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’ve started falling in love with another master muffin recipe. I can have two muffin loves, 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 streusel muffins
- Cranberry cardamom spice muffins
- Blackberry lemon poppy seed muffins
- Strawberry cheesecake muffins
- Cranberry orange muffins
- Peach streusel muffins
- Glazed 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, deeeeelish cornbread muffins here, and all my healthier muffins here.
Master Muffin Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 and 3/4 cups (220g) all-purpose flour
- 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
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup (60ml) milk (any kind)
Directions:
- 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 and creamy. 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.
Make ahead tip: 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.
Recipe 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 and juice from 2 medium lemons 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.
For a jumbo muffin pan: 425°F for 5 minutes, then reduce to 350°F for 22-23 minutes for a total of 27-28, give or take. Makes about 6.
For mini muffins: 350°F for 11-13 minutes. Makes 28-34, depending on which add-ins.
Did you make a recipe?
Tag @sallysbakeblog on Instagram and hashtag it #sallysbakingaddiction.
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!
Can you use no fat yogurt?
Full fat or low fat is best, but non fat can work too.
Hi Sally! A master muffin mix recipe is exactly what I was looking for! Perfect for the person who wants to make some many different flavors (me). I made these and divided the batter into four bowls so that I could make 3 muffins of 4 different flavor combos that I came up with. I used your recipe as my guide, but I swapped out a lot of ingredients to try and make a lower calorie muffin. I’m impressed so far. I would love to blog my new healthier muffin recipe and would love to link readers to your site to give you credit for getting me started on the recipe.
Thanks Bre! I’m glad you enjoyed them with the alterations you made 🙂
If I wanted to adapt this to make chocolate muffins, how much cocoa should I use and by how much should I reduce the flour so that the muffins don’t get dry?
Hi Klara! I don’t recommend turning this recipe into chocolate muffins. Instead, you can make my chocolate muffins recipe.
Hi Sally. I’m thinking of making the chocolate chip streusel Muffins in paper baking cups without using a muffin tray.
Do you know if that would affect the baking temperatures?
Thanks!
Nope, not at all! Same oven temp and time.
Awesome! thanks!
Hi Sally, I was just curious of the outcome using the granulated vs. brown sugar. Also, could I use salted butter and omit the salt? Thanks!!
Brown sugar – a little more flavor and moisture!
If using salted butter, reduce to 1/4 teaspoon salt.
Do you ever freeze these muffins?
Yep! See make-ahead tip.
All of these look amazing! Now with fall in the air, I was hoping to make pumpkin muffins.. would I just do the master recipe and leave out the yogurt?
Thank you!!
Oops, meant to say- add the pumpkin and omit yogurt?
You can try, but I haven’t tested it before. How about making these pumpkin muffins instead?
Hi, I’ve made various versions of these muffins probably 5-6 times now, and they’re delicious! However, since the 3rd batch I made, the tops have been spreading instead of doming up nicely, any idea why that would be? I have started to double the recipe, but I’m sure the conversion is right, and I’m not missing ingredients. I’m at a loss since I’m not a very experienced Baker. My initial guess is too little flour since I started spooning and leveling.
Hi Sally, To make carrot muffins, what is the quantity of grated carrot to be added in the master muffin mix recipe.
Hi Benna! I suggest making my morning glory muffins. They are filled with 2 cups of shredded carrots. And you can add 1 more cup shredded carrot in place of the shredded apple. 🙂
I’ve made these twice now. The first time I made Chocolate Chip muffin with the crumb, it was amazingly delicious but did lack moisture (I could have easily overcooked these though). The 2nd time round I added 1 punnet of fresh strawberries(used paper towel to try and dry up their excess moisture) and used granulated sugar instead of brown, plus added fresh lemon juice to my milk for buttermilk and I have the most amazing moist and flavourful muffin. Thanks so much for your recipe, Sally! I love how versatile it is!
I left out the 1/4 cup of milk, as my batter was so soft and I didn’t want it to get runny. They are now cooling on the rack and look great. Let’s hope the results without the milk are ok.
I just finished the lemon poppyseed and blueberry strusle muffins and they are delicious!! The lemon ones didn’t rise like they should though. They are totally flat on top. I noticed the batter was not as thick as the blueberry were. More like a mousse. The only difference was the lemon juice. Maybe my lemons had to much juice? Still tasty though. The skinny double chocolate chip are in the oven now smelling amazing! Making these for teacher appreciation and I’m sure they will love them even flat haha
Hello Sally, thanks for always providing us with foolproof recipes. I just wanted to ask if we could use oil insead of butter?
Hi Sam! You certainly can, but the texture and flavor of the base muffin recipe would change.
Can you use zucchini for these muffins
this looks great Sally! I love the idea of creating my own flavours.
So what would be a good formula for creating your own? Something like;
1 1/2 to 1 3/4 cups filling of choice, fruits, nuts, chips etc.
1 teaspoon spice of choice
Is there a way I’ll know the batter I’ve made is tasty enough to be worth baking? If it tastes good as batter, it’ll taste good as the cake?
Random question, can you mix fresh and frozen fruit? I have fresh pineapple to use up, plus frozen strawberries in the freezer. Would combining them in one batter be okay? Or would they cook differently and not quite work out?
thanks for any help you can offer, I’m such a noob
Hey Amy! My recommendation is 1 and 1/2 – 2 cups total add-ins. The amount of spice is up to you, but 1 teaspoon would be great. You can taste the batter at your own discretion. It does, of course, have raw flour and egg in it. You can mix fresh and frozen fruit no problem. I do it all the time!
thanks so much Sally! I made strawberry and pineapple streusel muffins, and they were a big hit! Even though they had soggy bottoms, I think in future I’ll toss all fruit in flour whether fresh or frozen. Next on my list, your strawberry cheesecake muffins!
You should do a master chocolate muffin batter recipe for us to play with next ^.^ Thanks again!
Hi Sally -will this batter work for savoury muffins? Thinking of a bacon, cheese & corn combo 🙂
Hi Michelle! I can’t see why not. You can reduce the sugar.
Hi Sally
I love your recipes they are my go to for baking
Do you have a recipe for oatmeal Muffins?
Thanks
Yes! I love these blueberry oatmeal muffins: http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2018/06/04/blueberry-oatmeal-muffins/
Hi Sally! I’m having lots of fun with your muffin base. I’m wanting to play around more with fillings, would it be okay to place candy in the centre of the muffin? It wouldn’t explode or anything like that? I was thinking an apple muffin with a soft chewy caramel popped inside, banana muffin with a square of chocolate inside, things like that. Do you think it would work? Also dessert sauces you use on ice cream, could I squirt those in the centre?
Thanks for any insight you can offer! Amy x
Hi Amy! Thank you so much for the sweet comment and I love your idea of adding some sweetness to the muffin base. I’ve personally never tried adding candies to the center, but I don’t see it being a problem. They may sink down to the center though, so keep that in mind. You know what you could do? Add a spoonful of Nutella to the center like I do with these muffins: http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2013/05/05/nutella-stuffed-cinnamon-sugar-muffins/
Jam would also work too!
Oh I’ve already done the chocolate spread/jam fillings! And cheesecake. That’s why I’m hunting more ideas! Anyway I want to make your choc chip streusel next, but I love chocolate orange so I’d love to sneak some orange in there too! What do you think, 2 Tablespoons (30ml) orange juice and zest of 2 oranges just like in your orange and cranberry muffins? Plus some cute zest sprinkles on top! Would love to just add orange into your triple choc muffins but cacoa costs a bomb where I’m from! Thanks x
When baking mini-muffins do you follow the same tip of turning up the oven high and then taking it down to get the high dome?
Hi Janet! No, bake them the entire time at 350F.
These sound wonderful! Just what I was looking for! What I’m wondering is, what if I were to use lemon Greek yogurt in the lemon poppy seed muffins? Or another complementary flavor in place of the plain. I know I would reduce the sugar. Or should I just go for it? Lol
Hi Jenn! Using a flavored yogurt would be great! I don’t think there’s a need to reduce the sugar since it’s not a huge amount of yogurt. Let me know what you try!
Sally! I want to use this recipe to make a full fat version of your tropical muffins. But how do you implement mashed banana into it? Do I completely replace the 120g sour cream/yoghurt part with the banana? So replace 1/2 cup sour cream with 3/4 cup mashed banana? And I do that with any muffins I want banana in?
(btw I thought of a new stuffing…. custard! Apple/rhubarb/banana muffins with custard stuffing, oh yeah!)
Hi Amy! See #6 recipe suggestion below the recipe for how to incorporate banana into the muffins. 🙂