Description
Savory cheese muffins deliver a delightful explosion of sharp cheddar and herbs in every bite. Golden-brown and irresistibly tender, these muffins promise a quick, satisfying snack you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups (200g / 7 oz) grated cheddar cheese
- 2 cups (300g / 10.5 oz) plain flour (all-purpose flour)
- 1 cup milk (full-fat or low-fat)
Dairy and Egg Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons (50g / 1.75 oz) salted butter (or unsalted with a pinch of salt)
- ¼ cup (60g / 2 oz) sour cream (or plain yogurt)
- 1 large egg (about 60g / 2 oz), lightly whisked
Seasoning and Flavoring Ingredients:
- 3 garlic cloves, crushed
- ¼ cup finely chopped fresh parsley
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda (bi-carb soda)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup (85ml / 2.9 fl oz) vegetable oil (or any neutral-flavored oil, not olive oil)
Instructions
- Create a mise en place by preheating the oven to 180°C/350°F and preparing a 12-hole muffin tin with a fragrant garlic butter coating.
- Melt butter in a microwave-safe bowl, infusing it with crushed garlic. Generously brush the muffin tin cavities, reserving some of the aromatic butter for later.
- Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large mixing bowl, ensuring a smooth, lump-free dry mixture.
- Whisk egg, milk, sour cream, vegetable oil, chopped parsley, and additional crushed garlic in a separate bowl until thoroughly blended.
- Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry mixture, using a minimal number of strokes to maintain the batter’s delicate texture. Carefully incorporate grated cheddar cheese, being careful not to overmix.
- Distribute the batter evenly among 11 muffin holes, allowing the thick mixture to settle naturally without excessive manipulation.
- Bake for 22-25 minutes until the muffins develop a golden, crisp exterior and exhibit a springy center when lightly pressed.
- Transfer the freshly baked muffins to a cooling rack and lavish the tops with the remaining garlic butter, reheating if necessary. Allow to cool briefly before serving for optimal flavor and texture.
Notes
- Precise oven temperature matters for achieving the perfect golden, crusty exterior while maintaining a soft, tender crumb.
- Gentle mixing is crucial – overmixing will create tough, dense muffins instead of light, fluffy ones.
- Generously brushing the muffin tin with garlic butter ensures easy removal and adds an extra layer of flavor.
- The batter should look slightly lumpy and not completely smooth, which is a sign of proper, minimal mixing.
- Immediately brushing warm muffins with reserved garlic butter intensifies the aromatic garlic flavor and adds a beautiful sheen.
- Serve these muffins warm for the most enjoyable texture and most pronounced cheese and garlic notes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 40mg