Best of All Strawberry Muffins

These Best of All Strawberry Muffins are not only easy, but the fresh strawberries are used two ways.  Strawberry puree is added to the batter to intensify the flavor and the cut strawberries are used for a burst of sweet/tart flavor. This recipe from my bowl and a whisk collection. No mixers are used so this is super easy and a great recipe to make with children.

A full pound of this summertime fruit is used so be sure to pick the ripest, most full of flavor strawberries you can find.  

The crumbs are based on the NY Style Crumb Cake which I always made in the mixer. However, I found a quicker, easier way using the processor.

If you're looking for a simple to make summer pie go to the (Almost) No Bake Strawberry Pie. Other muffins you may enjoy are the Blueberry Crumb Muffins with their Brown Sugar Almond Crumb, A Perfectly Easy Basic Muffin Mix and the iresitible, Easy PBJ Muffins.

Jump to:

• Recipe Ingredients
• Toppings for the Strawberry Muffins
• Why Use Cake Flour
• Step by Step Instructions
• FAQS
• Expert Tips
• More Quick Muffins and Breads
• Best of All Strawberry Muffins

Recipe Ingredients

Crumb Topping

FRONT ROW: Salt, granulated sugar

MIDDLE ROW: Unsalted Butter

BACK ROW: Cake Flour and brown sugar

Strawberry Muffins

FRONT ROW: Almond extract, baking powder, vanilla extract, salt and red food coloring

MIDDLE ROW: Unsalted butter, granulated sugar, eggs

BACK ROW: Pureed strawberries, cake flour, fresh cut strawberries

Toppings for the Strawberry Muffins

The Crumb Topping is based on the NY Style Crumb Cake which I always made in the mixer. However, I found a quicker, easier way using the processor.

Swedish pearl sugar is made by compressing sugar crystals to form larger, round, particles that won't dissolve in baked goods.  It's a wonderful topping for all kinds of pastries and baked items.  These pure white, crunchy sugar crystals don’t melt in the oven.  But It shouldn’t be confused with Belgian Pearl Sugar which has quite large white crystals and is used in Liege waffles.  Both of these can be easily found online.

Sanding sugar is made by drying out sugar syrup, then screening the granules that are left behind.  Sanding sugar can be found uncolored which adds sparkle and crunch to baked goods or it is can be found in a wide array of colors.  

For much more information on sugar see my post Sugar- The Sweetest Part of Baking.

Why Use Cake Flour

Cake flour has the lowest protein count of all the white baking flours providing a softer texture to the finished item.  It is the protein in flour that gives it its strength. Bread flour has a much larger protein count and is most often used with yeast.  All- purpose  is in the middle. There's more information about flour in my post Flour as Used in Baking.

I specify cake flour when I want to ensure a soft outcome to cake layers, biscuits, scones, or muffins.  Lacking cake flour, all-purpose flour can be substituted. 

Be sure to see the recipe card below for the exact ingredients and instructions.

Step by Step Instructions

Crumb Topping

Step 1. Place the dry ingredients in the processor bowl. Step 2. Process until mixed. Step 3. Add the cut up butter to the processor. Step 4. Process with pulses to form the crumbs. Do not over process or you will make a paste. Empty into a bowl and store in the refrigerator until needed. These may be made ahead if desi

Strawberry Muffins

Step 1. Place the dry ingredients in bowl. Step 2. Whisk together. Step 3. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs. Add the melted butter, strawberry puree, almond and vanilla extracts. Step 4. Whisk together until completely combined.

Step 5. Add the food coloring if using. Start sparingly, you can always add more. Step 6. Whisk together to distribute the color. Step 7. Pour the liquid ingredients over the dry ingredients. Step 8. With a rubber spatula, gently fold the ingredients together, adding the cut up strawberries at the end.

Step 9. The crumbs and strawberry muffin batter. Step 10. Fill the muffin tin about halfway. Step 11. Cover with the crumbs. Step 12. If using the sanding sugar (top left) or the Swedish pearl sugar, fill the cups about ¾ full and sprinkle heavily with either sugar.

FAQS

Expert Tips

• Make sure the butter is very cold or even partially frozen when making the crumbs in a food processor. If using the mixer, the butter should be softened to cream well. In either case, do not over mix or process or the mixture will become a paste. If that should happen, add a bit more flour and mix or process briefly.
• Once you add the liquid ingredients to the dry ones, switch to a rubber spatula and mix the two together with a folding action. Do not mix vigorously. Fold in the fresh strawberry pieces.
• If using one of the sugars on top of the muffins, the yield will be less because the pans are filled with more batter.
• I like to spray the pans with a non-stick baking spray instead of using paper lines. They come out prettier and more intact.

More Quick Muffins and Breads

If you love these Strawberry Muffins, It would be hugely helpful and so appreciated it if you would take a moment to leave a rating below. Thank you.