This recipe for Blueberry Crunch Muffins was sponsored by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions expressed are my own.

Indulge in Ultimate Bakery-Style Blueberry Crunch Muffins: A Cereal-Inspired Twist!

There’s an undeniable charm to a freshly baked muffin, especially one that combines the comforting essence of a home-cooked treat with the irresistible allure of your favorite coffee shop indulgence. Today, we’re sharing a recipe that elevates the beloved blueberry muffin to an extraordinary level: our special Cracklin’ Oat Bran Blueberry Crunch Muffins. This isn’t just another muffin; it’s a delightful fusion of textures and flavors, featuring plump, juicy blueberries, a beautifully tender crumb, and an unforgettable crunch derived from a surprisingly simple ingredient.

The Secret to Superior Texture: Unleashing Cereal’s Potential in Baking

Confession: Cereal has always been my breakfast champion, often enjoyed in its purest form – dry! While some might raise an eyebrow, I’ve always savored the robust texture and distinct taste of hearty, granola-style cereals like Kellogg’s Cracklin’ Oat Bran. It’s a versatile staple, whether I’m enjoying it in a bowl with a handful of fresh berries, crumbled over creamy yogurt with a drizzle of honey, or simply by the handful for a satisfying snack. The delightful crunch and rich, toasted flavor are simply unmatched.

However, the true magic of cereal extends far beyond the breakfast bowl. It’s an often-underrated secret weapon in the world of baked goods! Incorporating cereal into your baking is an innovative and effortless way to introduce a wonderful depth of flavor, a welcome boost of fiber and nutrients, and, most critically, an incredible texture that transforms ordinary recipes into something truly special. In this particular blueberry muffin recipe, Kellogg’s Cracklin’ Oat Bran doesn’t just make an appearance; it takes center stage, turning a classic into an absolute masterpiece.

Crafting the Perfect Muffin: A Symphony of Flavor and Texture

Envision a large, golden-brown muffin, still warm from the oven, with a perfectly domed top. These aren’t just any homemade muffins; they are meticulously crafted to emulate the grandeur and deliciousness of those substantial, fruit-filled muffins you adore from artisanal bakeries. Each bite of our Cracklin’ Oat Bran Blueberry Crunch Muffins offers a delightful burst of sweet, sun-ripened blueberries, evenly dispersed throughout a wonderfully moist, buttermilk-enriched batter. The real ingenuity, however, lies in the dual application of crushed Cracklin’ Oat Bran cereal.

This ingenious ingredient is carefully folded into both the smooth, flavorful buttermilk batter and generously sprinkled over the irresistibly crunchy streusel topping. This thoughtful double-dose ensures a robust, yet balanced texture throughout the muffin’s interior, providing a fantastic counterpoint to the soft, juicy berries. The streusel itself is a marvel – a buttery, crumbly mixture of flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and, of course, more crushed cereal. It delivers an unparalleled, golden crunch on top, evoking the comforting nostalgia of a freshly baked oatmeal cookie. To crown this culinary creation, a delicate drizzle of sweet honey glaze provides the perfect finishing touch, harmonizing the cereal’s warm, toasted oat, coconut, and cinnamon notes with the vibrant sweetness of the blueberries.

From the moment the inviting aroma permeates your kitchen to the very last delectable crumb, these muffins are designed to captivate your senses. We are confident that after just one bite, these Blueberry Crunch Muffins will become a cherished new tradition for your family breakfasts and special gatherings.

Mastering Bakery-Style Muffins at Home: Indispensable Baking Tips

The quest to replicate those glorious, towering muffins from your favorite coffee shop or bakery might seem like a formidable challenge, but achieving them in your own kitchen is surprisingly straightforward with a few insider tips and techniques. My extensive journey to perfect the art of baking large, buttery muffins with an abundance of fruit and an exquisitely tender crumb led me to these essential discoveries. Here are my top four professional tips for baking exceptional blueberry muffins, every single time:

1. Prevent Blueberries from Sinking: The Flour Toss Technique. Have you ever cut into a muffin only to find all the fruit stubbornly clustered at the bottom? This common baking woe is easily remedied. To ensure your fresh blueberries are beautifully and evenly distributed throughout the batter, gently toss them with just one tablespoon of all-purpose flour before you fold them into the mixture. This light coating creates a subtle barrier, preventing the berries from sinking to the bottom of the muffin tins during baking and guaranteeing a burst of fruit in every single bite.

2. Embrace Imperfection for Tenderness: Avoid Over-Mixing. The cardinal rule for achieving a light, airy, and wonderfully tender muffin crumb is gentle mixing. It’s crucial to resist the temptation to beat your batter until it’s perfectly smooth and uniform. In fact, seeing a few small streaks of flour still visible in the batter is not only acceptable but actually indicates you’re on the right track! Over-mixing overdevelops the gluten in the flour, which leads to a tough, dense, and unappetizingly rubbery muffin texture. Mix only until the wet and dry ingredients are barely combined for optimal results.

3. Fill Tins Generously for Magnificent Crowned Tops. That iconic, generously domed top is a hallmark of a truly bakery-style muffin. To achieve this impressive visual appeal and satisfying rise, don’t be shy when filling your muffin wells. Whether you’re utilizing standard 12-well muffin tins or larger 6-well jumbo tins (this recipe offers instructions for both, and I personally opt for jumbo tins for maximum impact!), fill each well almost completely to the very top with batter. This generous fill provides ample batter for the muffins to expand upwards, creating those coveted, gloriously crowned tops.

4. Know When to Stop: The Art of Not Over-Baking. Over-baking is the arch-nemesis of a perfectly moist muffin. For the most succulent and tender texture, it’s vital to remove your muffins from the oven as soon as the tops turn a beautiful golden brown and a simple tester (such as a wooden toothpick or a thin skewer) inserted into the very center of a muffin emerges with only a few moist crumbs clinging to it. A tester that comes out completely clean often signifies that the muffins have baked for too long and are beginning to dry out. Aim for that slight hint of moisture for perfection.

A Joyful Family Affair: Creating Delicious Memories Together

Beyond their simply delightful taste, these Cracklin’ Oat Bran Blueberry Crunch Muffins offer a truly wonderful opportunity for family connection and shared activity in the kitchen. They are remarkably straightforward to prepare, making them an ideal baking project to involve everyone, from the youngest aspiring chef to the most seasoned home baker. With just a touch of adult supervision, children can eagerly participate in several fun tasks: they can help crush the cereal with a rolling pin (a surprisingly fun and therapeutic job!), gently stir the batter, and carefully spoon the mixture into the muffin tins. There’s no need for complex kitchen gadgets or electric mixers; a simple whisk and a wooden spoon are all the tools you’ll require, ensuring the process remains approachable and enjoyable for all skill levels.

And let’s not overlook the enchanting sensory experience! The absolutely heavenly aroma that gracefully drifts through your home as these muffins bake is nothing short of irresistible. It serves as a guaranteed, aromatic alarm clock, perfectly designed to coax even the most reluctant sleepers – be they family members or cherished house guests – out of bed and into the kitchen, drawn by the promise of a warm, freshly baked delight. These muffins are much more than just a delicious treat; they are a cherished catalyst for creating lasting breakfast memories and heartwarming moments that will be treasured for years to come.

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★★★★☆ 4.50 from 2 votes

Cracklin’ Oat Bran Blueberry Crunch Muffins

by
Amanda Biddle

Bursting with fresh blueberries and boasting an irresistible crunch, these large, bakery-style muffins feature Kellogg’s Cracklin’ Oat Bran cereal stirred into both the buttermilk batter and the buttery streusel topping for an elevated breakfast or snack experience.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 12 standard or 6 jumbo muffins

Ingredients

STREUSEL CRUNCH TOPPING

• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• pinch kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3 tablespoons lightly-packed light or dark brown sugar
• ½ cup crushed Cracklin’ Oat Bran cereal
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

MUFFINS

• 1-1/2 cups blueberries
• 2-1/2 cups plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, divided
• 2-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
• ¼ cup vegetable or canola oil
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ½ cup crushed Cracklin’ Oat Bran Cereal

GLAZE

• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon milk

Instructions

MAKE THE STREUSEL

1. In a small bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, kosher salt, ground cinnamon, brown sugar, and crushed Cracklin’ Oat Bran cereal. Add the melted butter and stir thoroughly until the mixture is well combined and forms a crumbly texture. Set this prepared streusel topping aside for later use.

MAKE THE MUFFINS

1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Position an oven rack in the lower-middle part of your oven. Prepare your muffin tin by either greasing the cups of a standard 12-well tin or a jumbo 6-well tin, or by lining them with paper muffin liners.
2. In a separate small bowl, gently toss the fresh blueberries with 1 tablespoon of all-purpose flour. This crucial step helps to prevent the blueberries from sinking to the bottom of the muffins during baking. Set the floured blueberries aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together the remaining 2-1/2 cups of all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and kosher salt until well combined. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, large eggs, melted and slightly cooled unsalted butter, vegetable or canola oil, buttermilk, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and thoroughly combined. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring just until they are almost combined. It’s important not to over-mix; a few visible streaks of flour are perfectly acceptable and even desirable for a tender crumb. Finally, gently fold in the floured blueberries and the ½ cup of crushed Cracklin’ Oat Bran cereal.
3. Divide the muffin batter evenly among the prepared muffin wells. For those beautiful, high-domed, bakery-style tops, make sure to fill each well almost completely to the very top. Generously sprinkle the prepared streusel topping over the batter in each muffin cup, pressing down very gently to help it adhere to the surface.
4. Bake the muffins until their tops are golden brown and a clean tester (like a toothpick) inserted into the center of a muffin comes out with only a few moist crumbs attached. For standard muffins, this typically takes 20-25 minutes. For jumbo muffins, expect a baking time of approximately 30 minutes. Once baked, allow the muffins to cool in the pan for about 15 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

MAKE THE GLAZE

1. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, honey, and milk until the mixture is smooth and free of lumps. Once the muffins have cooled completely, drizzle the prepared glaze generously over the tops and serve your delicious creations.

Notes

Tip for Crushing Cereal: To achieve the perfectly crushed Cracklin’ Oat Bran cereal for this recipe, you have a couple of easy options. You can quickly pulse the cereal in a food processor until it reaches your desired consistency (not too fine, a slight texture is great for the crunch!). Alternatively, for a more hands-on approach, place the cereal in a sturdy plastic food storage bag and crush it evenly with a rolling pin. This ensures a consistent texture that integrates beautifully into both the muffin batter and the streusel.

Nutrition Estimate

Calories: 376kcal
Carbohydrates: 58g
Protein: 5g
Fat: 13g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Cholesterol: 44mg
Sodium: 181mg
Potassium: 173mg
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 31g
Vitamin A: 260IU
Vitamin C: 1.8mg
Calcium: 68mg
Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation only.

About Our Recipes

Please note that our recipes have been developed using the US Customary measurement system and have not been tested for high altitude/elevation cooking and baking.

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