Make magical muffins with these 8 easy muffin recipes

Is there anything cozier than a rack full of muffins cooling on the countertop? Thanks to their simple active prep and relatively fast cooking time, muffins are the ideal easy baking project — and they’re a go-to when you need to get baking done quickly. They're also so, so adaptable to any taste or occasion.

But before we share some recipes, take a look at these two key techniques that produce muffin miracles, no matter what type you’re baking.

Mastering Muffin Mixing for Perfect Tenderness Every Time

Part of the appeal of baking muffins is their ease — mix everything together, spoon the batter into your muffin liners or a greased tin, and bake.

However, you’ll be so much more pleased with the fluffy outcome if you follow the “Basic Muffin Method.” This entails separating the wet and dry ingredients into different bowls and then combining them.

Here’s the scoop: First you’ll whisk your flour, baking powder, salt, etc. in the larger of your two bowls. Next, blend your wet ingredients, like eggs, milk, vanilla, etc. in a separate bowl. Finally you’ll pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently stir until just combined. Yes, you’ll have an extra bowl to clean, but it’s worth it.

One more all-purpose tip? Nix the all-purpose flour and try cake flour as its finer ground yields a lighter texture.

The Irresistible Crumb Topping You Didn’t Know Your Muffins Were Missing

Many muffin aficionados go for the streusel—and there’s “muffin” wrong with that. But others say muffin else compares to its cousin, the crumb topping, which can be used on virtually any sweet muffin. Here’s a simple formula that will top off your creations with a sweet, buttery crunch:

•  1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 10 tablespoons (5 ounces) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• 1 3/4 cups cake flour
• Mix your ingredients until just combined. (Overmixing makes the crumbs too small.) Then, spoon this buttery, sugary perfection onto the top of each muffin, pressing lightly into the batter so the crumbs won’t fall off as your muffin.

Ready to be whisked away with some crave-worthy concoctions?

Read on for eight of our best muffin recipe ideas that can work as light breakfasts, savory dishes, decadent desserts and everything in between. 

Blueberry Muffins

Light, moist and studded with juicy blueberries, these muffins work for just about any occasion. They’re sweet enough to satisfy a sweet tooth but light enough to serve for breakfast — the perfect middle ground. Our recipe gets a little something extra from grated orange peel, which adds a citrusy brightness that plays perfectly off the berries.

Easy Banana Nut Muffins

Need to use up overripe bananas? Why not whip up some delicious muffins! This cozy recipe doubles up on the banana, using ripe bananas along with McCormick Banana Extract With Other Natural Flavors for an extra burst of flavor. Make it your own by switching up the mix-ins, like using chocolate chips or cacao nibs in place of walnuts.

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

The best part of fall is pumpkin spice everything, and it’s easy to make cafe-inspired pumpkin cream cheese muffins at home. This recipe starts from a base of yellow cake mix, helping reduce your active prep time, but adds homemade flavor with pumpkin, McCormick Pumpkin Pie Spice and — of course — vanilla cream cheese. Serve these with homemade Pumpkin Spice Lattes for a double dose of seasonal flavor.

Maple Streusel Muffins

Crunchy, buttery streusel makes everything more delicious, and they take these maple muffins from tasty to irresistible. This recipe is also a budget-friendly take on maple, because it gets its flavor from McCormick Maple Extract With Other Natural Flavors, rather than expensive maple syrup. Make these muffins throughout the cooler months, or anytime you want a sweet treat.

Overnight Lemon Blueberry Muffin Casserole

Transform your morning routine with a casserole that feels like a muffin and a dessert. This easy, make-ahead casserole combines fluffy, muffin-like French bread soaked in sweet custard, a tangy swirl of cream cheese, fresh blueberries, and a zesty hit of pure lemon extract. Top it all off with a buttery cinnamon streusel, then simply bake in the morning for a breakfast masterpiece.

Apple Cinnamon Muffin in a Mug

Don’t have time to bake? Make a muffin in a mug to satisfy your craving in just 5 minutes. (Yes, you read that right!) Apple juice and McCormick Cinnamon Sugar combine with baking staples — flour, butter, sugar and baking powder — for a single-serving treat that cooks in just 90 seconds. Sprinkle a little extra cinnamon sugar on top as an instant alternative to “streusel,” and you’ve got a tasty snack.

Stuffing Muffins

Dreaming of holiday dinner? Get all the flavors you love with these stuffing-inspired muffins. With cranberries, sausage, granny smith apples, sage, celery and onion, they pack all the flavors of your fave stuffing into a convenient, portable muffin. Enjoy these on their own as a snack, or topped with gravy or cranberry sauce as a side dish.

Lemon Blueberry Muffins

Bright, tender, and bursting with flavor—these Lemon Blueberry Muffins are your new morning star! With the perfect harmony of tangy lemon extract and juicy fresh blueberries, each bite offers a delightful splash of sunshine.

Love These Muffin Recipes? Here Are More Easy Breakfast Recipes To Try!

• Fluffy Pancakes

• Egg Bites

• Baked Oats

• Eggs Benedict Recipe