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.
Marjorie Sales says
Most muffins have baking powder, these have baking soda…is this correct?
Deborah says
Yep – baking soda! 🙂
Phyllls Johnson says
Recipes are my weakness.. these sound so good..
Irene G says
Just made the Brown Sugar Muffins, they were delicious!! Everyone loved them. This is a keeper. Thank you for sharing.
Lindsay T says
Does light brown sugar or dark brown sugar work best with this recipe?
Deborah says
I use light brown sugar.
Laura Dembowski says
I can literally walk into the grocery store repeating something I need over and over again and walk put without it. I think food memories are particularly strong for some reason, maybe because so many of our senses are involved. These muffins look like they’ll create some awesome new memories!
Shirley says
Sorry 3 thumbs down in this house. 🙁
Deborah says
@Shirley, I’m so sad you didn’t like them! They are a favorite in our house and we make them at least 2 times a month. Hopefully better luck with the next one!
Shirley says
I’m making these this morning hoping they are wonderful ! Sounds like they will be smells like it too they are in the oven.
Kristen says
I made these for breakfast this morning…. mmmmmmmmm!
MoonlitKnit says
Made up a batch of these this evening. They were delicious! No doubt we will be making them again.
Thanks for sharing.
Kristen says
Oh I love anything with brown sugar in it. You can bet these are being bookmarked… probably for tomorrow!
Micki says
I have been lurking for a long time, but finally had a chance to try one of your recipes. I made these for breakfast yesterday and they were quite tasty-I ate four. I’m so embarrassed to admit that. Can’t wait to try them with fresh blueberries. Thanks for sharing!!!
Meeta says
quick, simple – It’s the memories that surround such recipes that make it so delish. I think this is gonna be perfect for one of Soeren and my baking sessions!
BD says
I add chocolate chips….. delicious
April says
These look delicious! And quick and simple to throw together.
Dhanggit says
muffins with brown sugar are really delicious!! it reminds me well of my fave muffin bar in Manila , the brown sugar muffin.
ps, and about forgetting the boy you dated heheh dont worry you are not alone 🙂
Emiline says
Brown suga’ muffins! How come you taste so good?
Or look so good.
I can remember faces, but I can’t remember names. There are people that I’ve worked with for a couple of years, and I still don’t know their names.
sagarinag says
muffins look soo yummmm
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