Delicious Matcha Blueberry Muffins

These matcha blueberry muffins bring together the earthy flavor of green tea with sweet bursts of blueberries for a breakfast treat that's both sophisticated and comforting. The unique combination creates a beautiful color contrast and a flavor profile that's refreshingly different from standard muffin recipes.

I discovered this recipe during a phase when I was trying to incorporate more antioxidant-rich foods into my family's diet. What started as a health-conscious experiment quickly became our favorite weekend breakfast treat, with my daughter specifically requesting the "green muffins" every Saturday morning.

Ingredients

• Room temperature butter: Gives the muffins their tender crumb and helps incorporate air for a fluffy texture
• Granulated sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create the perfect crunchy muffin top
• Room temperature egg: Binds the ingredients and adds structure to the muffins
• All purpose flour: Creates the perfect muffin texture without being too dense or too airy
• Culinary grade matcha powder: Provides the distinctive color and earthy flavor that makes these muffins special
• Dry milk powder: Enhances the richness and helps create a tender crumb
• Baking powder: Ensures a proper rise without overwhelming leavening
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all other flavors
• Room temperature water: Adds moisture without competing with the matcha flavor
• Vanilla extract: Complements both the matcha and blueberry flavors
• Fresh blueberries: Provide bursts of juicy sweetness throughout the muffins

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare your oven and tin:

Preheat your oven to 400°F and thoroughly grease your muffin tin, making sure to leave empty spaces between each muffin to ensure even baking and prevent them from growing into each other.

Create the base:

Beat the butter and sugar together on high speed until light and creamy, about 2-3 minutes. This creates the foundation for a tender muffin and incorporates air for proper rising.

Add the egg:

Mix in your room temperature egg at medium speed until fully incorporated. The egg adds structure and richness to the muffins, so ensure it's completely mixed in without overmixing.

Combine dry and wet ingredients:

Add all remaining ingredients except blueberries – flour, matcha, milk powder, baking powder, salt, water, and vanilla extract – and mix on medium speed until just combined. The batter should be smooth but not overmixed to avoid tough muffins.

Incorporate crushed blueberries:

Gently crush half of your blueberries and fold them into the batter. These crushed berries will distribute the blueberry flavor throughout each bite and create beautiful purple streaks in the green batter.

Add whole blueberries:

Carefully fold in the remaining whole blueberries using a silicone spatula. These whole berries will create juicy pockets of flavor throughout the muffins when baked.

Fill muffin tins:

Scoop the batter evenly into the prepared muffin tin, filling each cavity about 3/4 full to allow room for rising while baking.

Rest the batter:

Allow the batter to rest in the muffin tin for 45 minutes at room temperature. This crucial step allows the flour to fully hydrate and the muffins to develop the perfect texture.

Add sugar topping:

Just before baking, sprinkle each muffin generously with granulated sugar to create a delightfully crisp, sweet top crust that contrasts beautifully with the tender interior.

Bake to perfection:

Bake at 400°F for exactly 20 minutes or until the tops are lightly browned and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.

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The matcha is truly the star ingredient in this recipe. I discovered that culinary-grade matcha works much better than ceremonial grade for baking. The first time I made these for my mother-in-law who claimed to dislike green tea, she ended up asking for the recipe before she left our house. The earthiness of the matcha beautifully balances the sweetness of the berries.

Why Crush Some Blueberries

Crushing half the blueberries might seem like an unusual step, but it serves an important purpose. The crushed berries infuse the entire batter with blueberry flavor and create beautiful purple streaks throughout the green matcha batter. Meanwhile, the whole berries provide those delightful juicy pockets we all love in a good blueberry muffin. This technique ensures you get blueberry flavor in every bite, not just when you happen to hit a whole berry.

Matcha Quality Matters

The quality of your matcha powder significantly impacts these muffins. Look for culinary-grade matcha that has a vibrant green color without being overly bitter. Ceremonial grade matcha is designed for drinking and can be too delicate and expensive for baking. A good culinary matcha will have a strong green tea flavor that holds up during baking. For the freshest flavor, store your matcha in an airtight container in the refrigerator and use within a few months of opening.

Serving Suggestions

These muffins shine when served slightly warm with a small pat of salted butter that melts into the tender crumb. For a more decadent treat, drizzle them with a simple glaze made from powdered sugar, a touch of matcha, and a few drops of milk. They pair beautifully with a cup of lightly sweetened green tea or a frothy matcha latte. For a complete breakfast, serve alongside fresh fruit and plain yogurt to balance the sweetness of the muffins.

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Recipe FAQs

→ What makes these muffins unique?

The addition of matcha powder gives them a vibrant green color and a subtle earthy flavor that pairs perfectly with the sweetness of blueberries.

→ Can I use frozen blueberries?

Yes, you can use frozen blueberries. Just make sure to thaw and drain them before mixing into the batter to avoid extra moisture.

→ How do I ensure the muffins stay moist?

Resting the batter for 45 minutes before baking helps improve the texture, while using fresh, room-temperature ingredients maintains moisture.

→ Can I substitute culinary matcha with another type?

Culinary matcha works best for this recipe due to its robust flavor, but you can use ceremonial matcha for a milder taste.

→ Do I need a stand mixer for this recipe?

A stand mixer is helpful for even mixing but not necessary. You can use a hand mixer or mix by hand if needed.

→ How should I store leftover muffins?

Store muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week. For longer storage, freeze them.