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.
There also so, so adaptable to any taste or occasion. Read on for nine of our best muffin recipe ideas that can work as light breakfasts, savory dish 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.
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.
Southwestern Corn Muffins
Need a break from sugar? These Southwestern Corn Muffins are the perfect savory side. They combine homemade-inspired flavor with store-bought convenience, spicing up a pre-made corn muffin mix with McCormick Chili Powder and chopped green chilies. As a result, they come together in just 25 minutes, which makes them ideal to pair with weeknight chili, soup or stew.
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.
Vanilla Rich Chocolate Chip Muffins
Of course, muffins can also go in a dessert-inspired direction, and these chocolate chip muffins are simple, sweet and delicious. This recipe makes a classic flavor even richer with McCormick All Natural Pure Vanilla Extract, which adds creaminess to each bite. Our recipe calls for semi-sweet chocolate chips, but you could dial the sweetness up or down with milk or dark chocolate, respectively.
Red Velvet Muffins
Want a muffin that doubles as dessert? These cake-inspired muffins are the ideal final course for any occasion. They’re intensely chocolatey, filled with dreamy cream cheese frosting and have a gorgeous red velvet hue, thanks to a few drops of McCormick Red Food Color. Make these for Valentine’s Day, holiday meals or as an alternative to traditional cake on birthdays.
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