's great, Kellyn! We plow through them, too. Wish it made more! 🙂
Cauleen says
It if wasn't 90 degrees today, I would totally be making these right this minute! As soon as it cools down tonight, I'll be trying this recipe for sure. Thank you so much for sharing it with all of us!
Pam Jones says
I have been looking forever for a good blueberry muffin recipe. This is by far the best. The crumb topping makes these over the top good.
Tammy says
I'm new to your Blog and I have already feel in love with everything that you have posted! Thank you for sharing your wonderful ideas!! I can't wait to see more!!
Addie says
I think the portion of buttermilk is incorrect. I used the 1/3 cup stated, but used probably double that. Excellent muffins with that adjustment!!
Nikki says
Hi Addie,
The measurement of buttermilk is correct as listed (1/3 cup). The batter is supposed to be thick, so that you have to scoop it into the muffin cups. 🙂 Glad it turned out well, anyway! But, I would suggest using 1/3 cup next time and seeing what you think. 🙂
Anonymous says
Thanks Nikki. I will definitely be making these again and follow the recipe as is.
Teresa says
I was looking for a fantastic blueberry muffin and this was just perfect. I only had soy milk in the house and used it and it came out wonderful.
Nikki says
Wonderful and great to know, Teresa! Thank you!
Janet says
Just finished making these.. This recipe is a knock out!
Nikki says
Thanks, Janet! I just made another batch yesterday! 🙂
easy breakfast recipes says
Made this for a potluck and everybody was impressed. tasted really good for an easy to make breakfast/snack muffin.
Tisha says
Made these this weekend, the best
Vera Zecevic – Cupcakes Garden says
These look so cute that these could be easily become my favorite muffins too!
fontaine says
These are absolutely delicious! Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Jessica @ Sunny Side Up says
These really do look like the perfect blueberry muffins!
Family Meals and Cooking Tips says
These muffins look terrific. I have a container of blueberries in the freezer so these will be on the menu this week 🙂
Sweetsugarbelle says
These are the prettiest bb muffins I have ever seen!!! No wonder they're you're fave!!!
Suzanne says
That streusel topping looks awesome. If you use frozen blueberries, will the color bleed into the batter?
Nikki says
You can use the frozen blueberries if you thaw and drain them first. (Dry them, too, to avoid bleeding.) 🙂
Laura says
These look positively perfect!
Diane Hutchings says
I will have to make these soon! I have always looked for a perfect blueberry muffin recipe, and I am sure that yours is it!!
Tina {My Life as a Mrs} says
oh girl... i am a SUCKER for a good streusal topped muffin... making these bad boys STAT!!!!
Sue Gladd says
Oh!!! Thank you, little baker-mom!!M
Emily @ She Makes and Bakes says
I have a blueberry muffin recipe I love, but I think I'm going to have to put it aside and try these. They look incredible!
Cookbook Queen says
Oh my gosh, I LOVE a muffin with crumbles on top. I SO need to make these!!
Sarah says
These look amazing, and I'm now convinced I NEED Joy's cookbook!
Sorina says
Hello,
I like to try this recipe but I must recognize: don't know what represent 7 tablespoons of the butter because in our market is in grams...
Can you help me, please
this measure in "tablespoons" is very convenient for flour, sugar... but for butter? 🙁
many thanks!!
PS- my child ador the muffins 🙂
Sorina
Nikki says
Hi Sorina,
This website helps me with butter conversions and should be able to do the conversion for you: https://www.traditionaloven.com/conversions_of_measures/butter_converter.html
🙂 Hope this helps!
Blog is the New Black says
The crumb on the top of these muffins is to die for!