Simple vanilla muffin recipe

These vanilla muffins are moist and fluffy and made with simple ingredients that you may have in your pantry. They are packed with vanilla flavor and are perfect for any occasion or morning breakfast.

Even though I may not consider myself a skilled baker, the simplicity of making muffins and the happiness of eaters make it worthwhile. I just recently made them for my son’s birthday party, and they were hit with all the kids and adults alike.

The beauty of these vanilla muffins is that they are incredibly easy to make, packed with rich vanilla flavor, and easy to freeze and reheat, which makes them a great make-ahead option.
This easy muffin recipe is perfect for people that love vanilla and find these vanilla muffins a delicious treat.

Easy vanilla muffin recipe Ingredients

Vanilla.

Vanilla seeds from pods provide a more intense and complex vanilla flavor. You can obtain them by scraping the inside of a vanilla bean with the back of a knife or spoon and adding them to the muffin batter. It also gives the muffins small flecks of vanilla bean for visual appeal. However, vanilla beans can be more expensive and harder to find than pure vanilla essence or paste. You can choose any vanilla you have at your hands.

Brown Sugar.

Brown sugar provides a richer, more complex flavor and contributes to the muffins’ moisture and tenderness. But you can use white granulated sugar too.

Butter.

I prefer to use unsalted butter to have more control over the amount of salt that goes into the muffins.

Eggs.

Eggs are an important binding agent that helps hold the ingredients together and create a cohesive batter.

Buttermilk 

Because its acidic nature, buttermilk helps to activate the leavening agents in the recipe, resulting in a lighter and fluffier muffin with a slightly tangy flavor. You can replace it with sour cream or yogurt. 

Salt. 

Salt can enhance the flavor and balance the sweetness of the muffins. However, suppose you are trying to limit your sodium intake or prefer a low-salt diet. In that case, you can omit the salt without affecting the texture or structure of the muffins.

Flour. 

All-purpose flour balances protein and starch, resulting in a tender and fluffy texture without making the muffins too dense or heavy. You can also use whole wheat flour.

Baking powder and baking soda

Using both baking powder and baking soda helps create a quick rise and light texture.

See the recipe card for quantities.

Moist and fluffy vanilla muffins recipe

First step – Preheat the oven.

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a standard-size, 12-hole muffin pan with paper liners.

Second step – Get vanilla seeds

Cut the bean lengthwise with a small sharp knife and use either the back of the knife or a spoon to remove all of the small black seeds.  

Third step – whisk wet ingredients.

Whisk together the melted butter, eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla seeds until smooth in a large mixing bowl or an electric mixer.

Fourth step – add dry ingredients.

Add the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to the mixture and stir until just combined. Do not overmix.

Fifth step – fill liners and bake.

Fill the muffin cups about 2/3 full with batter using a spoon or cookie scoop. Bake the muffins in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes. The muffins are done when a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean. Remove the muffins from the oven and let them cool in the muffin tray for 5-10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

How to serve these perfect vanilla muffins

One of the simplest and most delicious ways to serve vanilla muffins is plain, straight out of the oven. These fluffy, buttery treats are so good that they don’t need added toppings or fillings.

To boost the vanilla flavor, you can serve them with vanilla butter on top. Then, as the butter melts into the warm muffin, its rich and creamy flavor complements the vanilla muffins perfectly.

Double the vanilla effect with vanilla milk tea.

Serve the muffins as a part of a breakfast or brunch spread with a dollop of your favorite jam or a drizzle of dandelion honey for a sweet twist. 

If you’re feeling decadent, you can top your vanilla muffins with a generous dollop of whipped cream. 

For a healthy and refreshing twist, serve them with some fresh fruit or strawberry coulis on the side. This adds a pop of color, texture, and flavor that complements the vanilla and makes the muffin feel more balanced.

You can serve them with vanilla glaze on the top, find the recipe below.

Vanilla glaze recipe for muffin tops

• powdered sugar
• buttermilk
• vanilla bean

Instructions to make the vanilla glaze

Whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a medium-sized mixing bowl until smooth and creamy. If the glaze is too thick, add more milk; if it’s too thin, add more powdered sugar until you reach the desired consistency.
Once your vanilla muffins are cool, drizzle the glaze over the top of each muffin. You can use a spoon, a pastry bag, or a plastic bag with a corner cut-off to apply the glaze.
Let the glaze set for a few minutes before serving your vanilla muffins. Enjoy!

Note: You can adjust the amount of buttermilk and powdered sugar in this recipe to make more or less glaze, depending on how many muffins you want to cover.

Substitutions

vanilla beans can be replaced with:

This homemade vanilla extract recipe has a similar flavor to vanilla beans. Use 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract for every 1 inch of vanilla bean.

Vanilla bean paste is a concentrated form of vanilla that contains ground vanilla beans, sugar, and sometimes corn syrup. It has a thick, paste-like consistency and a strong vanilla flavor. Use one teaspoon of vanilla paste for every 1 inch of vanilla bean. 

Vanilla powder is made by grinding dried vanilla beans into a fine powder. It has a concentrated flavor. Use one teaspoon of vanilla powder for every 1 inch of vanilla bean. Alternatively, use vanilla syrup or liqueur.

Buttermilk:

Sour cream or plain yogurt: 
Use an equal amount of sour cream or plain yogurt as a substitute for buttermilk. 

What makes these simple vanilla muffins so great:

• These muffins are packed with vanilla flavor, thanks to the use of high-quality pure vanilla beans.
• The combination of all-purpose flour, buttermilk, and eggs creates a moist and tender crumb, while the addition of baking powder and baking soda helps the muffins rise properly.
• This recipe is easy to follow and uses simple ingredients readily available in most kitchens.
• This recipe makes a perfect base muffin recipe that you can customize by adding ingredients such as chocolate chips, orange powder, or fruit to make them even more delicious.

How to store vanilla muffins

To store vanilla muffins, first make sure they have cooled completely to room temperature. Then, follow these steps:

Place the delicious muffins in an airtight container or a zip-top bag in a cool, dry place like a pantry or cupboard for 2-3 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the muffins. Wrap each muffin in plastic wrap, then place them in an airtight container or freezer bag. The muffins can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. When ready to eat, thaw the muffins at room temperature or warm them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.

Tips for the best vanilla muffins

Overmixing can result in tough, dry muffins. Instead, mix the batter just until the dry ingredients are incorporated.
Fill each muffin cup about 2/3 full with batter, and avoid overfilling, as this can cause the muffins to bake unevenly.
Let the muffins cool before serving: Allow them to cool in the muffin tin for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.