These Strawberry Coffee Cake Muffins are made with sweet fresh berries and buttermilk then topped with a delicious sugar and butter crumble! Pull these homemade muffins out of the oven after just 20 minutes of baking!
You might also enjoy my Blueberry Muffins and Raspberry Muffins that are made from the same delicious base recipe!
You will love these Homemade Strawberry Muffins
These Strawberry Coffee Cake Muffins are bursting with bright, juicy strawberry flavor! Making them the perfect breakfast treat or mid-day snack!
Is there anything better than fresh local berries? I think not. Except baking with them, that’s pretty good too!
A couple of weeks ago I went with my mom to scoop up some of the last strawberries of summer. An hour’s worth of work yielded 6 quarts of beautiful, ripe berries.
And I knew just what to do with them! Whip up a batch of these muffins that readers have called the best muffin recipe they’ve ever had!
You’ll love these Strawberry Muffins
Taste: The base of the muffins has a slight hint of sweetness. While the baked berries bring the juicy, vibrant strawberry flavor! Finishing off the sweetness in these muffins is the sugary, buttery streusel topping that’s super delicious!
Texture: These Easy Strawberry Muffins are delightfully tender, light, and fluffy! With the baked strawberries bringing a sweet sticky texture that’s finished off with the crumbly, baked topping!
Strawberry Muffin Recipe Ingredients
- unsalted butter
- salted butter
- granulated sugar
- light brown sugar
- large egg
- vanilla extract
- all-purpose flour
- baking powder
- salt
- buttermilk or whole milk
- fresh strawberries
The Secret Ingredient In This Strawberry Muffin Recipe!
If you guessed buttermilk, you’re right! Buttermilk is what makes these yummy muffins wonderfully soft and fluffy on the inside!
Buttermilk and other kinds of milk have different acid levels and react differently with the leavening agent and sugars used. Buttermilk’s acidity level tenderizes the gluten, giving these muffins their soft, light interior.
This texture is similar to what you get when you use sour cream or Greek yogurt in a baking recipe!
If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make a Buttermilk Substitute right at home. All you need is milk and lemon juice, vinegar, or cream of tartar.
I have tested this recipe with whole milk and while I do think the buttermilk adds just a bit more to the flavor and texture of the muffins, it is a great substitute.
How to make Strawberry Muffins
Step 1: Cream together the butter and sugar in a large bowl.
Step 2: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract.
Step 3: Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl.
Step 4: Add the dry ingredients to the egg mixture, alternating with the buttermilk, and mixing between additions.
Step 5: Diced the strawberries into small pieces.
Step 6: Fold in most of the chopped strawberries.
Step 7: Prepare the crumble topping by butting the butter into the flour and sugars.
Step 8: Add the muffin batter to a greased or lined muffin tin and top with crumble topping.
Step 9: Bake in a preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes.
Coffee Cake Muffins Recipe Expert Tips:
- For clean baking and easier serving, line the muffin tins with paper liners.
- When adding the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, be sure to alternate with adding the buttermilk!
- For flat muffins, mix most of the strawberries into the batter and add the rest to the top. For dome-topped muffins stir all the strawberries into the batter.
- I found that 1/4 cup of batter is the perfect amount to add to the muffin cups.
- You want to make sure to use cold butter when making the topping as that’s what makes it all crumbly!
- Fresh Strawberries should always be used for this recipe! Frozen strawberries have too much additional water/juice in them, and this will result in soggy/sunken muffins.
- Check the muffins for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of one.
- If you want to make this into a coffee cake, check out my Strawberry Coffee Cake recipe! It’s very similar but has a different crumble topping and method.
I’ve always loved coffee cake, there’s just something about that sweet crumbly topping and the slight dryness of the cake! All of which pairs perfectly with your morning cup of coffee.
They’re best warmed with butter spread on them! Mmmm SO good!
Normally I use my summer berries in desserts like my Blackberry Buttermilk Panna Cotta. Or in drinks like my Strawberry Daiquiri or, you know, just eat them straight!
You can also make really easy fillings or simple syrups if you’re looking to use your berries up quickly!
The nice thing about this muffin recipe is that you can use any berry you fancy or even do a mixed berry topping, now doesn’t that sound good?
Blueberry and Blackberry season is right around the corner here in Maine, so stayed tuned for more delicious berry recipes!
Storing Strawberry Coffee Cake Muffins
Store these Strawberry Muffins in an airtight container at room temperature and enjoy them within 2 days.
Make Ahead and Freezing Instructions for Strawberry Coffee Cake Muffins
To do so, first, wrap each muffin individually in aluminum foil. Then place the wrapped muffins into freezer bags and place them in the freezer. To enjoy, first thaw them overnight in the fridge.
Let’s Connect!
If you’ve tried this recipe, please let me know how you liked it in the comments below and leave a review. I love hearing from you!
Don’t forget to tag me – @sugarandsoulco – on Instagram and Pinterest with your photos or join our Sugar & Soul Show-offs Community and share them there, where you can join our recipe challenges!
This recipe was published in July 2014 and was updated in July 2022 with fresh photos and recipe tips.
Homemade Strawberry Muffins
Ingredients
Muffins:
- ¼ cup unsalted butter softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup buttermilk or whole milk, see notes
- 1½ cup diced fresh strawberries divided
Crumble:
- ½ cup cold butter, diced small
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
Instructions
- Preheat over to 375°F and line a muffin pan with liners and set aside.
- Cream together the butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl.¼ cup unsalted butter, ¾ cup granulated sugar
- Beat in egg and vanilla. The mixture will be a bit lumpy, that’s okay.1 large egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- In a separate, large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.1½ cups all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon salt
- Slowly add the flour mix, alternating with the buttermilk, until incorporated into the butter mix. Beating until completely combined.½ cup buttermilk
- Gently fold in most OR all of the strawberries. See notes.1½ cup diced fresh strawberries
- Add about ¼ cup of batter to each muffin liner then load up the tops of the muffins with the remaining strawberries.
- In a mixing bowl, beat the crumble ingredients until pea-sized crumbs form then sprinkle crumble on the tops of the muffins.½ cup cold butter, diced small, ½ cup all-purpose flour, ¼ cup light brown sugar, ¼ cup granulated sugar
- Reduce oven heat to 350°F and bake muffins for 18 to 20 minutes. Allow muffins to cool in the pan for 5 to 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Video
Notes
- You can mix most of the strawberries into the batter and add the rest to the top, which will result in flatter muffins. Or you can mix all of the strawberries into the batter which will yield dome-topped muffins.
- Buttermilk Substitute: Whisk a 1/2 cup of milk (whole or 2%) or heavy cream into a large bowl or measuring cup with 1 1/2 teaspoons of lemon juice or white vinegar.
- I have tested this recipe with whole milk and while I do think the buttermilk adds just a bit more to the flavor and texture of the muffins, it is a great substitute.
- Best consumed within two days.
Nutrition
Did You Make This Recipe?
Don’t forget to share it with me on Instagram @sugarandsoulco and follow on Tiktok @sugarandsoulco and Pinterest @sugarandsoulco for more!
Comments & Reviews
Nicole says
I only have salted butter. Will that work?
Rebecca Hubbell says
Hi Nicole, Generally you should use unsalted and then salt as needed. Using salted butter won’t impact the structure of the muffins but they could end up being salty.
Wilhelmina Wessel says
I could eat these muffins everyday!
Rebecca Hubbell says
I could think of worse things 😉
Liz Della Croce says
These look so delicious! Paired with a big cup of coffee, these are the perfect way to start the day!
Jess says
Today is February 27, 2018 and it’s been very cold (for Southern California weather), it also rained a couple times. With that said, the original dinner plan changed to a chicken soup with something warm for dessert (I hadn’t figured that part out, yet). I had some strawberries that I felt needed to be used so I went on Pinterest, needless to say your recipe is the one that captured my interest. We (my little helpers, 6 and 7 years old and I) tried it and we’re so pleased; they are SO yummy! Thank you for sharing! This is definitely something that you can make anytime of day. These muffins warmed us up on this chilly night (51 degrees Fahrenheit ?).
Rebecca Hubbell says
I’m so glad you all enjoyed them and they warmed you up! That’s one of the things I love about this recipe is that it’s great for any weather!
Una says
What can you replace buttermilk with?
Rebecca says
Hi Una, you can make homemade buttermilk following this recipe: http://www.ambitiouskitchen.com/2014/09/how-to-make-homemade-buttermilk/
Some have used milk but just note that it will react a bit differently because of the acid difference.
Scott says
This is my go to muffin recipe. I’ve also made them with raspberries and blueberries, delicious!
Danielle says
I never make muffins because they never come out good. I decided to make these tonight because i had alot of strawberries. These came out amazing. They are ao good I dont want to eat them. I just want to save them forever. Thank you so much. I plan on making them again but with blue berries. I’m definitely putting your recipe in my book of favorite recipes!
Rebecca says
I’m so glad you loved them, Danielle! I’m planning a blueberry version in the next couple weeks here on the blog!
Melissa says
Can I substitute buttermilk for regular milk?
Rebecca says
Hi Melissa, buttermilk and regular milk have different acidity levels that impact the leavening agent and how the muffins bake. I’ve always used buttermilk, you could try regular milk but I’m not sure how it will turn out. You can also make homemade buttermilk, if you google search it should give you the recipe, I think it’s either milk and lemon juice or milk and vinegar.
Sunshine baker says
These were very tasty. My family liked them.
Sherri H Walden says
Just got a flat of fresh berries tonight. Can’t wait to make these for breakfast! Thank you for sharing. I love muffins and this is simple
, but oh so good.
Rebecca says
So many berries! Enjoy!
Sunshine baker says
These are good, but a bit sweet for our taste. Despite using a light coloured muffin pan, the bottoms got a bit dark. Next time I will preheat the oven to 350. I used buttermilk. It made 14 muffins with the yellow scoop. I think blueberries or another fruit would also work well in these muffins.
Christina says
Hi, can you use jelly/jam instead of using fresh berries? I’m looking for recipes where I can use the substitution.
Rebecca says
Hi Christina, I’ve never tried it myself so I can’t say for sure, but maybe try swirling it in on top.
Ira says
Hi!
You muffins look amazing that I wanted to make this for my daughter’s birthday treat. May I know what kind of flour do you use?
Unbleached wheat flour or superfine/cake flour?
Thanks,
Ira
Rebecca says
Hi Ira, I use King Arthur’s all-purpose flour.
Sandra Clayton Rose says
Please add me to your mailing list… I just love your blog…
Thanks … Sandra
Bridget says
My pet peeve is when people comment on a recipe with “these look great” and “can’t wait to try them.” I read the comments because I WANT TO KNOW HOW IT TURNED OUT, and if the recipe was successful for at-home users. Having gotten that off my chest, I’m commenting to say that I actually made these muffins, following the recipe exactly, and they were amazing! That so rarely happens! There’s almost always some stipulation why our results never come out as they should have, such as differences in ovens, altitude, quality of ingredients, blah blah blah. This recipe we crazy easy, and mine came out perfect. Just, WOW.
Rebecca says
So glad you enjoyed them, Bridget! They’re definitely a favorite around here!
Kayla says
Really, really disappointed with this recipe…. Followed it all as it said and they came out horrendous. I increased the cooking time because they looked like mush and they never rose while they cooked… I took them out and they were literally mush, inedible, and sunken in. Spent a big chunk of time making these with my 4 year old and they I used organic local strawberries that were pretty expensive and now I have to throw them all in the trash. Really bummed out about these….
Rebecca says
Hi Kayla,
I’m sorry to hear these didn’t turn out for you, I know how frustrating that can be. This is a well loved recipe by myself and readers and it always yields delicious results. Given your description of how they turned out, is it possible your baking powder is old. I know when I normally have sunken, mushy baked goods come out of the oven it’s usually because my levening agent has gone bad. Again, I’m so sorry you had such a disappointing experience with this recipe.
Bridget says
Oh honey, you messed up somewhere. Plain and simple. Maybe don’t let the kid help next time.
Willie Murphy says
Wow…… What a delicious recipe! Strawberry, coffee……… Really mouth watering recipe….. I’m obviously going to try this one…. Thank you Rebecca for sharing such a yummy recipe….
Mags says
Oh my goodness. I never comment on recipes, but I just HAD to comment on this one. These are the BEST muffins I have ever made. I honestly want to eat the entire batch in one sitting. I bake a LOT, so this is really saying something!
Thank you for such an amazing recipe!!! Its definitely a keeper!!!
Rebecca says
Oh Mags, I’m so glad you took the time to comment and I’m so glad you enjoyed these muffins, aren’t they awesome! You’ll probably love the Strawberry & Peach Coffee Cake I’m posting tomorrow too!
gretchen says
I made these yesterday. Absolutely scrumptious! Recipe made 12 regular size muffins, + a little 4″ metal pie tin that I lined with parchment paper.
Rebecca says
I’m so glad you enjoyed them, Gretchen!
Skb says
Has anyone frozen these after making them?
Robin says
I was looking for this answer too!
Robin says
Wow auto correct sure did mess that one up! I meant to say- I was looking for the answer to that question too.