Strawberry Muffins

These light and fluffy Strawberry Muffins are so easy to whip up and great for a breakfast treat, lunch box or food on the go. A hint of cinnamon, jam packed full of juicy strawberries with a crunchy, sugary top, seriously, what’s not to like?

These Strawberry Muffins are the prettiest things and just great for bringing a bit of summer to your lunchbox or picnic blanket. I like to throw in a little cinnamon and then sprinkle a pinch of  granulated sugar on top for added golden crunch.

This scorchio summer holiday I have given the kids them for breakfast…lazy Sue here. They then sit in obligatory tupperware for snacks or any situation that requires food on the go. They really do just keep on giving. A work horse of a muffin and isn’t that half  the point?

But first…….feel free to scroll past to the recipe below if you’re feeling hungry….

I was only two days into the summer holidays with my children when I ceased general talking and commenced general shouting. Without it I am unable to control them on any level. I didn’t notice it happening and I only realised how hard I was having to work when my throat began to hurt and people were staring at us in public.

Looking back, I think I lost control at the very first breakfast of the holidays. It all started with the declaration of the summer holidays electronic rationing rules. It didn’t go down well, I think they feel all outraged and hard done by.

It was a necessary intervention otherwise my two would emerge from the house in ten years time twenty stones heavier, extremely pale, shading their eyes and blinking hard into the sunshine.

The thing is that if I don’t shout then they simply don’t hear me. They are too busy talking rubbish, asking questions, singing, asking for food, asking for sweets, asking for ice cream, asking for money, arguing, asking to go to Alton Towers (what is it with damn Alton Towers?) or just constantly moaning that the other one has more.

They talk over the top of me continuously. Is this modern day family life? Should I go in hard and super discipline or should I roll with it, eat all the muffins and wait for them to leave home?

Until then I’m thinking holiday clubs preferably the boot camp kind……At least I can pretend my life is all glorious Enid Blyton family days out this summer holiday with these Strawberry Muffins. They look so good on a picnic blanket no one would guess I haven’t got a clue what I’m doing…..

Strawberry Muffins

These pink beauties are so quick and simple to mix together and great to get the kids involved in baking. Just their title alone sounds full of sunshine and dandelions alone.

The ease with which you can bring these to the plate or blanket is ideal for busy times when you want something home baked but can’t think straight. They are pretty much fool proof and full of strawberries….life can’t be that bad with a batch of these cooling and filling your kitchen with all kinds of summer loving.

I am not a great fan of using yoghurt and bicarbonate of soda in muffins. I don’t like the open texture they give. So I prefer to use milk instead and drop the bicarb.

But you could use yoghurt in the same amount if that’s what you have. Add 1/2 tsp of bicarbonate of soda too.

This is a very easy muffin recipe. The most technical bit is chopping the strawberries into small chunks.

It is also a very forgiving recipe and virtually fool proof.

The ingredients are store cupboard stuff apart from the strawberries.

You merely put all the dry ingredients into a large mixing bowl and mix them together with a spatula or wooden spoon.

In a jug measure out all the liquid ingredients. A Pyrex measuring jug is great for this. I start with the milk and then add the rest before using a tbsp measure for the oil.

Whisk the wet ingredients together and empty into the mixing bowl.

Mix until only just combined, literally, then add the chopped strawberries and fold gently through.

I do add 1 tbsp of plain flour to the chopped strawberries to stop them falling through the batter to the bottom when baking.

I do this in a separate bowl before I add them to the main batter.

 

I use a large serving spoon to put the batter into a paper case lined muffin tray.

I fill roughly them roughly up to 1 cm below the top of the case but don’t sweat it.

I sprinkle a little sugar on the top of each one for a lovely crunchy top and then bake them for about 20/25 minutes or until they are golden brown and firm to the careful touch.

Tips For Baking Strawberry Muffins

• Use an oven thermometer to keep an eye on your oven temperature. It is THE biggest factor in troubleshooting baking problems. I could not believe how much my oven temperature in reality differed to the temperature on it’s own dial.
• Get all the ingredients to room temperature apart from the milk.
• Only mix as much as you absolutely have to. Muffins can become tough if over mixed only a little.
• Add more cinnamon if you are a cinnamon fan. It is only a hint here.
• If you have any crumble topping in your freezer then sprinkle some on the top of the muffins before they go in the oven for an even more incredible top to these muffins.
• Exchange the strawberries with other fruit to suit you. Blueberries would be good as would raspberries and peaches.

How To Store

I store these under my cake dome or in tupperware with a tight fitting lid. They are at their best within 48 hours of baking.

You can freeze for up to 3 months by cooling and wrapping in a double layer of clingfilm and then another double layer of silver foil. Don’t forget to label them.

Thaw at room temperature for a couple of hours still wrapped.

Equipment Required

• Oven Thermometer (optional)
• Large Mixing Bowl
• Measuring Jug
• Tbsp measure
• Tsp measure
• Wire Rack
• 12 Hole Muffin Tray
• 12 Paper Cases
• Wooden Spoon/Spatula
• Large Spoon

Check out these other easy baking treats.

Spiced Apple Muffins

Strawberry Shortcake

Easy Shortbread Cookies

Easy Savoury Muffins

 

Please let me know how you got on baking these Strawberry Muffins. I love to hear from you.

I have linked this post with Cook, Blog, Share over at Peachick’s Bakery

Baking Crumbs hosted by Jo’s Kitchen Larder and myself! Do pop over and have a look at the fantastic round up of recipes from fellow bloggers.

Fiesta Friday with  Mollie @ Frugal Hausfrau and Laurena @ Life Diet Health