Strawberry Shortcake Muffins
Strawberry shortcake muffins are a delightful twist on the classic strawberry shortcake, offering convenience and portability without compromising on flavor. All we need is a large bowl and less than 30 minutes to whip up the most delicious strawberry treat!
It's strawberry season and these muffins are the best way to highlight the delicious fruit. If you are looking for a delightful breakfast option or a scrumptious dessert, these strawberry shortcake muffins are a wonderful choice that will leave you craving more.
Table of contents
My boys love fruits and especially any kind of berries. I can hardly save any fresh strawberries to use for baking. Last week I bought a couple of boxes of beautiful strawberries and managed to hide a box to make these delicious shortcake-style muffins.
These strawberry shortcake muffins are not your routine fruity strawberry muffins. This has the texture and the rich flavor of shortcake without the mess. I love these over the traditional shortcakes as they are so easy to serve and each bite has all the flavors.
I have been baking quite a bit of muffins lately and these delicious strawberry shortcake muffins are what I made after baking Cinnamon roll muffins and Cake Yazdi.
It's strawberry season and if you are looking to make a delicious cake for any event, check out this vegan strawberry cake recipe. It is a beautiful cake and is perfect for strawberry lovers.
Why make strawberry shortcake muffins?
- Strawberries are in peak season now and it is the best time to use them to bake. I make a couple of batches and freeze the muffins to enjoy later.
- Unlike traditional strawberry shortcake, which requires assembly and serving, these muffins offer the convenience of a handheld treat. They are perfect for on-the-go snacking, picnics, and brunches.
- These muffins are very versatile. They are also very adaptable and can use a mix of flavor combinations. I sometimes use a mix of a couple of berries or add different nuts and flavorings to change it up.
- This is one of the easiest muffin recipes. I almost say that for many of my muffin recipes, but it is very quick and takes just about 30 minutes from start to finish.
- This is also an eggless muffin recipe. The ingredients needed to make the strawberry shortcake muffins are very simple and pantry basic.
Ingredients and substitutes
Check the recipe card at the bottom of the page for exact measurements and printable detailed recipes.
Flour - I used all-purpose flour to make the recipe today. I have had a very good experience using whole wheat pastry flour to make the muffins as well.
Baking Powder - Make sure that your baking powder is fresh and not expired.
Sugar - I have used white granulated sugar in the muffin batter and also used coarse sugar to sprinkle on top. This is optional though.
Salt - Don't skip the little salt in the shortcake muffin recipe.
Butter - Cold, cubed butter is what we will use to cut into the flour. This is what creates the pocket of airy texture in the muffin giving it the shortcake feel.
Dairy - I am going to give a few options here. I have used just whole milk and just heavy cream. Just whole milk had less richness and I missed the shortcake feel. Just heavy cream was a little too rich for my liking. What I liked the best was a mix of heavy cream and whole milk and that is what I used in the recipe today.
Almond extract - I have used almond extract in the strawberry shortcake muffins. If you don't have almond extract or are not a fan, use vanilla extract instead.
Strawberries - This is the star of the recipe today. Use fresh, juicy strawberries chopped into bite size even pieces. Do not use frozen strawberries in this recipe. Read below in the FAQ section if planning to use frozen strawberries.
Step-by-step process
Wash the strawberries and destem them. Chop them into small bite-size pieces and measure 2 cups and keep them in a bowl.
Cube the cold butter and keep it ready.
Prepare standard muffin tin by layering it with muffin liners. If not using muffin liners, spray the muffin tins with cooking spray.
Preheat the oven to 375 F.
In a wide bowl, sift 2 cups of flour, 3 teaspoons of baking powder, and half a teaspoon of salt.
Add ½ cup of sugar to the flour mixture.
Now add the cubed butter and cut it into the flour using a pastry cutter or fork or hands. I used my fingertips and blended the butter with the flour. Do it quickly and don't let the butter melt. The flour mixture will look like a coarse crumb now.
Now add the chopped strawberry to the flour mixture and mix it to evenly distribute. Reserve a few pieces to place on top of the muffin.
Add the cream and milk mixture along with almond extract and using a spatula combine the muffin batter. The batter will be a little thicker than the usual muffin batter.
Using an ice cream scoop or muffin scoop, scoop the batter evenly between the 12 muffin tin holes.
Place a few strawberry pieces on top and sprinkle coarse sugar (optional).
Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 22 minutes. The muffin will be a little lighter in color.
Let the muffins cool in the tin for a few minutes (a little longer than usual) and then remove it on a cooling rack to cool entirely.
Expert Tips
- This is a shortcake muffin and the batter would be much different from the regular muffin batter. The batter would be thicker and that is absolutely fine.
- These shortcake muffins might not rise as much as regular muffins, but the texture would be marvelous. So we can safely fill these almost to the top of muffin tins.
- Add the chopped strawberries after mixing the flour with the butter. This way the strawberries can be combined to evenly distribute throughout the muffin batter. If they are added after the cream/milk is added, we might have to mix it harder to combine and the strawberries would end up becoming mushy.
- Make sure the butter is really cold. That is what gives the shortcake its texture.
- These strawberry shortcake muffins will also be a little lighter in color. SO check for doneness using a toothpick and don't just rely on color.
How to store the shortcake muffins
The strawberry shortcake muffins are very tender. So allow the muffins to cool in the tin before taking them out. Then the muffins can be served right away or cool it entirely on a wire rack before storing.
The shortcake muffins can be stored in an airtight container after cooling entirely for a couple of days. Beyond that, they have to be frozen.
I freeze the muffins in a freezer-safe bag sealed tightly for 3 months or so.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, we can use frozen strawberries but need to change the recipe a bit. Frozen strawberries can be thawed and chopped before using. Since frozen strawberries have a little more liquid than fresh ones, we might have to reduce the amount of milk/cream we use in the recipe.
Absolutely, we can use any other berries like blueberry, blackberry, or raspberry or even mix them up and use mixed berries.
Yes, these muffins freeze great. Make sure to let them cool completely and freeze them for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container/bag. Thaw completely at room temperature before serving.
I have not made it vegan, but can definitely be made to work using vegan butter and plant-based milk.
More strawberry recipes
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Recipe
Strawberry Shortcake Muffins
Equipment
- 1 Muffin Tin
- 12 Muffin liner
- 1 bowl
- 1 Oven
Ingredients
- 2 cups All purpose flour
- 3 teaspoon Baking Powder
- ½ cup Sugar
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ½ cup Butter cold and cubed
- ½ teaspoon Almond extract
- ½ cup Milk I use whole milk
- ½ cup Heavy cream can skip cream and use ½ more cup of milk instead
- 2 cups Strawberries chopped into bite size pieces
Instructions
- Wash the strawberries and destem them. Chop them into small bite-size pieces and measure 2 cups and keep them in a bowl.
- Cube the cold butter and keep it ready.
- Prepare standard muffin tin by layering it with muffin liners. If not using muffin liners, spray the muffin tins with cooking spray.
- Preheat the oven to 375 F.
- In a wide bowl, sift 2 cups of flour, 3 teaspoons of baking powder, and half a teaspoon of salt.
- Add ½ cup of sugar to the flour mixture.
- Now add the cubed butter and cut it into the flour using a pastry cutter or fork or hands. I used my fingertips and blended the butter with the flour. Do it quickly and don't let the butter melt. The flour mixture will look like a coarse crumb now.
- Now add the chopped strawberry to the flour mixture and mix it to evenly distribute. Reserve a few pieces to place on top of the muffin.
- Add the cream and milk mixture along with almond extract and using a spatula combine the muffin batter. The batter will be a little thicker than the usual muffin batter.
- Using an ice cream scoop or muffin scoop, scoop the batter evenly between the 12 muffin tin holes.
- Place a few strawberry pieces on top and sprinkle coarse sugar (optional).
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 22 minutes. The muffin will be a little lighter in color.
- Let the muffins cool in the tin for few minutes (a little longer than usual) and then remove it on a cooling rack to cool entirely.
Notes
- This is a shortcake muffin and the batter would be much different from the regular muffin batter. The batter would be thicker and that is absolutely fine.
- These shortcake muffins might not rise as much as regular muffins, but the texture would be marvelous. So we can safely fill these almost to the top of muffin tins.
- Add the chopped strawberries after mixing the flour with the butter. This way the strawberries can be combined to evenly distribute throughout the muffin batter. If they are added after the cream/milk is added, we might have to mix it harder to combine and the strawberries would end up becoming mushy.
- Make sure the butter is really cold. That is what gives the shortcake its texture.
- These strawberry shortcake muffins will also be a little lighter in color. SO check for doneness using a toothpick and don't just rely on color.
These strawberry shortcake muffins are a revelation! Bursting with juicy strawberries and a hint of sweetness, they're like biting into a piece of summer.
These muffins are so cute! I am so excited to make this for the kids as Easter treats. Yum!
Delicious and easy muffin recipe! I especially loved the almond extract flavor with the strawberries.
These muffins are perfect!! Strawberry season is one of my favourite seasons, so these muffins are going to be made on repeat until all the good strawberries are gone.
I love that you used almond extract! Such a great combination with strawberry. And they look like they have a great texture!
My family loved your strawberry muffins! They were a delicious breakfast treat!
Take your favorite summertime treat, strawberry shortcake, on the go! These were great for a portable breakfast.
These sound and look so lovely! I love fresh strawberry baked goodies...these are definitely getting made. Cannot wait!
I love the idea of a strawberry shortcake in a muffin, what a great idea. Looking forward to trying them this weekend.
You got me with these strawberry shortcake muffins. First, the taste of shortbread was impeccable, and then the amount of strawberries made them to die for Thanks for this flavorful and easy-to-make recipe.
These strawberry muffins were so delicious and full of yummy strawberry flavor. They disappeared fast.
Who needs a strawberry topped donut or bagel, these were so delicious and made the perfect treat for breakfast or snack!
I love baking with strawberries! My neighbor has several strawberry bushes, and they're just starting to explode with fruit, so I plan on making these muffins all summer long. They're so tender, like strawberry shortcake without the mess!
These strawberry shortcake muffins are a special treat! Moist and tender, and the fresh strawberry taste really shines!
Love these! They're sweet, but not too sweet, and those fresh strawberries add a perfect little tang.
These tasted so yummy and fresh! I skipped the cream and used all milk and it was great.
The whole family enjoyed these muffins, the strawberries were sweet and tart. We will be making these again next week.
Strawberries are everywhere at the markets right now so this was a perfect time to try this recipe! We loved it. Super creamy and just sweet enough.
These tasty muffins had such a great strawberry flavor! I loved how easy they were to make and they were such a nice lunchbox treat! Yum!