Simple Berry Muffins with Crumble topping

Strawberry Streusel Muffins

These are SO easy and turn out SO nicely that you'll love to make them every day! Well, maybe not every day. But the secret to a good muffin is to not overmix. For this reason, I always mix my muffins by hand. And to be honest, it transports me back in time to a simpler day. Back in the old farmhouse, I grew up in. Springtime and summertime berry muffins were always a favorite around our house.  If you're making something like a strawberry muffin, feel free to use some food coloring. I use a red velvet emulsion because its deeper!

I love what the crumble does to these muffins. And because this is a hearty muffin, structure wise, you can add just about any berry you like!

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 3/4 cups sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 2 cups flour
• 2 cups berries of choice (if strawberries, chop up)

The secret to making these is to do everything by hand.

1. Melt the butter and allow to cool to the side.
2. Mix in the sugar with the cooled butter with the milk and vanilla and then mix in the eggs, one at a time, until well incorporated.
3. Set aside.
4. Sift together the baking powder, salt and baking powder.
5. Toss the berries in the flour and remove to a separate bowl, shaking off excess flour as you go.
6. Mix the wet with the dry all in one fell swoop and fold together just to mix, allowing some of the flour to still show.
7. Add in the berries and fold just enough to mix.
8. Scoop out to 2/3 of the muffin cups
9. Bake at 375 for 20 - 25 minutes or until done in the middle.

CRUMBLE TOPPING directions

Before baking the muffins top with the below crumble:

• 1/4 cup melted butter, cooled
• 1/3 cup white sugar
• 1/3 cup light brown sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 cup flour

1. Mix together with a fork until crumbly like wet sand with lumps
2. Place on top of the uncooked muffins and bake as above.

I've also made these in mini form, plain with streusel on top. They were a big hit with the troops!