Blueberries are in season right now and they are used in quite a few recipes. However, the one we’re celebrating today is the blueberry muffin. The official muffin of the state of Minnesota, the blueberry muffin is not only tasty, but it also provides some health benefits, too. The blueberry is rich in vitamins and antioxidants, and the muffin itself is low in calories. If you live in the state of Minnesota, we hope this recipe will make you proud… [photo via flickr]
Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- ¾ c sugar
- ½ c applesauce
- ½ c milk
- 6 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 ½ cups flour (can use half cake flour)
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 ½ cups blueberries, fresh or frozen
Directions
- Set the oven to 375 degrees.
- Wash the blueberries and set aside to dry. When the blueberries are dry, roll them in sugar (confectioner’s sugar works best)
- Grease a large 12-muffin tray or line it with foil liners.
- Using an electric mixer beat the eggs until frothy.
- Gradually add the sugar and maple syrup and continue to beat for one minute. Stir in the applesauce, milk and vanilla.
- Mix the dry ingredients. Add the flour, baking powder, salt and stir batter only until the ingredients are incorporated. Do not over mix. Batter should remain slightly lumpy.
- Divide the batter in half. Gently fold the blueberries into one-half of the batter. Spoon the batter without the blueberries into the bottom third of each muffin cup. Top off with one third of batter containing blueberries. (One third off the cup remains empty for rising).Continue until all batter is used.
- Bake in preheated oven for 20 – 25 minutes or until golden and the center springs back when gently pressed.
- Brush tops of each muffin with melted butter and sprinkle with coarse granulated sugar.
- Remove the muffins from the oven and set on a wire cooling rack for 10 -20 minutes.
To give your muffins a nutty flavor and a little more texture, feel free to mix in some pecans or walnuts. If you have problems with the blueberries sinking to the bottom of your muffins, try adding them on top of the batter after it has been poured into the muffin tin. Enjoy your homemade muffins for breakfast or for a quick and satisfying mid-day snack.
