๐ง Introduction
If youโre looking for a soft, tender muffin thatโs bursting with juicy cherries and comes together effortlessly, these Cherry Muffins are your new go-to! ๐ Inspired by the cozy, elevated flavors of Olives + Thyme, this version is bright, fresh, and deeply satisfyingโjust the way homemade muffins should be.
With a golden top, soft crumb, and sweet cherry bits in every bite, these muffins are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a quick snack. Whether you’re using fresh, frozen, or dried cherries, theyโre simple to make and impossible to resist. Bonus? They freeze well and taste just as good the next day (if they last that long ๐).
๐ Ingredients
- 1ยพ cups all-purpose flour
- ยพ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ยฝ teaspoon baking soda
- ยฝ teaspoon salt
- ยฝ cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 2 large eggs
- ยพ cup plain Greek yogurt (or sour cream)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1ยฝ cups cherries, pitted and chopped (fresh or frozen)
- Optional: coarse sugar for topping
๐ฉโ๐ณ Directions
Step 1: Preheat & Prep
- Preheat oven to 375ยฐF (190ยฐC).
- Line a muffin tin with paper liners or lightly grease.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together:
- Flour
- Sugar
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Salt
Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk:
- Melted butter
- Eggs
- Greek yogurt
- Vanilla extract
Step 4: Combine & Fold
- Add wet ingredients to the dry ingredients.
- Stir gently until just combinedโdo not overmix.
- Fold in the chopped cherries.
Step 5: Fill the Muffin Tins
- Divide the batter evenly among 12 muffin cups.
- Fill each about ยพ full.
- Sprinkle tops with coarse sugar if desired for a crunchy finish.
Step 6: Bake
- Bake for 18โ22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
๐ฝ๏ธ Servings and Timing
- Yields: 12 muffins
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Bake Time: 18โ22 minutes
- Total Time: 30โ35 minutes
๐ Variations
- Almond Cherry Muffins: Add ยฝ teaspoon almond extract and sprinkle with slivered almonds.
- Lemon Cherry Muffins: Add zest of 1 lemon to the batter for a citrusy boost.
- Chocolate Cherry Muffins: Fold in ยฝ cup mini chocolate chips.
- Glazed Cherry Muffins: Drizzle cooled muffins with a simple glaze (powdered sugar + milk).
- Dried Cherry Option: Soak dried cherries in warm water for 10 minutes before adding.
๐ง Storage & Reheating
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Refrigerator: Up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze in a single layer, then transfer to a bagโgood for up to 2 months.
- Reheat: Microwave for 15โ20 seconds or warm in a 300ยฐF oven for 5 minutes.
โ 10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I use frozen cherries?
Yes! No need to thawโjust toss in flour before mixing to avoid bleeding.
2. Whatโs the best type of cherry to use?
Sweet cherries like Bing work well. Tart cherries are great if you prefer a tangy bite.
3. Can I make these muffins dairy-free?
Yesโsubstitute butter with oil or vegan butter, and use dairy-free yogurt.
4. How do I avoid dry muffins?
Use yogurt for moisture and donโt overbake! Check them at the 18-minute mark.
5. Can I substitute the flour?
Yes, you can try a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend or replace part of the flour with whole wheat flour.
6. How do I know when the muffins are done?
A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
7. What can I use instead of yogurt?
Sour cream or buttermilk are great substitutes.
8. Can I make mini muffins?
Definitely! Bake at 350ยฐF for 12โ15 minutes and check doneness early.
9. Do I need to chop the cherries?
Yes. Chopped cherries distribute more evenly throughout the batter.
10. Can I make the batter ahead of time?
Itโs best to bake right away, but you can prep the wet and dry ingredients separately and combine just before baking.
๐ Conclusion
These Fresh & Easy Cherry Muffins are a must-bake treat that brings together simple ingredients and bright, delicious flavor. Whether you enjoy them as a quick breakfast, mid-morning snack, or sweet bite with tea, these muffins offer homemade comfort in every bite. ๐๐ง
Easy, versatile, and oh-so-goodโyouโll be making these again and again!

Cherry Muffins (Fresh and Easy) โ Inspired by Olives + Thyme
Method
- Preheat oven to 375ยฐF (190ยฐC).
- Line a muffin tin with paper liners or lightly grease.
- In a large bowl, whisk together:
- Flour
- Sugar
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Salt
- In a separate bowl, whisk:
- Melted butter
- Eggs
- Greek yogurt
- Vanilla extract
- Add wet ingredients to the dry ingredients.
- Stir gently until just combinedโdo not overmix.
- Fold in the chopped cherries.
- Divide the batter evenly among 12 muffin cups.
- Fill each about ยพ full.
- Sprinkle tops with coarse sugar if desired for a crunchy finish.
- Bake for 18โ22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
Almond Cherry Muffins: Add ยฝ teaspoon almond extract and sprinkle with slivered almonds. Lemon Cherry Muffins: Add zest of 1 lemon to the batter for a citrusy boost. Chocolate Cherry Muffins: Fold in ยฝ cup mini chocolate chips. Glazed Cherry Muffins: Drizzle cooled muffins with a simple glaze (powdered sugar + milk). Dried Cherry Option: Soak dried cherries in warm water for 10 minutes before adding. ๐ง Storage & Reheating
Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Refrigerator: Up to 5 days. Freezer: Freeze in a single layer, then transfer to a bagโgood for up to 2 months. Reheat: Microwave for 15โ20 seconds or warm in a 300ยฐF oven for 5 minutes. โ 10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I use frozen cherries?
Yes! No need to thawโjust toss in flour before mixing to avoid bleeding. 2. Whatโs the best type of cherry to use?
Sweet cherries like Bing work well. Tart cherries are great if you prefer a tangy bite. 3. Can I make these muffins dairy-free?
Yesโsubstitute butter with oil or vegan butter, and use dairy-free yogurt. 4. How do I avoid dry muffins?
Use yogurt for moisture and donโt overbake! Check them at the 18-minute mark. 5. Can I substitute the flour?
Yes, you can try a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend or replace part of the flour with whole wheat flour. 6. How do I know when the muffins are done?
A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs. 7. What can I use instead of yogurt?
Sour cream or buttermilk are great substitutes. 8. Can I make mini muffins?
Definitely! Bake at 350ยฐF for 12โ15 minutes and check doneness early. 9. Do I need to chop the cherries?
Yes. Chopped cherries distribute more evenly throughout the batter. 10. Can I make the batter ahead of time?
Itโs best to bake right away, but you can prep the wet and dry ingredients separately and combine just before baking. ๐ Conclusion
These Fresh & Easy Cherry Muffins are a must-bake treat that brings together simple ingredients and bright, delicious flavor. Whether you enjoy them as a quick breakfast, mid-morning snack, or sweet bite with tea, these muffins offer homemade comfort in every bite. ๐๐ง Easy, versatile, and oh-so-goodโyouโll be making these again and again!
