Alton Brown’s Blueberry Muffins
Though some of my ‘real life’ friends don’t understand how I find baking and cooking so relaxing (one friend became quite upset when I suggested we cook dinner together “for fun”), the truth is that nothing quiets my mind as much as puttering around the kitchen. So, with a crazy-busy week ahead of me, this afternoon I decided to make three things that are bound to add a bit of ease to my schedule: Alton Brown’s blueberry muffins, peach cream popsicles, and coconut popsicles. I figure, if I have to get up at 4:30am on Monday & Tuesday I need a major muffin to go with my coffee as I stumble onto the train. And naturally, when I get home in the evening a refreshing homemade popsicle is the perfect end to a long summer day spent working in the city. Am I right, or am I right?
The recipe for Alton Brown’s blueberry muffins can be found here. I follow the recipe pretty much to the T, with the minor exceptions of substituting olive oil for vegetable oil, reducing the 1 tablespoon of flour mix added to the berries to 1/2 tablespoon, and baking the muffins in jumbo tins (which requires a 5-10 min increase in baking time). Like AB’s French toast, these muffins added an extra dash of harmony to my marriage. My husband is a self-described “blueberry muffin connoisseur” and was unhappy with every single muffin recipe I tried for almost two years – until I made this one. No kidding. I must have experimented with at least 20 different recipes, hoping each time that this would be the day – at last! – when the muffins satisfied his discerning tastes. But they were always “too healthy tasting,” or the texture was “off,” or they were just “eh.” Then AB swooped in and gave me a sure-fire recipe that pleases every time. Just what a gal needs when a busy week’s ahead, or, when she needs to butter up the hubby before proposing spending a day at the spa. 
As for the popsicles, well those are just a treat aren’t they? I remember when I was a kid my mother and I would make popsicles on hot days like this one. They weren’t as fancy as the ones I made this afternoon, but boy were they good! There was nothing like the anticipation of waiting for them to freeze, then running out to the porch where we would enjoy the pops in the hot summer sun. When my brother came along we included him in this ritual, and when juice streamed down our chins my mom would turn the hose on and chase us around the yard with the cool water, all of us laughing. Ah, those were the days.
You may have noticed that there is no recipe included in this post (aside from the link to AB’s muffin recipe). There is a reason for this, and that is: a game! Both of the popsicles I made this afternoon came from a delightful new book entitled “Pops! Icy Treats for Everyone” by Krystina Castella. I have two copies of this book to give away – one provided by the generous folks over at Quirk Books, and the other provided by myself, because this book is simply too fabulous to give away only one copy. If you’d like a chance to win one, simply comment on this post and answer the following question:
- “Which popsicle recipe would you like me to share, the one for peach cream popsicles or the one for coconut popsicles?”
The winner’s name will be randomly selected & posted by Saturday, July 26th (maybe earlier) along with the recipe that received the most votes and a review of the book. Only comments that answer the question will be entered in the game.
Until then, have a great week!
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171 Responses to “Alton Brown’s Blueberry Muffins”
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Hi Ari, I also love to be in the kitchen,
I also find it relaxing and fun 
I must try this recipe for muffins, if you have been trying for so long, and you are such a good cook, and its only now that your hubby found a recipe that satisfies his appetite 
I must say I have never tried any recipe by AB, so this one sounds like a yummy enticement.
By the way, I love Popsicles and I would love to vote for the coconut flavour recipe.
peach cream popsicles sound divine!!
definitely coconut!
Coconut please….YUMMY!
COCONUT, no question about it!:)
Mansi’s last blog post -> Strawberry Dessert Pudding – Baked Light & Sweet
Coconut Popsicles sound delicious. I’m casting my vote for those. Summer theme indeed.
Congrats on finally finding a winning blueberry muffin recipe
Adam’s last blog post -> Tag… I’m it
Definately Peach Cream… sounds so devine.
Im exactly the same, none of my RL friends get the cooking/baking addiction. They do love the free food though haha.
As much as I love coconut, my vote is for the peach cream. Peaches are in season right now and there is nothing better then a cold fresh peach. Inless it’s a cold peach and cream popsicle
I love me some COCONUT!
peach cream!! they sound better as popsicles…:P
Nothing says summer like peach flavored anything! So I vote for peach.
thanks for emailing me about this giveaway, i would love to win the book!
i would love to see the peach cream recipe, though BOTH sound amazing!!
Jaime’s last blog post -> TWD: Cherry Rhubarb Cobbler
I think a combination of peach cream and coconut could be delicious – fill the mold halfway with coconut, let it set in the freezer for a bit, and then fill it the rest of the way with peach cream.
But, if I had to pick just one, I would pick peach cream.
Absolutely the peach cream.
: )
Oh the coconut please!
Blueberry muffins are my fav!
Ooh what a cute book! Iam going to vote for cool and creamy peach cream popsicles! Mmm!
Coconut!
peach cream please!
I made Alton’s blueberry muffins too and they were delicious. mmm…I think I’ll make some more tonight…
Irene’s last blog post -> Summer Fruit Tart
Those muffins sure do look like they would be surefire goodness!
I think my vote is going to have to be for the peach cream popsicles – I’ve had a fierce craving for peaches lately!
Holly’s last blog post -> GWW: Noodle Ring with Creamed Chicken
I HAVE to try those muffins this weekend! Blueberry muffins are one of my husband’s favorite things on earth, and he’s about to take the bar exam, so I think it would get him to crack a smile!
My vote is for the coconut popsicles.
I’d like to see a recipe for the peach cream popsicles. They sound like summer.
They both sound so good, but if I had to pick one-coconut!
Leilani’s last blog post -> Car Seat
coconut please!
i also use baking and cooking as a way to relax after a tough week. its amazing how concentrating on creating something yummy can keep your mind off more stressful matters.
as for the recipe: the coconut ! it sounds interestingly subtle and refreshing for the warm weather.
Please share the peach cream, it sounds heavenly! And thanks for the link to AB’s Blueberry Muffins, I love blueberries.
I can’t wait to see which recipe wins. This is fun!
LyB’s last blog post -> Tuesdays With Dorie – Cherry Rhubarb Cobbler
Peach cream, please!
Vicki’s last blog post -> Tasty Deliciousness for Dinner
Peach Cream, definitely. Thanks for your wonderful posts.
oooohhh…coconut for sure!!! Mmm… the blueberry muffins look amazing!
AmySATX’s last blog post -> A Good Monday
Peach cream! Wait, no, coconut!
My vote is for both, but in a pinch, peach cream has the teensiest edge over coconut.
as i hold steadfast allegiance to the coconute frozefruit, a treat that is good enough, i hope that you can share the peach cream pop–it’s not something you come across everyday!
Peach. Never have been much of a coconut person, unless it is fried in butter and brown sugar. Maybe you could freeze that concoction?
Oooh…definitely coconut. I love it so much and my boyfriend is a big fan so it’s sure to be a hit. Fingers crossed that I win!
Alejandra’s last blog post -> Is this why they call them BEET-les?
Coconut!!!! I love coconut. I would also love one of those muffins. Yum.
peach please!
I would like for you to share the coconut popsicle recipe and win the book so that I can experiment on my own….the other day in the Washington Heights section of NYC, a dominican lady was selling delicious sweet potatoe popsicles and they were so delicious, creamy and refreshing at the same time!!!
Definitely coconut! My husband and daughter both hate anything coconut, so if I made them, I could eat them all by my self.
BTW, as a coincidence, I was making blueberry pancakes on the weekend and when I turned on the TV to watch Food Network Canada, who should be on but good old Alton making all things (including those great muffins) blueberry. I was thrilled because blueberries are my all time favourite berry.
Oh, I’ve made those muffins before
Good choice – they’re definitely one of the most texturally spot on I’ve come across…
Oh, and I’d loooove to see a recipe for those peach cream pops of yours…;) I’m dying of the heat out here.
Jazz’s last blog post -> Like sugary gum – and a layered cake
I vote for Coconut pops!
Coconut, coz you can make it all year round and pina colada seems heaven right now
Share the peach cream recipe!
Laurel’s last blog post -> The stars at night
The peach one please. I have got some peaches left and like to turn it into something delectable.
Coconut! I love coconut frozen treats.
rachel’s last blog post -> Crispy Old Bay Shrimp
I once made blueberry muffins and, like your hubby, was pretty disappointed with the result. Looking at these beauties you baked is inspiring – I think I should give them another try!
Patricia Scarpin’s last blog post -> Passion fruit, almond and poppy seed cake
Oh yay! Games! I vote for the coconut pop recipe!
Gorgeous muffins btw
joey’s last blog post -> Our First Paella
Without a doubt, peach cream! Yummmm!
Do I have to choose? Couldn’t I just take one lick off of one, then the other? Or make some weird hybrid popsicle with peach and coconut layers?
Okay, if I really must choose…coconut. No, peach. No, coconut. And that is my final answer.
Gorgeous blueberry muffins!!
I’m kind of a two scoop sorta gal…mainly because I can never decide. If I HAD to pick, I’d say the coconut pops!
Coconut pops — yum!!!!! The blueberry muffins look delicious — double yum!
Ouch, this is a hard one….I think the image of an aggrandized Coconut FrozFruit wins out though!
Peach cream popsicles (and one of those muffins!) for me, please!!
My vote’s for coconut!
I’d like coconut because we’re not in peach season … but I love peaches too!!!
Wow! Those blueberry muffins look scrumptious and fruity ( Much unlike those at McDonald’s; they tend to skimp-out on the blueberries). Oh and as for the popsicle recipe, I’m a coconut gal myself. I love anything coconuty… especially in the summer-time, kind of makes me feel like I’m on a tropical vacation somewhere
Definitely peach!
Absolutely coconut! I love anything tropical.
Coconut please!
I find each and every Alton Brown recipe to be the ultimate in it’s genre.
e’s last blog post -> Cantina Dos Segundos
I would say peaches and cream because although coconut sounds good, I’m in a peachy mood
I’m a texan girl, and nothing sounds better than some peach pops with some fresh fredricksburg peaches.
Hmmm…I love peaches & cream, but coconut is my all-time favorite! I hope you post the coconut popsicle recipe! Please!
Min’s last blog post -> Carrot Salad
Icy treats! pick me! pick me!
Hard to pick, but I’ll go for the peach cream. The book sounds good!
definitly peach cream…..if it were january i would go for coconut!
The coconut recipe for me.
I agree with the peach cream crowd. Being summertime, what’s better than cool refreshing peaches & cream!
Sarah’s last blog post -> The Lonely Mime (Part 1)
Coconut please! I’m coco for coconut.
Is that how you spell coco, as in crazy? I’m on a food site here and now it looks like coco as in “chocolate” to me… it’s Friday and I’m all confused, lol.
Peach please.
I just bought a box of Organic Peahes from my CSA. Iplan to start canning them. Peach Mason Jar cake, or Peach cream popsicles, you decide.
Peach Cream. I cannot stand coconut.
Julie Schaeffer’s last blog post -> I’m behind. It’s two week’s worth of big bag ‘o veggies.
peach cream popsicles would be my choice. coconut is not on my list of eatables.
Bev *froggieb*’s last blog post -> KDHX — Review of HONK!
I would like to see the Peach Cream Popsicle.
Hendria’s last blog post -> Double Good Raisin Bars
Alton Brown’s blueberry muffins look really good.
I made blueberry muffins from Ian Garten book Barefoot Contessa Family Style.
Here is the link if you would like to try them. We really enjoy them.
http://canadianbakertoo.blogspot.com/2007/06/blueberry-coffee-cake-muffins_23.html
Hendria’s last blog post -> Double Good Raisin Bars
Those muffins look absolutely adorable in that basket Ari! In answer to your question, I would like to see the coconut pops – anything with coconut is a winner for me.
Helen’s last blog post -> Healthy Crust Experiment #4: Allen’s Polenta Crust.