About Time: Blueberry Muffins

The feel-good rom-com of 2013, About Time stars America’s sweetheart Rachel McAdams, Domhnall Gleeson, the ‘adorkable’ redhead from Harry Potter and Ex Machina, and Bill Nighy, an award-winning British actor (and the dad of my dreams). In the ultimate fantasy scenario, Gleeson’s character Tim Lake has inherited the ability to go back in time and fix his mistakes in life and love. 

After several missed connections, he finally meets up with Mary (Rachel McAdams) at a cafe. He’s having the time of his life as they enjoy blueberry muffins and milk until he suddenly gets sidelined by her new dorky boyfriend. But luckily for him, he can go back in time to the party where they met and steal her heart before the other guy shows up.

One of the healthiest desserts you can eat, these blueberry muffins have a small amount of sugar–which can be substituted for honey–plus lots of fiber and antioxidants. 

Yield: 2 dozen

Skill level: Easy

Equipment:

• 2 large mixing bowls
• 1 small bowl
• Wire whisk
• 2 muffin tins
• Paper cupcake liners 
• Kitchen scale
• KitchenAid electric mixer (optional)
• Sifter (optional)

Ingredients: 

• 2 ½ cups fresh blueberries
• 3/4 cup sugar (or 1/2 cup honey)
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 8 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 stick), softened at room temperature, plus 1 tablespoon for greasing muffin liners
• 2 large eggs
• 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour (4 ¼ ounces)
• ½ cup milk
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt

Crumble Topping:

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ cup granulated sugar

Directions: 

1. Preheat oven to 375° F. Fill muffin tins with paper liners and lightly grease with softened butter. In a small bowl, mix together the cinnamon and granulated sugar. Set aside.

2. Sift or mix together flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients: eggs, milk, vanilla, butter, and honey if substituting for the sugar. 

3. Combine the wet ingredients with the dry and mix with a whisk or KitchenAid electric mixer until blended. Carefully fold in the blueberries.

4. Fill the muffin tins ¾ full with batter. Sprinkle each muffin with the cinnamon and sugar mixture. Bake for 30 minutes or until the tops are golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean from the middle. Transfer to a cooling rack and enjoy with a cup of coffee or a cold glass of milk.

Fun fact: Zooey Deschanel was originally cast as Mary but dropped out due to scheduling conflicts. 

Bonus tip: We recommend enjoying these wholesome blueberry muffins while they’re still warm from the oven. Slice them in half, spread with butter, and they’ll melt in your mouth like blueberry pancakes.