Cherry Lemon Muffins with Crumb Topping

Delight in these Cherry Lemon Muffins, where the zesty freshness of lemon meets the sweet juiciness of fresh cherries, topped with a crunchy crumb topping. These muffins are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as a snack, offering a burst of flavor and a satisfying texture with every bite. The combination of lemon zest and vanilla extract enriches the batter, while the sour cream ensures each muffin is moist and tender. Follow this recipe to create a batch of muffins that are sure to impress!

Why You’ll Love This: These Cherry Lemon Muffins are a treat for several reasons:

1. Flavorful Combination: The tartness of lemon paired with the sweetness of cherries provides a balanced and refreshing flavor profile.
2. Crumbly Topping: A sweet, buttery crumb topping adds a delightful texture contrast to the soft muffins.
3. Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a morning treat or an afternoon pick-me-up, these muffins fit beautifully into any culinary setting.

Perfect Occasion:

• Morning Meetings: Serve these muffins during a breakfast meeting to brighten everyone’s day.
• Afternoon Tea: They are a fantastic accompaniment to tea or coffee in the afternoon.
• Weekend Brunch: Make these a part of your weekend brunch spread; they’re sure to be a hit!

Decoration Tips:

• Dust with Powdered Sugar: Before serving, give the muffins a light dusting of powdered sugar for a sweet finish.
• Add Fresh Berries: Top each muffin with fresh berries or a cherry for a colorful presentation.
• Serve with Lemon Curd: Offer a side of lemon curd for dipping or spreading for extra lemony zest.

Ingredients:

For the Topping:

• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 6 tbsp sugar
• Pinch of fine sea salt
• 1/4 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed

For the Muffins:

• 1 1/2 cups fresh sweet cherries, pitted and chopped (1/4”-3/8” pieces)
• 1 cup plus 1 tbsp sugar, divided
• 2 1/4 cups (288g) all-purpose flour, sifted
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• Zest of 2 medium-sized lemons
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp pure lemon extract
• 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup sour cream

Recipe:

1. Prepare the Topping:
   • In a medium bowl, whisk flour, sugar, and salt together. Work in the butter with your fingertips until the mixture resembles wet sand. Press together to form chunks. Refrigerate until ready to use.
2. Macreate the Cherries:
   • Combine cherries and 1 tbsp of sugar in a medium bowl. Let stand for 30 minutes, then drain, reserving the juice.
3. Prepare the Muffin Batter:
   • Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 12-serving muffin pan with tulip muffin liners.
   • In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
   • In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter, 1 cup of sugar, and lemon zest until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then the extracts. Alternately mix in the flour mixture and sour cream, starting and ending with flour. Fold in most of the chopped cherries, reserving a few for topping.
4. Bake the Muffins:
   • Divide the batter evenly among the muffin liners. Top each with reserved cherries and the prepared crumb topping.
   • Bake at 375°F for 5 minutes, then reduce the oven temperature to 350°F and continue baking for 12-17 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the centers comes out clean.
   • Let the muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Enjoy these scrumptious Cherry Lemon Muffins, a delightful treat that combines the best of sweet and tart flavors, topped with a deliciously textured crumb. Perfect for any day and any occasion!