Indulge in the delightful fusion of tart raspberries and creamy cheesecake with our Blissful Raspberry Cheesecake Muffins. These muffins feature a light, fluffy base with a surprise cheesecake center, each bite bursting with the fresh zing of raspberries and a hint of lemon zest. They're the perfect sweet treat that marries the freshness of fruit with the richness of cheesecake.
Why You'll Love This:
These muffins offer a unique twist on traditional breakfast pastries by incorporating a creamy cheesecake filling that complements the tartness of the raspberries. The lemon zest adds a bright note, enhancing the fruit flavors, making these muffins irresistibly delicious.
Perfect Occasion:
Ideal for brunches, afternoon tea, or as a special treat in your lunchbox. They're also fantastic for bake sales and birthday parties or as a delightful addition to any breakfast spread.
Decoration Tips:
Top each muffin with a small dollop of cream cheese and a fresh raspberry before baking for an appealing and tasty garnish. After baking, a light dusting of powdered sugar can add an extra touch of sweetness and sophistication.
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup yogurt or sour cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1 cup fresh raspberries
Cheesecake Filling:
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
Directions:
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Set your oven to 400°F (204°C). Line a muffin tin with paper liners.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, oil, yogurt or sour cream, vanilla extract, and lemon zest. Gently fold in the raspberries to avoid crushing them.
- Prepare Cheesecake Filling: In a separate bowl, mix the cream cheese with sugar until smooth.
- Assemble Muffins: Fill each muffin cup about one-third full with the muffin batter. Add a spoonful of cheesecake filling in the center, then top with more batter to cover the filling.
- Bake: Place the muffins in the oven and bake at 400°F for 5 minutes. Then reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (177°C) and continue baking for 15-18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the muffin (not the filling) comes out clean.
- Cool: Let the muffins cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Enjoy these Blissful Raspberry Cheesecake Muffins, a delightful treat that combines the tangy sweetness of raspberries with the creamy luxury of cheesecake in a wonderfully portable form!