Moist Small Batch Lemon Blueberry Muffins

Small Batch Lemon Blueberry Muffins

It's no secret that I'm a huge proponent for small-batch baking recipes. They're perfect for those of us who live alone and lack self-control because there are fewer leftovers waiting for me to devour them all (lol); this was the inspiration behind my second cookbook, Simple Small-Batch Baking.

This moist small batch lemon blueberry muffin recipe yields 6 to 8 soft, tender muffins with a lovely lemon flavor. And you'll love the burst of flavor the blueberries add! I like to sprinkle some granulated sugar on top of the batter before baking but you could totally leave it off and finish them with a drizzle of sweet lemon glaze; the glaze from my small batch lemon poppy seed muffins would make the perfect amount.

Why You'll Love These Muffins

• Simplicity. This is an easy one-bowl recipe. And while you *can* use a mixer, it can be made with a whisk by hand!
• Flavor. They're perfectly bright and lemony. Not to mention the blueberries bursting in every bite!
• Texture. These muffins are insanely moist (thanks to the sour cream and oil).
• Yield. This scaled-down recipe makes just 6 to 8 muffins, but the recipe can easily be doubled!

Ingredients and Substitutions

For these lemon poppy seed muffins, you need some pretty basic pantry ingredients:

• Lemons– You'll need *at least* 1 lemon as this recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of lemon zest (and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice). If you want to ensure the bright lemon flavor shines through, feel free to use up to 3 additional tablespoons of lemon zest or add 1/4 teaspoon of lemon extract.
• Sugar– A little over 1/2 cup to sweeten our muffins ever so slightly.
• Egg– Just one large egg is needed!
• Canola Oil– I tested this recipe using butter; however, I found that oil allows the lemon flavor to shine through better and also keeps these muffins nice and moist. You can use any type of neutral oil really!
• Sour Cream– This keeps the muffins moist and tender. You can replace it with an equal amount of Greek yogurt.
• All-Purpose Flour– Just 1¼ cups is needed!
• Fine Sea Salt– The salt helps balance the sugar.
• Baking Soda + Baking Powder– Our leavening agents to help these muffins rise.
• Blueberries– These are lemon blueberry muffins after all... You can use either fresh or frozen here! If using frozen blueberries, do not let them thaw first; add them to the batter while still frozen.

How to Make Lemon Blueberry Muffins

Serving & Storage

Serving: These lemon blueberry muffins need about 15-20 minutes to cool down, otherwise, you'll burn your tongue. You can serve them warm or at room temperature.

Storage: Leftover muffins should be stored in an airtight container and can be kept at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can also freeze baked & cooled muffins for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator or at room temperature before enjoying. Warm up in the microwave if desired!

Tips for Making the Best Muffins

Here are a few tips for making the best muffins possible:

• Don’t overmix your batter. Overmixing causes the muffins to get tough and rubbery, which nobody wants. Mix until everything is *just* combined (a few flour streaks is okay, honestly).
• Use a spring-loaded scoop to fill the muffin tins. You'll need to fill each one with 4½-5 tablespoons of batter. Anything less will result in squat muffins.
• Bake muffins in a greased muffin tin or with paper liners to ensure your muffins come out of the pan in one piece.
• Don’t overbake your muffins. Bake them just until a tester inserted in the middle comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.

Recipe Troubleshooting & FAQ

How do I get MORE lemon flavor in these Lemon Blueberry Muffins?
If you have additional lemons lying around, you can add up to 3 additional tablespoons of lemon zest. You can also add 1/4 teaspoon of lemon extract and whisk it in with the rest of the wet ingredients to enhance the lemon flavor even more.

Can I double this recipe?
Yup, you can double the recipe and bake it in a standard 12-cup muffin pan; the bake time will be about the same! You can adjust the 'servings' slider from 6 to 12 to get the proper metric measurements.

How can you tell when the muffins are done baking?
A toothpick is your best friend when testing muffins for doneness. You’ll want to remove these lemon blueberry muffins from the oven when your toothpick can be inserted into the center and comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Make sure to let them cool for 10 minutes in the pan before removing them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Watch How to Make These Small Batch Lemon Blueberry Muffins:

@mikebakesnyc

These easy & moist small batch lemon blueberry muffins are my new go-to breakfast treat 😍 Recipe on the blog! #smallbatchbaking #lemonblueberrymuffins #muffinrecipes

♬ just like magic - Ariana Grande

Remember to tag me @mikebakesnyc on Instagram and leave a rating + review below if you make these Moist Small Batch Lemon Blueberry Muffins! Happy baking!