Lemon Muffins

Lemon Muffins

This recipe is a new twist on an old favorite, so you’ll find everything you love about lemon muffins and then some. It starts with a delicious lemon batter for the muffins made with lemon Greek yogurt for extra moistness. Then, I add a lemon cream cheese topping that’s tangy, sweet, and zesty. Finally, I top it with an easy and sweet crumb topping and bake the muffins up to golden perfection. When it’s all said and done, I have a batch of muffins with a classic, tender muffin base, a deliciously tangy lemon layer, and the extra sweetness of the crumb topping. It all comes together to create muffins that are loaded with both flavor and textures – the full snacking experience! Whip up a batch and serve them for a sweet breakfast, brunch, or addition to any potluck.

Why You’ll Love This Lemon Muffin Recipe

• They’re absolutely delicious, and they’re sweet, tart, and so moist.
• They have a lemon cream cheese layer and a crumb topping that you can’t beat.
• They’re the perfect sweet breakfast, brunch, or dessert treat.

Why are These the Best Lemon Muffins?

Even without the lemon cream cheese mixture, these muffins are moist and tender. However, when you add that cream cheese layer and top it with the crumble, you get a muffin like you’ve never had before. The extra richness of the lemon layer adds both moisture and luscious, lemony flavor to the muffins that really skyrockets them to another level. They’re also easy to make, and as we all know, an easy recipe (that’s also delicious) is a great recipe!

Tips

• Don’t overmix your muffin batter. As soon as the ingredients are combined, stop mixing. Lumps are fine. Overmixing leads to tough muffins.
• Don’t overfill your muffin cups. You need space for that delicious lemon layer.
• Use cold butter for the crumble topping. You want a crumbly texture, not a smooth one.

Variations

• Try using your favorite fruit flavors for the muffin batter by replacing the lemon Greek yogurt with other fruity variations.
• You can change the lemon filling to other flavors by using different extracts like blueberry extract.

What to Serve with Lemon Muffins

The great thing about muffins is that they make a deliciously sweet breakfast on their own or as a sweet addition to your savory favorites. Try serving up your muffins with:

• Milk
• Coffee
• Orange juice
• Eggs
• Bacon
• Sausage
• Omelets
• Breakfast skillets

FAQ

Are muffins better with oil or butter?

Neither one is better. They’re just different. Butter gives muffins more of a crumb to the texture. However, oil makes a muffin that’s moister. Either works well. You can also split the difference and use a half-and-half mixture of butter and oil.

What does oil do in a muffin recipe?

Oil adds extra moisture to the muffins. While both oil and butter are fats, the natural liquidity of the oil makes for moister muffins.

What is the role of yogurt in baking?

Yogurt does several things in baking. First, it makes for very moist baked goods. In addition, its tang gives baked goods a classic, old-fashioned flavor. Finally, its acidity helps activate baking soda, which helps baked goods be as light and fluffy as possible.

How long will homemade muffins with cream cheese last?

Muffins like these will last for about 3 days in the refrigerator. Yes, they must be refrigerated.

Can you freeze lemon muffins?

Yes, you can. Store them in an airtight, freezer-safe container and freeze for up to a month.

Storing Instructions

Store these muffins in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze them for up to a month. Chill the muffins completely and wrap them in a double layer of cling wrap. Then, place them in an airtight, freezer-safe container and freeze.

Lemon Muffins Ingredients

This recipe uses basic ingredients that you’ll find in your pantry and at your local grocery store.

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Vegetable oil
• Sugar
• Large egg + egg yolk
• Lemon Greek yogurt
• Fresh lemon juice
• Lemon zest
• Cream cheese
• Vanilla extract
• Butter

For the actual measurements and ingredients, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

How to Make Lemon Muffins

Making these muffins is incredibly simple. You’ll only need a few minutes to make them!

Step 1: Prep

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Add paper muffin liners to a muffin pan or lightly spray the tin with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.

Step 2: Combine the Dry Muffin Ingredients

Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a medium bowl.

Step 3: Combine the Wet Muffin Ingredients

In large mixing bowl, beat the oil and sugar for 2 minutes. Then, beat in the egg. Finally, add the lemon yogurt, lemon juice, and lemon zest and mix until combined.

Step 4: Complete the Batter

Add the dry ingredients to the large bowl with the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Then, fill each muffin tin ⅔ full.

Step 5: Make the Cream Cheese Filling

Beat the cream cheese, sugar, egg yolk, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla together in a small mixing bowl. Add the mixture to each muffin tin.

Step 6: Make the Crumb Topping

Mix the butter, flour, and sugar together in a small bowl until crumbly. Then, add the topping to each muffin.

Step 7: Bake

Bake the muffins for 30 – 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Remove and let cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Try This Delicious Lemon Muffin Recipe Today

These lemon muffins are super moist, loaded with rich lemon flavor, a cream cheese layer, and topped with a sweet crumble, making a muffin recipe that’s as full of texture as it is deliciousness. Give these a try, and I guarantee you’ll find yourself making them again and again. They’re great for parties, breakfast, or just because.

More Delicious Lemon Dessert Recipes You’ll Enjoy

Cream Cheese Lemonade Pie – This delicious zesty, tart, lemony pie is creamy, super easy to make and is one of the most popular desserts on the blog. 

Luscious Lemon Cheesecake – This lip smacking, mouthwatering, luscious cheesecake is full of lemony flavor and is an absolutely incredible lemon cheesecake recipe.

Lemon Pastries – These lemon pastries are easy to make and uses simple ingredients, baked to golden perfection with a lemon glaze drizzle.

And, here is a delicious Lemon Pretzel Dessert from Deliciously Seasoned that tastes amazing!