This will be a FUN day. Filled with muffins. A mountain of ’em.
It’s been 3 years since we chatted about my master muffin recipe. And during those 3 years, I fell in love with ANOTHER master muffin recipe that began with my Blueberry Muffins. I can love both equally, right? Tell me I don’t have to choose!
What’s a master muffin recipe? It’s 1 muffin batter that can produce all sorts of different muffin varieties and flavors. My previous master muffin mix creates big + giant bakery style muffins with crusty edges and tops. Today’s master muffin mix creates soft and buttery muffins where the chunks and chips are just as mouthwatering as the muffin crumbs themselves. I’ve been gravitating towards the latter lately.
I’m not sure if you’ve noticed it, but I’ve been using the same basic muffin recipe for one, two, three, four, five, six, and seven of my muffin creations. I actually had no idea it was that many until I just counted! Obsessed much?
And in addition to those seven muffin recipes all stemming from the same starting point, I have 5 more variations pictured for you today. Plus 10 more variations listed out under the recipe. That’s 22 muffins on your to-do list that all start from the same exact place. If muffins are your breakfast love language, we’re one in the same. And also, today’s definitely the day to be reading.
Let’s get right into it.
What You Need
The muffin batter starts with basic dry ingredients like flour, baking powder + soda, and salt. More often than not, I add ground cinnamon. Cinnamon and muffins sort of go hand-in-hand, right? The only time I don’t add it is when I’m preparing a citrus-y flavored muffin. All ingredients you have on hand at this very moment.
The wet ingredients are just as simple. Creamed butter and sugar, plus 2 eggs, vanilla, sour cream/plain yogurt, and milk. That’s it. Based on the flavor of the muffin, I use brown sugar or granulated sugar. It’s usually always brown sugar though (*all hail brown sugar*). I use either plain Greek yogurt or sour cream based on what I have in the fridge at the moment. Same with milk. Whole milk, 1% milk, buttermilk, almond milk– honestly, it all works in this master muffin recipe.
That’s 11 ingredients total including the cinnamon. And all 11 ingredients are baking staples, nothing new or difficult to find plus you have wiggle room with the sour cream and milk depending on what is convenient for you.
The Best Muffin Trick
I’ve been using this muffin trick for years and SWEAR by it. Fill your muffin cups/liners all the way to the tippy top. Overflowing even. (See the pictures below for a visual.) Bake the muffins for just 5 minutes at a high temperature. Reduce the temperature for the remaining bake time. This initial hot burst of air lifts the muffins straight up, creating a solid dome. The rest of the time at a normal baking temperature cooks the center of the muffin.
NOTE: This only works with certain muffin batters. Muffin batter has to be thick and sturdy, like most of the muffin recipes on my blog including today’s master muffin recipe.
Now the fun stuff. F-L-A-V-O-R-S!!!
- Blueberry Muffins
- Cranberry Cardamom Spice Muffins
- Blackberry Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins
- Strawberry Cheesecake Muffins
- Cranberry Orange Muffins
- Peach Streusel Muffins
- Apple Crumb Muffins
- White chocolate raspberry muffins (today)
- Apple cinnamon muffins (today)
- Lemon poppy seed muffins (today)
- Mixed berry muffins (today)
- Chocolate chip streusel muffins (today)
WHITE CHOCOLATE RASPBERRY MUFFINS:
APPLE CINNAMON MUFFINS:
LEMON POPPY SEED MUFFINS:
MIXED BERRY MUFFINS:
CHOCOLATE CHIP STREUSEL MUFFINS:
Let’s get a closer look at that gorgeous chocolate chip muffin…
All of these muffins began from the same exact muffin batter.
As you can see, I played around with different toppings. I drizzled the lemon poppy seed muffins and mixed berry muffins with lemon glaze. I topped the white chocolate raspberry muffins and lemon poppy seed muffins with coarse sugar prior to baking. The apple cinnamon muffins got a light sprinkle of oats and the chocolate chip streusel muffins got a generous dose of, you guessed it, delicious crumb streusel.
Mix and match based on what you’re craving! Which will you try first?
PS: 10 more flavors below the recipe!
You can find: my double chocolate muffin recipe in Sally’s Baking Addiction, my favorite pumpkin muffins here, the best morning glory muffins here, zucchini muffins, delicious cornbread muffins here, and all my healthier muffins here.
Print
Master Muffin Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12-14 muffins
- Category: Muffins
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Use this master muffin recipe to make any muffin you love! They’re basic, easy, delicious, and freezer friendly.
Ingredients
- 1 and 3/4 cups (220g) all-purpose flour (spoon & leveled)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup (115g or 1 stick) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 3/4 cup (150g) packed light brown sugar (or granulated)
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup (120g) sour cream or plain yogurt, at room temperature
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup (60ml) milk (any kind), at room temperature
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F (218°C). Spray a 12-count muffin pan with nonstick spray or line with cupcake liners. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt together. Set aside.
- In a large bowl using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on high speed until smooth and creamy, about 1 minute. Add the brown sugar and beat on high until creamed, about 2 full minutes. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed. Add the eggs, sour cream, and vanilla extract. Beat on medium speed for 1 minute, then turn up to high speed until the mixture is combined. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.
- Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and beat on low speed until just about combined. Add the milk and continue to beat on low until combined.
- Spoon the batter evenly into each cup or liner, filling each all the way to the top. Bake the muffins for 5 minutes at 425 then, keeping the muffins in the oven, reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (177°C). Bake for an additional 15-18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The total time these muffins take in the oven is about 22-23 minutes, give or take. Allow the muffins to cool for 5 minutes in the muffin pan, then transfer to a wire rack to continue cooling.
- Glazed muffins stay fresh stored in the refrigerator for 1 week, unglazed muffins stay fresh stored at room temperature for a few days– then transfer to the fridge for up to 1 week.
Notes
- White Chocolate Raspberry Muffins – fold 1 cup raspberries + 3/4 cup white chocolate chips into the batter in step 4. Sprinkle muffin tops with coarse sugar before baking.
- Apple Cinnamon Muffins – mix an additional 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon + 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg with the dry ingredients in step 2. Fold 1 cup peeled chopped apple + 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts into the batter in step 4. Sprinkle muffin tops with some oats before making.
- Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins – leave out cinnamon and use granulated sugar instead of brown. Mix 2 Tablespoons poppy seeds into the dry ingredients in step 2. Fold zest from 2 medium lemons and juice from 1 medium lemon (2-3 Tbsp) into the batter in step 4. Sprinkle muffin tops with coarse sugar before baking. Drizzle with lemon glaze after baking.
- Mixed Berry Muffins – mix 1 and 1/2 cups mixed berries into the batter in step 4. Drizzle with lemon glaze after baking.
- Chocolate Chip Streusel Muffins – fold 1 and 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips into the batter in step 4. Press crumbs down into muffin tops before baking.
- Make Ahead Instructions: For longer storage, freeze muffins for up to 3 months. Allow to thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then bring to room temperature or warm up in the microwave if desired.
- Jumbo Muffins: 425°F for 5 minutes, then reduce to 350°F for 22-25 minutes for a total of 27-30. Makes about 6.
- Mini Muffins: 350°F for 12-14 minutes. Makes about 36-40.
10 MORE FLAVORS!
- Cinnamon Pecan Muffins: master muffin batter + 3/4 cups toasted chopped pecans + 3/4 cup cinnamon chips. With this crumb topping!
- White Chocolate Nectarine: master muffin batter + 1 heaping cup peeled chopped nectarine + 1/2 cup white chocolate chips. With brown sugar nut streusel.
- Blueberry Lemon Muffins: master muffin batter + zest and juice of 1 lemon + 1 and 1/2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries (leave out cinnamon)
- Pear Spice Muffins: master muffin batter + 1 and 1/4 cups peeled chopped pear + 1/4 teaspoon each ground nutmeg, ground cloves, + allspice
- Crumb Cake Muffins: master muffin batter + extra 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon + this crumb topping
- Banana Nut Muffins: master muffin batter + 3/4 cup mashed banana + leave out sour cream + 1 cup chopped walnuts. Cheesecake filling would be delicious in these!
- Ginger Peach Muffins: master muffin batter + 1 and 1/4 cups peeled chopped peaches + 2 Tablespoons freshly grated ginger. With brown sugar nut streusel, yum!
- Pineapple Coconut Muffins: master muffin batter + 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut + 3/4 cup finely chopped pineapple (fresh or canned)
- Birthday Cake Muffins: master muffin batter + 3/4 cup rainbow sprinkles + 1 teaspoon almond extract (leave out cinnamon)
- Cranberry Apple Muffins: master muffin batter + 1 cup peeled chopped apple + 3/4 cup fresh or frozen cranberries. This crumb topping would be yummy!
Hi, Sally! I’ve been following your site and using your wonderful recipes for years. I do have one question, and when I search the internet, there are so many different opinions on it…I would rather trust your judgment! When I bake muffins, do they go on the top rack or middle rack? And, if I start them on the top rack, do I move them to the middle when lowering the temperature?
Hi Kristy, Bake your muffins on the middle rack. It’s best not to open the oven door in the middle of the bake time if you can help it, so just keep them in the middle when lowering the temperature!
This recipe is perfect! I made cinnamon crumb muffins and chocolate chip crumb muffins yesterday with this recipe and they were SOOOOOO delicious! Thanks so much for providing such an amazing recipe!
★★★★★
Hi sally, can i use oil in place of butter?
Hi Kathy, We don’t recommend oil for this recipe. You could likely replace the butter with the same amount of softened coconut oil (since it must be creamed).
I tried this and the muffins are perfect! I added roasted sun flower seeds, chocolate chips and a table spoon of soaked chia seeds. I dont regret that. Thank you for this recipe.
I tried this recipe and just tossed in the fruit I had on hand (pineapple, kiwi, and maraschino cherries). I also substituted about half of the sugar with homemade dulce de leche. Skipped the vanilla and cinnamon, and the baking soda since I used self-rising flour. Then after I put the batter in the muffin pan, I put about 1/2 tsp of the dulce de leche on the top and swirled it into just the very top layer of the batter (I did this with banana bread the other day and it made a really great glaze after it was baked).
I was fairly happy with the result! It wasn’t overly sweet. The glaze on the top didn’t harden like it did on my banana bread, but it added a very nice bit of extra sweetness. I think I will put more fruit next time. It was a good combination. Thanks so much for the recipe!
Yum yum I am eating my apple cinnamon muffin as we speak ❤
★★★★★
Maybe it was my error but i just tried the apple cinnamon ones and my apples were mushy. i have never had apples in a muffin so maybe that is whhat was supposed to happen but i did not love it
★★★★
That means too much apple or not enough bake time I would say. Def not supposed to be mushy
Hi Sally! I seriously love you. I’ve made a ton of your recipes, and they have all turned out amazing on my first try! I started out with these muffins, then scones, cookies, pies, and cheesecakes. I’m selling them in my home based store and they’ve been a huge hit. I really appreciate all the baking tips. You’re very detailed and thorough. I’ve been professionally trained and worked as a chef for several years, but I didn’t do much baking before, besides making some pies at a truck stop. I’ve learned so much from you! I told my husband I needed to post a glowing review, and he literally said “no you don’t, just make more of these”…as he was eating the white choc rasp cheesecake bars.
★★★★★
I was kinda of mad because I was in a rush and didn’t really read the entry or anything before I made these. And then I Realized that these are a bit more involved than I was trying to make. But, Boy! These are so good! Now I am super happy!
I’m glad I duster off some extra tools!
I used whole wheat flour as I usually do. And threw in leftover fruit from my kids.
EXACTLY what I was looking for! Jumbo sized muffins that can rival a bakery! I just made the banana walnut jumbo sized muffins and ate the first of the 6. It is literally taking everything out of me to not eat a second one! It’s so soft, the flavor is amazing, and it looks just like a professional bakery, I topped mine with banana slices! Thank you Sally!
★★★★★
delicious!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
★★★★★
I started baking around April this year. This is the best bake I’ve done since I started and I am so happy. They’re so delicious, so soft and such a fantastic flavour ❤️.
Will definitely be trying more recipes from you Sally. Thank you.
★★★★★
Hi Sally and team! Please advise how to get honey flavour into these. Do I replace sugar, or a liquid? Is there a baking rule with regards to honey? Thank you!!
Hi Amy! That would require a little recipe testing. You won’t be able to properly cream the butter without regular sugar, so the entire base of the recipe would change. You can try to blend the softened butter with honey, though. I recommend slightly reducing the milk. Let me know if you test anything! By the way, I love these blueberry oatmeal muffins. I use honey in that recipe.
Excited to try these! I use whole wheat flour when I can. Is that possible for these muffins?
Hi Elise, Whole wheat flour will produce a muffin that is more dense and hearty. You can try subbing half of the all purpose for for whole wheat or when you search recipes by ingredient (Whole Wheat Recipes) there are many muffins you can try.
Do you have instructions for temp and time if I bake in a loaf pan?
Hi Suzie! Yes, follow the same baking time and temperature as this blueberry muffin bread. (Which is a similar recipe.)
Quick question — assuming this recipe would be good as a mini loaf as well ? A pear ginger spice loaf with a crumb topping for the fall is what I am dreaming about.
That sounds delicious, Janis! Yes you can use this recipe for mini loaves – the bake time will vary depending on the size of your loaf pans but bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Can I do without the sour cream or yoghurt?
Hi Jamaliah, In a pinch you can substitute BOTH the sour cream/yogurt and milk for buttermilk (or a DIY soured milk). Use 3/4 cup buttermilk in place of both. I hope this helps!
Hi There! How does the timing/temp change with mini muffins? Do you still recommend the initial 425° in that size or is that only for jumbo muffins?
Hi Julie, No, bake them the entire time at 350F. See recipe notes for details!
How do you make the lemon glaze?
Hi there! I’m so excited to try these, but I want to incorporate carrots instead. Carrot cake traditionally uses oil instead of butter, what would you suggest as method for adjustment?
Hi Mo, For a carrot muffin made with oil, I recommend using this recipe for Morning Glory Muffins and replacing the apple with more shredded carrot (the raisins and pecans are optional).
A few years ago I went through a phase of making muffins almost every weekend (I was single!) But I didn’t have the recipe anymore so I found yours and I’ve now made it twice. The first time raspberry and white chocolate, the second time caramel apple with your crumb topping. I have to say my chubby heart is very happy to have found such a simple and delicious recipe, with literally infinite possibilities! Thanks so much <3
★★★★★
Hi there, I’m a real fan of all your recipes but your muffins are really super delicious! I wanted to ask you if you have any ideas on how to incorporate maple syrup taste in the muffins. something like a french toast kind of taste. Do you have any ideas? Thank you in advance!
★★★★★
Hi Ellie, We haven’t tested this exact recipe with maple syrup. You can try to replace some of the brown sugar with maple syrup and/or adding maple extract. Or what about making these Baked Maple Glazed Donuts in a muffin pan (see recipe notes for directions)? You could also make Overnight French Toast (with or without the blueberries) as individual servings in a muffin pan. Let us know what you try!
Hi there!, we are making these muffins with our son for his science class. He was instructed to pick a baking recipe (muffins). We unfortunately had issues with mixing in the sour cream, eggs and vanilla to the creamed butter/sugar mix!, it does not emulsify. He made sure that the ingredients were at room temperature (left them over 2 hrs outside the refrigerator) and in two opportunities we had to dump the whole thing!. I guess we are trying to learn here the secrets of emulsifying, etc. Any recommendations?
Hi Ana Maria, the curdled appearance is a result from varying textures trying to combine (no matter if they are all room temperature or not). Creamy butter, thick sour cream, liquid in the eggs. No need to toss this out! Once you add the dry ingredients, it all comes together.
I love this recipe! My favorite is a cardamom and rosewater muffin. I replace the cinnamon with a tablespoon and a half of cardamom and I replace the vanilla with rosewater. I also add walnuts. Thank you!
★★★★★