If you love all things strawberry and adore the classic flavor of shortcake, then you’re in for a treat with this Strawberry Shortcake Muffins Recipe. These muffins are moist, bursting with juicy strawberries, and have that delightful sugary crunch on top that takes them over the edge. Trust me, once you try them, you’ll be making them all summer long!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to Make: The batter comes together quickly without any complicated steps, perfect for busy days.
- Bursting with Fresh Strawberries: Each muffin is packed with juicy strawberry pieces that keep every bite refreshing.
- Perfect Texture: Moist and slightly dense with a crisp sugar topping that adds a wonderful crunch.
- Family Favorite: My kids beg for these muffins on weekend mornings, and I bet yours will too!
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients work together beautifully to create that classic shortcake flavor with a tender muffin crumb. Using cold butter and fresh strawberries makes all the difference—you’ll want to pick ripe, fragrant berries for that sweet punch.
- All purpose flour: This gives structure but keep it light by measuring carefully for tender muffins.
- Baking powder: Essential for that nice rise and fluffy texture.
- Salt: Just a pinch enhances the sweetness and balances flavors.
- Butter (cold): Using cold butter helps create the crumbly texture that I love in these muffins.
- Granulated white sugar: Both in the batter and sprinkled on top for that irresistible crisp.
- Heavy cream: Adds richness giving the muffins that moist, tender bite.
- Vanilla extract: A splash adds warmth and depth of flavor.
- Large egg: For binding and adding some lift.
- Strawberries (fresh, chopped): Fresh and ripe strawberries really make these special—you’ll taste the difference.
Variations
I love keeping this recipe as is because it reminds me of lazy summer mornings, but I’ve tweaked it a few times depending on what I have in the kitchen. Feel free to experiment and make it your own—you can’t go wrong!
- Gluten-Free Version: I swapped in a gluten-free all purpose blend and it worked great, just watch your baking time as it can vary slightly.
- Add a Pinch of Cinnamon: One time, I added a sprinkle of cinnamon for a warm twist and my family went crazy for it.
- Use Frozen Strawberries: If fresh aren’t available, frozen works fine—just thaw and drain excess moisture so muffins don’t get soggy.
- Lemon Zest: A teaspoon of lemon zest adds a bright zing that pairs beautifully with the strawberries.
How to Make Strawberry Shortcake Muffins Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Muffin Tin
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease your muffin tin well or line with paper cups so your muffins pop out easily. I always use liners for easier cleanup, plus it helps keep the muffins nice and moist.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients and Cut in Butter
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Then chop your cold butter into small pieces and add it in. Use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to quickly work the butter into the flour until it looks crumbly like coarse sand. This technique creates that tender, almost shortbread-like texture I absolutely love.
Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, egg, and vanilla extract. This simple combo adds moisture and flavor that’s key for rich muffins. You’ll want to mix it until smooth so it blends well with the dry ingredients.
Step 4: Bring It All Together
Pour your wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir gently until just combined; the batter will be lumpy and that’s exactly what you want. Overmixing leads to tougher muffins, so be careful here. Finally, fold in the chopped strawberries carefully so you don’t crush them.
Step 5: Fill Muffin Cups and Bake
Spoon the batter evenly into the muffin tin — this recipe makes 12 medium muffins. Sprinkle the remaining tablespoon of sugar on top of each muffin; it creates that magical crisp, sugary crust that your family will rave about. Bake for about 18 to 22 minutes or until the tops are golden and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Step 6: Cool and Enjoy
Take the muffins out of the oven and set them on a wire rack to cool for a bit. I like them slightly warm with a dab of butter. Honestly, they’re perfect any time — breakfast, snack, or dessert.
Pro Tips for Making Strawberry Shortcake Muffins Recipe
- Use Cold Butter: I learned this the hard way; cold butter creates a crumbly texture, while melted butter results in cakier muffins.
- Don’t Overmix: Overworking the batter makes muffins tough. Mix just until combined and you’re golden.
- Fresh Strawberries are Key: They hold their shape better and keep the muffins juicy without turning mushy.
- Sugar Sprinkle Magic: That final sugar on top gives a crisp contrast to the soft muffin inside — don’t skip it!
How to Serve Strawberry Shortcake Muffins Recipe
Garnishes
I like to top mine with a light dusting of powdered sugar or a dollop of whipped cream for a special treat. Sometimes, fresh strawberry slices add a fresh, pretty touch that’s perfect for brunch or dessert.
Side Dishes
These muffins pair wonderfully with a simple bowl of vanilla yogurt or a fresh fruit salad. For a brunch spread, I often serve them alongside scrambled eggs and crispy bacon for a delightful balance.
Creative Ways to Present
For birthdays or special occasions, I’ve arranged these muffins on a tiered stand surrounded by fresh strawberries and edible flowers — it’s a crowd-pleaser every time and makes your table look stunning with minimal effort.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, I place leftover muffins in an airtight container at room temperature and they stay fresh for about 2 days. If you want them a bit softer, a quick wrap in a clean kitchen towel helps preserve moisture.
Freezing
I’ve found freezing these muffins is a lifesaver. Just wrap each muffin individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag. They freeze beautifully and thaw in about an hour at room temperature or a few minutes in the microwave.
Reheating
To reheat, pop the muffin in the microwave for 15–20 seconds or warm them in a toaster oven for a few minutes — the sugar topping crisps back up nicely, making them taste freshly baked.
FAQs
-
Can I use frozen strawberries for the Strawberry Shortcake Muffins Recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen strawberries, but make sure to thaw and drain them well before folding into the batter to prevent excess moisture, which can make the muffins soggy.
-
Why should the butter be cold for this recipe?
Cold butter creates small bits of fat in the muffin batter that bake into pockets, giving the muffins a tender, crumbly texture similar to shortcake. Melted butter would make the muffins denser and less crumbly.
-
Can I make these muffins dairy-free?
Absolutely! Substitute the heavy cream with coconut cream or a full-fat dairy-free milk alternative, and try a plant-based butter substitute to keep that great texture.
-
How long do Strawberry Shortcake Muffins stay fresh?
Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these muffins stay fresh for about 2 days. For longer storage, freezing is your best bet.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely love how these Strawberry Shortcake Muffins Recipe feels like a warm hug on a plate. They remind me of summers spent baking with my family, the kitchen filled with laughter and the smell of strawberries baking. I’m confident you’ll enjoy making and sharing this recipe just as much as we do—plus, it’s so simple, you can whip up a batch whenever strawberry season calls your name. Give it a go and get ready for some serious muffin love!
Print
Strawberry Shortcake Muffins Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 Muffins
- Category: Dessert, Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in these moist and dense Strawberry Shortcake Muffins, bursting with juicy sweet strawberries and topped with a sprinkling of sugar that creates a crisp, golden top. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet snack during strawberry season.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup granulated white sugar
- 1 tablespoon granulated white sugar (for topping)
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter (cold, cut into small pieces)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
Fruit
- 1 cup strawberries (chopped into 1 inch pieces)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Muffin Tin: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius). Grease a 12-cup muffin tin or line it with paper liners to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt to ensure even distribution of leavening agents and flavor.
- Incorporate Butter: Add the cold butter cut into small pieces to the dry ingredients. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, blend the butter into the flour mixture until it reaches a crumbly texture resembling coarse crumbs.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined.
- Form the Batter: Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and gently stir until the batter just comes together. The mixture will be lumpy, which is normal for tender muffins.
- Fold in Strawberries: Carefully fold in the chopped strawberries to evenly distribute them throughout the batter without breaking them down too much.
- Fill Muffin Cups and Add Topping Sugar: Spoon the batter evenly into the prepared muffin cups. Sprinkle the remaining tablespoon of granulated sugar over the tops of the muffins to create a sweet, crunchy topping during baking.
- Bake the Muffins: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 18 to 22 minutes. The muffins are done when they turn golden on top and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the muffins from the oven and allow them to cool in the tin briefly, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely or serve warm.
Notes
- Strawberry season is the perfect opportunity to make these muffins, as fresh strawberries greatly enhance their flavor and moisture.
- The cold butter helps create a crumbly texture for a tender crumb in your muffins.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the muffins light and fluffy.
- The sugar sprinkled on top adds a delightful crispness after baking.
- These muffins can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerated for 4-5 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 muffin
- Calories: 247 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 240 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 58 mg