Store bought muffin mixes provide a quick and easy way to bake delicious muffins. However, basic muffin mixes can get boring after a while. An easy way to jazz up store bought mixes is by adding extra ingredients to make the muffins more flavorful, moist, and visually appealing. With a few simple additions, you can transform basic muffins into bakery-worthy creations. Keep reading to learn tips, tricks and recipes for dressing up boxed muffin mixes.
Add Fresh or Dried Fruit
One of the easiest ways to increase the appeal of packaged muffin mixes is to stir in some fruit. The fruit provides extra flavor, moisture, color and texture. Here are some tasty fruit options to mix in:
- Fresh berries like blueberries, raspberries or chopped strawberries
- Chopped apples, pears or peaches
- Dried fruit like raisins, cranberries, cherries or apricots
- Mashed banana or pumpkin puree
- Zest from citrus fruits like orange, lemon or lime
Aim for around 1 cup of fresh or dried fruit per muffin mix package. Toss the fruit pieces gently in flour before adding them to the batter. This prevents them from sinking to the bottom while baking. If using juicy fruits like berries, you may want to dust them with a little flour or cornstarch first. This absorbs any excess moisture and prevents muffin batters from becoming too thin.
Include Nuts or Seeds
Nuts and seeds complement fruit flavors beautifully in muffins. They also provide crunch and richness. Some tasty mix-ins include:
- Chopped walnuts, pecans, almonds, hazelnuts or pistachios
- Nut butter like almond or peanut butter
- Sunflower, pumpkin or sesame seeds
- Flaxseed or chia seeds
- Shredded coconut
Measure out around 1⁄2 to 1 cup of nuts or seeds per package of muffin mix. Make sure to toast nuts and seeds for extra flavor. You can also use nut flours, like almond or coconut flour to add moisture and texture.
Stir in Chocolate Chips or Chunks
What’s better than chocolate chip muffins straight from the oven? Melted chocolate chips create pockets of rich, sweet flavor in muffins. Mini chocolate chips work well as they distribute evenly throughout the batter. You can also chop dark chocolate bars into chunks for a more intense chocolate experience.
Use about 1 cup of chocolate chips or chunks per package of muffin mix. Opt for semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate rather than milk or white chocolate. The higher cacao content provides richer chocolate taste.
Include Spices and Herbs
Spices and herbs are an easy way to add extra dimension to packaged muffin mixes. Things like cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger add warmth, while herbs provide fresh floral flavor. Try these tasty spice and herb combinations:
- 1-2 teaspoons cinnamon in banana, vanilla or chocolate muffins
- 1⁄4 teaspoon nutmeg in pumpkin or banana muffins
- 1⁄4 cup minced fresh ginger or 1 teaspoon ground ginger in apple or pear muffins
- 1 tablespoon lemon or orange zest in berry or corn muffins
- 1-2 teaspoons vanilla extract in any flavor muffins
- 1⁄4 cup minced fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary in cheese, corn or savory muffins
Make sure spices and dried herbs are well incorporated into the dry muffin mix before adding the wet ingredients. For fresh herbs, gently fold them into the finished batter.
Include Vegetables
Vegetables add moisture, texture, flavor and nutrients to muffins made from mixes. Try adding:
- Shredded zucchini or carrots
- Thawed frozen spinach or kale
- Corn kernels
- Diced sun-dried tomatoes
- Roasted red peppers
Aim for around 1 cup of vegetables per muffin mix package. Make sure to drain excess moisture from fresh veggies before mixing them into the batter.
Swap out Oil for Yogurt or Applesauce
Replacing some or all of the oil in muffin mix recipes with yogurt or unsweetened applesauce makes the muffins extra moist. The yogurt or applesauce also makes the texture lighter. Swap out up to half of the oil for an equal amount of yogurt or applesauce.
Use Different Types of Milk
Substitute regular milk for non-dairy milks like almond, oat or soy milk. For richer flavor, try using lactose-free milk, buttermilk or evaporated milk. You can also use fruit juices like apple juice or orange juice in place of milk.
Fold in Sweet Treats
For more decadence, mix sweet treats into your muffin batter:
- Chopped candies like chocolate bars, toffee, caramels or candy canes
- Sprinkles, crushed cookies or granola for texture
- Shredded coconut for tropical flavor
- Dulce de leche or Nutella swirled into the batter
Use a light hand when adding sweet mix-ins, about 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 cup per package of muffin mix. Too much can make the muffins overly sweet.
Make Streusel, Crumb or Crumble Topping
A deliciously crisp streusel, crumb or crumble topping adds interest to your store-bought muffins. Simply combine the following in a bowl until mixture forms crumbs:
- 1⁄4 cup brown sugar, white sugar or maple syrup
- 1⁄4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- Pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg (optional)
- 1⁄4 cup nuts, oats or coconut (optional)
Sprinkle the streusel mixture evenly over the muffin batter before baking. The topping will become crispy and caramelized during baking.
Glaze or Drizzle with Icing
For fancy muffins, top them off with a sweet glaze or drizzle. Stir powdered sugar and milk or citrus juice together until smooth and pourable. Flavor with extracts, cocoa powder or zest. You can also dress up cooled muffins with ready-made icings. Opt for cream cheese, chocolate, lemon or fruit flavored icings.
Shape Batter Into Muffin Tops
For a fun look, use a scoop to shape the muffin batter into muffin tops. Heap the batter into mounds on the muffin tin, creating tops with no bottoms. Bake as directed until cooked through. Kids will love these jelly-looking muffin tops!
Make Mini Muffins
Use mini or jumbo muffin tins to create bite-sized or mega muffins from mix. Adjust bake times down for mini muffins and up for jumbo muffins as needed. Mini muffins are perfect for kids or parties, while jumbo muffins make great on-the-go breakfasts.
Recipes for Dressing Up Box Mixes
Now that you know how to customize muffin mixes, here are some delicious recipe ideas to try:
Berry Streusel Muffins
Ingredients:
- 1 box blueberry muffin mix
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- 1⁄2 cup chopped walnuts
- Streusel Topping (see above)
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to package directions. Line 12 muffin cups with liners.
- Make blueberry muffin batter as directed on box. Fold in fresh blueberries and walnuts.
- Divide batter evenly among muffin cups.
- Sprinkle streusel topping evenly over muffins.
- Bake according to package instructions until golden and cooked through.
- Let cool 10 minutes before serving.
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
Ingredients:
- 1 box spice cake muffin mix
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1⁄2 cup chocolate chips
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to package instructions. Line 12 muffin cups with liners.
- Make muffin batter as directed, substituting pumpkin puree for oil or water.
- Stir in chocolate chips and pumpkin pie spice.
- Divide batter evenly into muffin cups.
- Bake according to package directions until set in center.
- Cool 10 minutes before serving.
Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins
Ingredients:
- 1 box lemon or vanilla muffin mix
- zest from 1 lemon
- 1⁄4 cup lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons poppy seeds
- 1⁄4 cup sugar
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to package instructions. Line 12 muffin cups with liners.
- Make muffin batter as directed, substituting lemon juice for milk.
- Stir in lemon zest and poppy seeds.
- In a small bowl, combine sugar and lemon juice. Microwave 30 seconds until syrupy.
- Divide batter among muffin cups. Drizzle lemon syrup over tops.
- Bake according to package directions until golden brown.
- Let cool 10 minutes before serving.
Carrot Cake Oatmeal Muffins
Ingredients:
- 1 box oatmeal muffin mix
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1⁄2 cup raisins or chopped walnuts
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1⁄4 teaspoon nutmeg
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to package instructions. Line 12 muffin cups with liners.
- Make muffin batter as directed, stirring in carrots, raisins, cinnamon and nutmeg.
- Divide batter evenly into prepared muffin cups.
- Bake according to package directions until tops spring back when touched.
- Cool 10 minutes before serving.
Tips for Perfect Dressed Up Muffins
Follow these tips for bakery-worthy muffins made from mixes:
- Don’t overmix – Gently stir wet and dry ingredients just until blended.
- Portion evenly – Use a scoop or scale for uniform muffins.
- Don’t overfill – Leave at least 1⁄2 inch room at the top for rising.
- Opt for liners – They prevent sticking and help muffins hold their shape.
- Rotate pans – This ensures even baking.
- Check at minimum time – Insert a toothpick to test for doneness.
- Cool properly – Let muffins rest in pan 10 minutes before removing.
- Store in airtight container – Keeps muffins fresh for up to 5 days.
- Freeze for longer storage – Thaw at room temp or refresh in oven.
Conclusion
Dressing up basic muffin mixes is an easy way to create bakery-style treats at home. With a few extra ingredients like fruit, nuts, chocolate, spices and toppings, you can take boxed mixes from boring to brilliant. Follow the recipe ideas and tips in this article to whip up crowd-pleasing muffins with gourmet flair. So next time you bake with a store bought mix, take it up a notch with your own personalized touches.
