Best of All Strawberry Muffins

These Best of All Strawberry Muffins are not only easy, but the strawberries are used two ways.  Strawberry puree intensifies the cut strawberries that add a burst of sweet/tart flavor to the muffins.

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

Toppings for Best of All Strawberry Muffins

My favorite crumb topping is included along with either Swedish Pearl Sugar or sanding sugar. Both of these will provide some crunch.  Anyone of these toppings makes a great finish for these strawberry muffins.

The crumb topping is the same one used on the New York Style Crumbcake and it is my idea of the perfect coffeecake.  They are super easy to make as long as the mixture is not over beaten leading to a paste instead of crumbs.  

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.  

But 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.

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. 

Mixing the Batter

The easiest part of this recipe is that it comes from the whisk and a bowl category of mixing referred to as the muffin mix. Recipes using this method don't require a mixer.  Barring using the crumb finish, the Best of All Strawberry Muffins use a couple of bowls, measuring equipment, a whisk and a rubber spatula.  

These muffins are based on my Crumb Topped Orange and Date Muffins.  I used strawberry puree in place of the buttermilk to sharpen the flavor.   

It is advisable to use the red food coloring or the strawberries look an insipid pale bluish-red color.

Sizes of the Best of All Strawberry Muffins

Instructions include making these as Texas, standard and mini muffins.  This recipe also makes quite a few.  The excess can be frozen or the recipe can be halved.  If cutting in half, use 1 egg and 1 yolk.  The remainder of the ingredients will cut in half easily.

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