Mary Reid's Blueberry Muffins

Making muffins

My muffins are not fancy. I use the recipe from "The Joy of Cooking," which is a basic muffin recipe with increased sugar and butter.

Here are some of my tips:

- I usually increase the sugar to 1/2 cup.

- I use white whole-wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour.

- I add a good heaping cup of blueberries.

- I use big muffin tins and fill them to the top, so I get about nine humongous muffins.

- I also sprinkle each muffin with raw sugar before baking or sift powdered sugar on them when they come out of the oven.

What's the harm in a little extra sugar when the muffin is made with whole-wheat flour and blueberries themselves are just about the healthiest thing on earth? Blueberries are full of antioxidants, and I feel like I should eat them every day.

Blueberry Muffins

Makes: 2 dozen 2-inch muffins

1-3/4 cup sifted all-purpose flour (see note)

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup of sugar (see note)

2 teaspoons double-acting baking powder

2 eggs

1/4 cup melted butter

3/4 cup milk

1 cup fresh blueberries or 1 cup well drained canned blueberries, lightly floured (see note)

Optional: 1 teaspoon grated orange or lemon rind

Optional: raw sugar or powdered sugar (see note)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

Sift together all-purpose flour, salt, sugar and baking powder

Beat eggs in a separate bowl then add melted butter, milk

Combine the liquid and flour ingredients with a few swift strokes. Fold blueberries and grated rind, if using, into the batter before the dry ingredients are completely moist.

Fill well-greased muffin pans two-thirds full and bake 20 to 25 minutes.

Notes I use white whole-wheat flour; I increase the sugar to 1/2 cup; I use a good heaping cup of blueberries; I sprinkle each muffin with raw sugar before I bake them or sift powdered sugar on them when they come out of the oven. I use big muffin tins and fill them to the top, so I get about 9 humongous muffins.

Source: Adapted by Mary Reid Barrow from "Joy of Cooking"

READER RECIPES TO COME....

Been blueberry picking? Have a recipe to share?  Email us your favorite blueberry recipe, and we'll add it here. Haven't been picking yet? Find a place to pick them