Blackberry Muffins with Streusel Topping

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This homemade blackberry muffin recipe is our favorite! These moist blackberry muffins have the perfect balance of sweet and tart, with a fluffy, buttery texture, and are filled with juicy blackberries!

Muffins were one of the first recipes we made in my food science course in college. Being a Home Economics major, we needed to know how to make a good muffin and the science behind it.

Blackberry muffins with fresh blackberries.

If only then did I know that adding cardamom and orange zest adds an extra depth of flavor that makes muffins magical. To top it off, they are finished with a crunchy, sweet streusel topping that adds the perfect textural contrast.

If you’re looking for more muffin recipes, check out our cranberry orange muffins, monkey bread muffins, pistachio muffins, blueberry muffins, and blueberry banana muffins!

Enjoy these muffins warm and straight from the oven for a truly indulgent experience! They make an excellent snack or dessert and will be enjoyed by all.

Why you’ll love this recipe:

Makes a very moist muffin with a fluffy texture.

Easy breakfast and brunch recipe to make.

Adding cardamom, orange zest, and streusel topping makes these muffins unique. We use cardamom in our apple cider donuts and it adds SO much flavor!

This recipe works and it’s easy to make.

How to Make Homemade Blackberry Muffins

We will cover everything you need to know to make the best muffins, answer frequently asked questions, and share our expert tips for recipe success.

If you prefer to go straight to the recipe, scroll to the bottom of the post where you’ll find the recipe card and measurements.

Supplies

Here are a few supplies you’ll need to make these muffins:

Large Bowl

Muffin Pan and Paper Liners

Rubber Spatula

Measuring Cups and Spoons

Blackberries, eggs, sugar, buttermilk, orange zest, flour, oil and spices in small bowls.

Ingredient Notes

All-Purpose Flour – This adds structure to the muffins. You can also try whole wheat flour or gluten-free flour too. Be sure to measure the flour correctly when baking.

Baking Powder – This helps the muffins rise and become light and fluffy.

Salt – This adds flavor to the muffins.

Sugar – This sweetens the muffins and makes them extra delicious.

Eggs – This helps give structure to the muffins.

Vanilla Extract – This adds a sweet and fragrant flavor to the muffins.

Buttermilk – This helps keep the muffins moist and tender.

Canola Oil or Vegetable Oil – This helps the muffins stay moist.

Unsalted Butter – This adds richness and flavor to the muffins.

Cardamom – This adds a sweet and savory flavor to the muffins.

Orange Zest – This adds a hint of citrusy flavor. You can also use lemon zest to make lemon blackberry muffins.

Fresh Blackberries – This makes the muffins juicy and flavorful. Use plump blackberries that are fresh and delicious!

Streusel Topping adds a crunchy, sweet topping to the fluffy muffins.

Tips for Making Muffins

Before you start baking, here are some tips to help you make the best muffins:

Make sure all your ingredients are at room temperature before you start.

Use fresh blackberries that are ripe and sweet for the best flavor and texture.

Don’t over-mix the batter or the muffins will be tough. You want to just mix until the ingredients are combined, but the batter is still lumpy. Muffin batter should always have lumps.

Use a cookie scooper to make evenly-sized muffins.

Let the muffins cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.

Enjoy the muffins warm for the best flavor and texture!

Serving these to a crowd? No problem! Make a double batch for extra muffins!

Baking time will vary, so check the muffins after 10 minutes to see if they have risen and if they have a golden brown color.

Blackberry Muffins Recipe Variations

Add chopped nuts or chocolate chips to the batter.

Use other seasonal fruits such as raspberries, blueberries, or strawberries.

Replace the cardamom with ground cinnamon or nutmeg.

Swap out the orange zest for lemon zest for a different flavor profile.

Add a glaze or frosting to the top of the muffins for an extra sweet treat.

For gluten-free blackberry muffins, use gluten-free 1-to-1 baking flour.

You can use frozen blackberries for this recipe too, however, it will change the baking time and texture of the muffins.

Easy muffins with blackberries and a streusel topping.

How to Store Blackberry Muffins

If you have leftover muffins, there are a few ways to store them:

Room Temperature

The muffins can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.

Freezing

For longer storage, freeze the muffins for up to 3 months. Let them thaw before serving.

Reheating

To reheat, pop them in the microwave for 30 seconds or until warm.

What to Serve

These muffins are perfect for breakfast, brunch, snack, or dessert. Serve them with butter or blackberry jam. They also go great with hot tea, cold milk, or coffee. Here are some delicious dishes you can serve with these muffins:

A muffin with blackberries over the top.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I substitute blackberries for blueberries in muffins?

You can substitute blueberries for blackberries in muffin recipes. The flavor and texture will be slightly different, but it still makes a delicious treat! Be sure to use fresh blueberries instead of frozen, and adjust the amount of sugar depending on how sweet your blueberries are.

How can I make my muffins moister?

These muffins are already very moist because it uses buttermilk, eggs, oil, and melted butter. You must also ensure you’re using fresh ingredients and not over-mixing your batter. Add an extra tablespoon of oil or melted butter to moisten your muffins.

Can I make muffins ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the muffin batter ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to two days before baking. When ready to bake the muffins, let the batter come to room temperature before scooping it into the muffin tin.

Can I make these muffins vegan?

Yes! You can replace the eggs with a flax egg and use vegan butter or coconut oil instead of regular butter. Ensure to use non-dairy milk such as almond, oat or coconut milk instead of buttermilk.

What temperature is best to bake muffins?

We bake our muffins at 425 degrees. This allows for a rapid rise and less cooking time for a super moist muffin. Many recipes will tell you to turn the temperature down to 375 after 5 minutes, but that is not necessary with this recipe. Pop them in the oven at 425 degrees and bake for 15 minutes.

What type of flour is best for muffins?

The best flour to use for muffins is the all-purpose flour in this recipe. This provides structure and a light texture. You can also use a combination of all-purpose and whole wheat flour if desired.