Made from pantry staples, these Brown Sugar Muffins have been a favorite for as long as I can remember! These muffins are not too sweet and are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or for snack time.
We are a muffin loving family! These Brown Sugar Muffins are definitely a family favorite, along with these Cinnamon Muffins and Chocolate Chip Muffins.
I have a horrible memory. Ask me what I wore on Saturday – I probably won’t remember. Shopping without a grocery list? Only if I want to make it home with half of what I walked in to buy. And you know how some people can remember their first childhood memory at age 2? Not me.
But for some reason, I remember food. And these brown sugar muffins are definitely hard to forget. I grew up on these muffins. My mom would make them often, and I think that they were my favorite muffin that she made.
It really doesn’t get any simpler than this. All of the ingredients are pantry staples for me, so it takes a couple minutes to mix everything together, and after 20 minutes of baking, you have warm muffins. So make some memories with these muffins!
Ingredients
- Brown Sugar: I have always used light brown sugar, but I did have a reader say they used dark brown sugar to intensify the flavor and it worked well. Either way, make sure the sugar is packed in the measuring cup.
- Butter: I use unsalted butter. If you use salted butter, just add a smidge less salt.
- Milk: I typically make these with 2% milk because that is what I keep on hand. But others have had success with milk substitutes.
- Egg: You only need one large egg.
- Vanilla: The vanilla adds flavor, so I wouldn’t skip it!
- Flour: I use all purpose flour. I have not tested with another flour or with gluten free flour, so I’m not sure how the muffins would turn out if you swap that.
- Baking Soda: This is important for the rise of the muffins. Don’t skip it!
- Salt: The salt balances the flavors.
- Nuts: Honestly, most of the time, I do not add nuts. I do like them better with nuts, but my family likes them better without. But they are delicious either way! I usually use pecans, but walnuts would work, as well.
How to Make Brown Sugar Muffins
STEP 1: Mix the brown sugar and the butter together well. It will try to separate a little, but should mix together without a lot of fuss.
STEP 2: Stir in the milk, egg and vanilla until combined. The add in the flour, baking soda, and salt.
STEP 3: If adding nuts, fold those into the batter.
STEP 4: Divide the batter between 12 muffin cups that have been sprayed with nonstick cooking spray or lined with paper liners. Bake just until a tester inserted in the middle comes out clean.
Tips and Tricks
My original recipe divided the batter between 15-17 muffin cups. In more recent years, I started making only 12 muffins from the batter. I like only having one muffin tin to clean, but if you do want to stretch the batter and make more muffins, just fill them to only about 2/3 full.
The batter might seem a little lumpy when you are stirring it together. This is normal. Don’t over mix the batter trying to get all of those lumps out.
My favorite way to eat these muffins is warm, slathered with butter. But they do last several days in a covered container at room temperature.
This is a pretty basic recipe, so if you want to jazz it up a little, you can add some cinnamon, or sprinkle sugar on the tops before baking.
More Favorite Muffin Recipes
Banana Muffins
Lemon Muffins
Banana Toffee Muffins
Peanut Butter Banana Bran Muffin Recipe
Morning Glory Muffins
Oatmeal Muffins with Applesauce
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Brown Sugar Muffins
Ingredients
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup butter melted
- 1 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup nuts chopped coarsely (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375ºF. Grease or line 12 muffin cups with paper liners.
- In a large bowl, stir the brown sugar and the butter together. Add the milk, egg and vanilla as stir to combine. Add the flour, baking soda and salt and mix just until incorporated. If using, stir in the nuts.1 cup light brown sugar, 1/2 cup butter, 1 cup milk, 1 egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 cup nuts
- Divide the mixture between the prepared muffin cups.
- Bake in the preheated oven until a tested inserted in the center comes out clean, 15-20 minutes.
kamailesfood says
My sister is in love with all things brown sugar. I’ll have to make these for her.
Gigi says
I think I have found my breakfast for next week! Nothing like good and muffin and a cup of coffee.
Elle says
I can see why these are memorable…simple but perfect in the combination of flavors. I’ll have to try this one!
Steph says
These are the BEST muffins! Great, now I am craving some warm muffins…
Peabody says
Those look sooo good. I love brown sugar. I love muffins, therefore I love brown sugar muffins. 🙂
Mary says
Yum! Brown sugar and muffins. They sounds super delicious!
Brown Sugar says
Oh how true!
Food is the memory stick of life, huh?
Your Brown Sugar Muffins look wonderful!
I’m looking forward to trying them!
Susan from Food Blogga says
I love this recipe, Deborah. So few ingredients, so many delicious flavors!
Krysta says
My husband biggest complaint is I can’t remember what’s in our checking account but I can remember a meal from ten years ago.
noble pig says
These sound wonderful, brown sugar gives things so much more depth and flavor.
eatme_delicious says
Ooo I read the name of the muffins and was hooked! They look great. I think I’d make them as mini muffins. I have a really horrible memory for a lot of things too but I can remember numbers and recount conversations well.
swallowingamoose says
I just wanna know when can we all move in?! I’ll pay rent for room, board, and food. I’ll even wash the dishes. Everytime i come here to your blog i’m immediately starving! So i’m ready to just c’mon over and pig out!
Absolutely Famished,
Heather
Katie B. says
Whoa – wicked easy! And I bet they smell amazing!!
Brown English Muffin says
This does sound yummy I’m going to have to try them!
~ p.s. I found you on Corey’s blog!
Augustina says
these sound like they would be perfect for breakfast. looking forward to trying this recipe out.
Deborah Page says
Great recipe! I found it this afternoon. Grabbed my ingredients from the pantry and fridge ( except for my all purpose flour) yes, no all purpose flour. So, I said to myself, use your self rising flour! I went ahead and mixed the ingredients. Filled the muffin pans. Baked in the oven. Took them out. BEAUTIFUL! Smelled heavenly. My two grown boys came by to visit. Now I have only 4 out of a dozen left. Their Dad helped to! I was told I would have to bake more. Easy, easy, easy. Thanks.
Happy cook says
Muffins with brown sugar that has to be delicious.
I also can’t remember things without a shopping list.
But forgetting the boy you dated, well well well that is what i call a very short memery :-))))