Strawberry Donut Mini Muffins: A Sweet Twist on a Classic Treat

Strawberry donut mini muffins? Yes, you read that right! These delightful little treats combine the best of both worlds: the fluffy, moist texture of a muffin with the sweet, glazed goodness of a donut. And the addition of fresh strawberries takes them to a whole new level of deliciousness. This recipe is perfect for breakfast, brunch, a snack, or even dessert. They are incredibly easy to make, and the vibrant pink color and irresistible strawberry flavor will make them a hit with both kids and adults.

This blog post will guide you through the process of creating these amazing strawberry donut mini muffins, step-by-step. We’ll cover everything from the ingredients you’ll need to the best baking techniques to ensure perfect results every time. So, grab your mixing bowls, preheat your oven, and let’s get baking!

Why You’ll Love These Strawberry Donut Mini Muffins

Before we dive into the recipe, let’s talk about why these mini muffins are so special:

* **Easy to Make:** This recipe is straightforward and doesn’t require any fancy equipment or complicated techniques. Even beginner bakers can easily whip up a batch of these muffins.
* **Delicious Flavor:** The combination of fresh strawberries, vanilla extract, and a hint of nutmeg creates a truly irresistible flavor profile. The donut-inspired glaze adds the perfect touch of sweetness.
* **Perfectly Portioned:** Mini muffins are great for portion control and are ideal for snacking or serving at parties.
* **Customizable:** You can easily adapt this recipe to suit your preferences. Try adding different extracts, spices, or toppings to create your own unique variations.
* **Kid-Friendly:** Kids love these mini muffins! They’re fun to eat and the strawberry flavor is always a winner.
* **Freezer-Friendly:** These muffins freeze well, so you can make a big batch and enjoy them later.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s a list of the ingredients you’ll need to make these strawberry donut mini muffins:

**For the Muffins:**

* 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
* ¾ cup granulated sugar
* 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
* ¼ teaspoon salt
* ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
* ½ cup milk
* ¼ cup vegetable oil
* 1 large egg
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1 cup finely diced fresh strawberries

**For the Glaze:**

* 2 cups powdered sugar
* ¼ cup milk
* ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
* Pinch of salt
* Optional: Red food coloring (for a vibrant pink glaze)

Equipment You’ll Need

* Mini muffin tin
* Paper liners (optional, but recommended for easy cleanup)
* Mixing bowls
* Whisk
* Spatula
* Measuring cups and spoons
* Wire rack

Step-by-Step Instructions

Now, let’s get to the fun part – baking! Follow these step-by-step instructions to create your own batch of strawberry donut mini muffins:

**Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Muffin Tin**

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a mini muffin tin with paper liners or grease it well with cooking spray. Using liners makes it much easier to remove the muffins later and keeps the pan cleaner.

**Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients**

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg. Make sure the baking powder is evenly distributed throughout the flour mixture to ensure a good rise.

**Step 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients**

In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, vegetable oil, egg, and vanilla extract. Make sure the egg is well incorporated and the mixture is smooth.

**Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients**

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough muffins. A few lumps are okay.

**Step 5: Fold in the Strawberries**

Gently fold in the diced strawberries into the batter. Make sure the strawberries are evenly distributed throughout the batter. This will ensure that each muffin has a good amount of strawberry flavor.

**Step 6: Fill the Muffin Tin**

Spoon the batter into the prepared mini muffin tin, filling each cup about ¾ full. Use a small cookie scoop for even distribution and less mess.

**Step 7: Bake the Muffins**

Bake the muffins for 10-12 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The muffins should be lightly golden brown on top.

**Step 8: Cool the Muffins**

Remove the muffin tin from the oven and let the muffins cool in the tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents the bottoms of the muffins from becoming soggy.

**Step 9: Prepare the Glaze**

While the muffins are cooling, prepare the glaze. In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and salt until smooth. If you want a vibrant pink glaze, add a drop or two of red food coloring.

**Step 10: Glaze the Muffins**

Once the muffins are completely cooled, dip the tops of the muffins into the glaze and place them back on the wire rack to allow the glaze to set. You can also drizzle the glaze over the muffins using a spoon or fork.

**Step 11: Decorate (Optional)**

If desired, decorate the muffins with sprinkles, chopped nuts, or additional diced strawberries.

**Step 12: Serve and Enjoy!**

Serve the strawberry donut mini muffins immediately or store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also freeze them for longer storage.

Tips for Perfect Strawberry Donut Mini Muffins

Here are a few tips to help you achieve perfect strawberry donut mini muffins every time:

* **Use Fresh Strawberries:** Fresh strawberries will give the muffins the best flavor and texture. If you’re using frozen strawberries, make sure to thaw them completely and pat them dry before adding them to the batter.
* **Don’t Overmix the Batter:** Overmixing the batter can result in tough muffins. Mix the wet and dry ingredients until just combined, and then gently fold in the strawberries.
* **Use Room Temperature Ingredients:** Room temperature ingredients will blend together more easily and create a smoother batter.
* **Don’t Overbake the Muffins:** Overbaking can dry out the muffins. Bake them until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
* **Cool the Muffins Completely Before Glazing:** If you glaze the muffins while they’re still warm, the glaze will melt and run off.
* **Adjust the Glaze Consistency:** If the glaze is too thick, add a little more milk. If it’s too thin, add a little more powdered sugar.

Variations and Substitutions

Here are a few ideas for variations and substitutions to customize your strawberry donut mini muffins:

* **Add Lemon Zest:** Add 1 teaspoon of lemon zest to the batter for a bright, citrusy flavor.
* **Use Different Extracts:** Try using almond extract, coconut extract, or maple extract instead of vanilla extract.
* **Add Spices:** Add a pinch of cinnamon, cardamom, or allspice to the batter for a warm, cozy flavor.
* **Use Different Berries:** Substitute blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries for the strawberries.
* **Add Chocolate Chips:** Fold in ½ cup of mini chocolate chips into the batter.
* **Make Them Gluten-Free:** Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to make these muffins gluten-free.
* **Make Them Dairy-Free:** Use almond milk or soy milk instead of regular milk, and use dairy-free margarine or coconut oil instead of vegetable oil.
* **Add a Streusel Topping:** Combine ¼ cup flour, ¼ cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons cold butter, and ¼ teaspoon cinnamon. Crumble the mixture over the muffins before baking.

Serving Suggestions

These strawberry donut mini muffins are delicious on their own, but here are a few ideas for serving them:

* **Breakfast or Brunch:** Serve them with a side of yogurt, fruit, or bacon for a complete breakfast or brunch.
* **Snack:** Enjoy them as a mid-afternoon snack with a glass of milk or juice.
* **Dessert:** Serve them as a light and refreshing dessert after dinner.
* **Party Favors:** Package them in small bags or boxes and give them out as party favors.
* **Gifts:** Give them as homemade gifts to friends and family.

Storage Instructions

* **Room Temperature:** Store the muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
* **Refrigerator:** Store the muffins in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
* **Freezer:** Freeze the muffins in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 2 months. Thaw them at room temperature before serving.

Recipe Card

**Strawberry Donut Mini Muffins**

**Yields:** Approximately 24 mini muffins
**Prep Time:** 15 minutes
**Cook Time:** 10-12 minutes

**Ingredients:**

**For the Muffins:**

* 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
* ¾ cup granulated sugar
* 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
* ¼ teaspoon salt
* ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
* ½ cup milk
* ¼ cup vegetable oil
* 1 large egg
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1 cup finely diced fresh strawberries

**For the Glaze:**

* 2 cups powdered sugar
* ¼ cup milk
* ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
* Pinch of salt
* Optional: Red food coloring (for a vibrant pink glaze)

**Instructions:**

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a mini muffin tin with paper liners or grease it well.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together milk, vegetable oil, egg, and vanilla extract.
4. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Do not overmix.
5. Gently fold in the diced strawberries.
6. Spoon batter into the prepared mini muffin tin, filling each cup about ¾ full.
7. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. Let the muffins cool in the tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. While muffins are cooling, prepare the glaze. In a medium bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and salt until smooth. Add red food coloring if desired.
10. Once the muffins are completely cooled, dip the tops of the muffins into the glaze and place them back on the wire rack to allow the glaze to set. Alternatively, drizzle the glaze over the muffins.
11. Decorate with sprinkles, chopped nuts, or additional diced strawberries, if desired.
12. Serve and enjoy!

Conclusion

These strawberry donut mini muffins are a delightful treat that’s perfect for any occasion. They’re easy to make, delicious, and customizable, making them a surefire hit with everyone who tries them. So, go ahead and give this recipe a try – you won’t be disappointed!

Enjoy your baking adventures, and happy munching!