Healthier Blackberry Muffins the Whole Fam Will Love

Not sure what to do with all those fabulous fresh berries from your recent foray to the u-pick farm or farmers market? Pull out your muffin tin and you can have a delicious and actually pretty healthy breakfast or snack ready to eat in just over 30 minutes (full recipe below). Our recipe cuts back on the fat and added sugar you typically find in baked goods, without sacrificing texture or taste.  

If you don’t have blackberries, substitute raspberries, blueberries, chopped apples, chunks of peaches, slivers of pear, or any other fruit your kiddos like. But if you do go the blackberry route, layer them in rather than mixing—unless purple muffins are exactly what your kids want.        

Applesauce and yogurt replace the oil or butter found in most muffin recipes, reducing the fat without sacrificing moisture. We suggest using unsweetened applesauce and Greek yogurt, which has more protein than regular yogurt. But you’re welcome to use any yogurt you like, including non-fat or full-fat, plain or flavored, or versions made from coconut milk, soy milk, or goat milk.

In our centers, we embrace family-style eating—encouraging children to serve themselves teaches them important social skills (like passing items, sharing, being patient, and saying “please” and “thank you”) and how to listen to their own hunger cues. Allowing them to get in on the serving action can also inspire them to try new foods. That said, we doubt you’ll have a problem finding takers for these spiced berry delights.

If you’re sitting down to a family brunch, place a platter of muffins on the table along with other dishes to round out the meal, like a bowl of scrambled eggs, a tub of yogurt, plates of uncured bacon and turkey sausage, and lots of fresh summer fruit. Then invite everyone to build their own breakfast. Sure, there will likely be some spills when children take the lead (we’re looking at you, yogurt), but also lots of smiles. 

We’re big fans of make-ahead meals and snacks—and with just a few easy steps, you can be eating these tasty muffins for months!

Make sure they cool completely—first in the pan for a few minutes and then on a wire rack. If they’re even just a tiny bit warm, they can omit heat that will cause condensation when stored in a closed container (nobody likes soggy muffins). 

The muffins actually emit moisture as they age regardless, so your second step is to include a couple paper towels in your storage container or bag—one paper towel beneath a single layer of muffins, and one on top. Seal the container and store at room temperature.

If storing for more than four days, your third step is to stash the container in the freezer—the muffins should last up to three months. To eat, let them come to room temp, or pop them in the microwave for 20 or 30 seconds.