Baking Up Sunshine: A Guide to Heavenly Strawberry Muffins

Few things are more delightful than a warm, fluffy muffin bursting with juicy strawberries. These little pockets of joy are perfect for breakfast, a midday snack, or even dessert. And the best part? They’re surprisingly easy to bake!

So, preheat your oven and gather your ingredients, because we’re about to embark on a delicious journey.

Ingredients:

• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ⅓ cup vegetable oil
• 1 large egg
• ¾ cup milk (you can use buttermilk for an extra tangy flavor)
• 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 ¾ cups fresh strawberries, chopped

Optional toppings:

• Turbinado sugar
• Streusel topping
• Glaze

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a muffin tin with paper liners.
2. Whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients: vegetable oil, egg, milk, sugar, and vanilla extract.
4. Make a well in the dry ingredients and pour in the wet ingredients. Gently fold everything together until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, or your muffins will be tough.
5. Gently fold in the chopped strawberries. Reserve a few extra for topping if you like.
6. Divide the batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups. Fill them almost to the top.
7. Sprinkle your muffins with your desired toppings, such as turbinado sugar, streusel, or a simple glaze.
8. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
9. Let the muffins cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips and tricks:

• For extra-juicy muffins, toss the chopped strawberries with a tablespoon of sugar before adding them to the batter.
• If your strawberries are frozen, thaw them and drain any excess liquid before using them.
• Don’t be afraid to experiment with different flavors! Add in some lemon zest, orange extract, or even a handful of chopped nuts.
• These muffins freeze well, so bake a double batch and enjoy them all week long!

Bonus recipe:

For a touch of elegance, try these muffins with a streusel topping:

• In a small bowl, combine ½ cup all-purpose flour, ¼ cup brown sugar, ¼ cup rolled oats, ¼ teaspoon cinnamon, and a pinch of salt.
• Cut in 3 tablespoons cold butter with a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
• Sprinkle the streusel over the muffin batter before baking.

Now you have two delectable options to satisfy your sweet tooth! Get baking, and remember, the kitchen is your playground!

Enjoy your delicious homemade strawberry muffins! Remember, baking is a fun and rewarding activity, so relax, have fun, and create your own muffin masterpieces!