Irresistible Sugar Crusted Plum Muffins: Your New Favorite Homemade Treat
Prepare to fall in love with these delightful sugar crusted plum muffins! Each bite offers a harmonious blend of a tender, moist crumb, bursts of sweet and juicy fresh plums, and a wonderfully crisp cinnamon sugar topping. These muffins are not just a breakfast item; they are a sweet little indulgence designed to brighten any moment of your day.
Why These Plum Muffins Are a Must-Try
These magnificent sugar crusted plum muffins are truly a delight, offering a perfect way to start your day or enjoy a delicious afternoon treat. What makes this recipe truly stand out is the exquisite combination of flavors and textures. The natural sweetness and juiciness of fresh plums are perfectly encased within a light and tender muffin crumb, creating a moist interior that contrasts beautifully with the crispy cinnamon sugar topping. It’s an explosion of sweet, tangy, and spiced goodness that will undoubtedly leave you craving more.
Plums, in my humble opinion, are a culinary gem often overlooked. While they are famously excellent for jams and preserves, their versatility in baking extends far beyond. From vibrant stone fruit smoothie bowls to delightful homemade fruit roll-ups, and of course, these incredible plum muffins, plums bring a unique flavor and an appealing visual pop to any dish. Their rich, often deep hues can transform an otherwise plain-looking baked good into a colorful masterpiece. Beyond their aesthetic and taste, plums are also packed with antioxidants, offering a healthy bonus to your sweet indulgence. It’s truly a win-win situation!
This recipe ensures that every muffin boasts a generous amount of fruit, creating pockets of soft, cooked plums that release their flavorful juices into the surrounding batter. The cinnamon sugar crust isn’t just for show; it adds a delightful crunch and an aromatic spice blend that elevates the entire muffin experience. Whether you’re an experienced baker or just starting, this recipe is straightforward and promises consistently delicious results that will impress everyone.
Essential Ingredients for Perfect Plum Muffins
To create these delectable sugar crusted plum muffins, you’ll need a selection of common baking ingredients, all precisely measured for the best outcome. All specific measurements and a full set of instructions are available in the printable recipe card towards the end of this post.
Ingredient Insights and Smart Substitution Suggestions
Let’s delve a bit deeper into some of the key ingredients and how to get the most out of them, along with useful substitution tips:
- PLUMS – The star of our show! Plums typically enjoy their peak season from July to October, which is when you’ll find the widest variety and the freshest, most flavorful fruit. However, don’t let that limit you; plums can often be found year-round, though your selection might be smaller. For this recipe, perfectly sweet varieties like Mirabelle and greengage plums are excellent choices. Ultimately, the best plum is your favorite plum, so choose a variety you enjoy eating fresh! When selecting plums, look for fruit that is firm but yields slightly to gentle pressure, indicating ripeness. Avoid any with significant blemishes or soft spots.
- FLOUR – Accurate flour measurement is paramount for achieving the perfect muffin texture. For all baked goods, including these plum muffins, always use the “scoop and sweep” method. To do this, gently spoon flour into your measuring cup until it overflows. Then, use the flat back of a butter knife or a straight edge to level off the excess, ensuring a precise measurement. Resist the urge to pack the flour by tapping the cup on the counter or scooping directly from the bag, as this can add too much flour, leading to dry, dense, and crumbly muffins instead of the tender, moist ones we’re aiming for.
- SUGAR – Granulated sugar provides the foundational sweetness and also contributes to the muffins’ texture. The additional sugar for the crust, combined with cinnamon, creates that signature sweet and spiced outer layer. You can experiment with brown sugar for a slightly deeper, molasses-like flavor in the muffin batter, but keep the granulated sugar for the crust to ensure that crisp, sugary finish.
- CINNAMON & NUTMEG – These spices are crucial for complementing the plums’ natural sweetness and adding warmth to the muffins. Freshly grated nutmeg will always provide a more potent aroma and flavor compared to pre-ground versions, if you have it available. If you’re not a fan of nutmeg, you can omit it or substitute with a pinch of allspice or cardamom for a different, yet equally delightful, twist.
- BAKING POWDER & SALT – Baking powder is your leavening agent, responsible for the muffins’ rise and airy texture. Ensure your baking powder is fresh for optimal results. Salt balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
- EGGS, MILK & BUTTER – For the best emulsion and a smooth batter, ensure your eggs are at room temperature. This helps them incorporate more effectively with the other ingredients. Whole milk will yield the richest, most tender muffins, but you can use 2% milk if that’s what you have on hand. Crucially, allow your melted butter to cool slightly before adding it to the wet ingredients. Adding hot butter can cook the eggs, leading to a lumpy batter and affecting the final texture of your muffins.
How to Make Sugar Crusted Plum Muffins: Step-by-Step
These step-by-step photos and detailed instructions are designed to help you visualize each stage of the recipe, ensuring a smooth baking experience. For the complete printable version of this recipe, including exact measurements and a comprehensive ingredient list, please Jump to Recipe at the bottom of this post.
This exceptional recipe is adapted from Martha Stewart’s Baking Handbook. We found it to be absolutely delicious without any modifications!
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190°C). This ensures the oven is at the correct temperature when your muffins are ready to bake, promoting an even rise.
- Prepare your muffin pan: either spray 10 cavities with non-stick baking spray or line them with paper muffin cups. Pour about a tablespoon of water into the remaining two empty muffin cups. This helps create an even baking environment and prevents the pan from warping.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients: 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, flour, baking powder, salt, and ground nutmeg. Whisk these ingredients together thoroughly to ensure they are well-distributed. Set this bowl aside.
- In a separate large bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients: eggs (ensure they are at room temperature for better incorporation), vanilla extract, milk, and melted butter. It’s crucial that the melted butter has cooled down sufficiently before adding it to prevent scrambling the eggs.
- Gently fold the wet egg mixture into the dry flour mixture using a rubber spatula. Mix just until combined; it’s okay if a few lumps remain. Overmixing can lead to tough muffins. Once combined, divide the batter evenly into two separate bowls.
- Divide one half of the batter evenly among the 10 prepared muffin cups, filling each approximately one-third full.
- Generously add a layer of fresh, diced plum pieces to each muffin cup, placing them directly on top of the first layer of batter.
- Carefully spoon the remaining half of the batter over the plum layer in each muffin cup, ensuring the plums are mostly covered. Fill each cup approximately two-thirds full.
- In a small bowl, combine the reserved 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon. Mix well, then sprinkle this sweet and spicy mixture generously over the top of each unbaked muffin. This will create the signature sugar crust.
- Bake for 15 to 20 minutes. To check for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of one of the muffins; it should come out clean. Once baked, let the muffins cool in the muffin tin for 5 to 10 minutes. This allows them to set properly and makes them easier to remove. After this initial cooling, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Baking Tips
To maintain their delicious freshness, store your plum muffins in an air-tight container at room temperature for 2-3 days. For a slightly longer shelf life, you can refrigerate them for up to 5 days. Keep in mind that as muffins sit, especially in the refrigerator, they tend to dry out a bit, so enjoying them within the first couple of days is recommended for the best texture and flavor.
Absolutely! These muffins freeze beautifully, making them perfect for meal prepping or having a quick treat on hand. To freeze, first ensure the muffins are completely cooled. Then, wrap each muffin individually in plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil for extra protection against freezer burn. Store the wrapped muffins in a large ziptop freezer bag or an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply let them thaw at room temperature for a few hours, or gently warm them in the microwave or oven.
The secret to truly tender and moist muffins lies in avoiding overmixing the batter. Once you combine the wet and dry ingredients, mix just until no dry streaks of flour remain. A few lumps are perfectly normal and actually preferred, as overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough, chewy muffins. Gentle folding with a rubber spatula is key.
For the best distribution of flavor and texture, make sure your plums are ripe but still firm. This prevents them from becoming too mushy during baking. Cutting them into small, even chunks ensures that each muffin gets a good amount of fruit and that they cook consistently. If your plums are very juicy, you might consider tossing them lightly with a teaspoon of flour before adding them to the batter; this can help absorb excess moisture and prevent the muffins from becoming too soggy.
Delicious Serving Suggestions
Sugar crusted plum muffins are wonderfully versatile and can be enjoyed in a myriad of ways! They are absolutely fantastic alongside a freshly brewed cup of coffee or a comforting mug of tea, making them an ideal start to your morning or a delightful mid-morning pick-me-up. For busy mornings, they serve as a perfect grab-and-go breakfast or a quick, satisfying snack throughout the day.
Don’t limit these lovely muffins to just breakfast! They make an excellent addition to a brunch spread, perhaps alongside fresh fruit salad, yogurt, or a savory quiche. For a more indulgent treat, try serving them slightly warm with a dollop of whipped cream, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce for a simple yet elegant dessert. Their sweet and tangy profile also pairs well with a side of plain Greek yogurt for a balanced snack. There’s truly no wrong time to savor these irresistible plum muffins!
Explore More Muffin Recipes
If you’ve fallen in love with these plum muffins, you’ll be thrilled to discover more of our favorite muffin recipes that are equally simple to make and incredibly delicious. Expand your baking repertoire with these tried-and-true favorites:
- Classic Banana Muffins
- Irresistible Blueberry Muffins
- Tropical Pineapple Muffins
- Fresh Strawberry Muffins with Vanilla Lemon Glaze
- Comforting Cinnamon Streusel Muffins
- Hearty Apple Muffins
I absolutely adore baking and cooking, and I find immense joy in sharing my kitchen adventures and recipes with all of you! To make sure you never miss out on a new recipe, I offer a convenient newsletter delivered straight to your inbox every time a new creation is posted. Simply subscribe here and start receiving your free daily recipes – a delightful way to keep your culinary inspiration flowing!
Sugar Crusted Plum Muffins
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
- ¾ cup + 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon divided
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 eggs at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ¾ cup milk
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted and cooled
- 3-5 ripe plums depending on their size, pitted and cut into small chunks
Things You’ll Need
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Muffin pan
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Mixing bowls
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Whisk
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Rubber spatula
Before You Begin
- Plums are readily available from July – October which is when they are in season, however, you can purchase plums year round, you may just have a smaller selection to choose from. Mirabelle and greengage plums are perfectly sweet varieties. Choose your favorite variety of plums to use in this recipe
- As with any baked good, it’s important to properly measure your flour using the scoop and sweep method. To do so, scoop the flour into a measuring cup with a spoon until overflowing. Then, sweep off the excess on top with the back end of a butter knife to level. Do not pack your flour by tapping the cup on the counter and do not scoop directly from the bag. This will prevent dry, crumbly muffins.
- STORAGE – Plum muffins can be stored in an air-tight container kept at room temperature for 2-3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5. The longer the muffins sit, the dryer they will become.
- FREEZING – Wrap the fully cooled muffins individually in plastic wrap then store them in a large ziptop bag in the freezer for up to 2 months. Allow to thaw at room temperature.
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
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Spray or line 10 muffin cups. Put water in the remaining two cups.
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In a large bowl, combine 3/4 cup sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, flour, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg. Set aside.
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In another large bowl, whisk together eggs, vanilla, milk, and melted butter. (Make sure the melted butter is cool before you add it.)
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Fold the egg mixture into the flour mixture with a rubber spatula. Divide the batter evenly.
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Divide one half of the batter evenly among the 10 lined muffin cups.
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Add a layer of plum pieces to each.
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Divide the remaining half of the batter over the layer of plums.
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Combine the remaining 2 tbsp sugar and 1/2 tsp of cinnamon in a small bowl. Sprinkle over the muffins.
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Bake for 15 – 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of one of the muffins comes out clean. Leave to cool in the muffin tin for 5 to 10 minutes before removing from tin and transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.
This post originally appeared here on January 22, 2012, and has since been updated with new photos, expanded content, and expert tips to enhance your baking experience. You may recognize it from the original photo below.
