I absolutely love how these Perfect Plum Yogurt Muffins turn out every time I bake them. They’re wonderfully moist, thanks to the yogurt, and the fresh plums add this juicy burst of flavor that just sings with every bite. When plums are in season, making these muffins feels like a little celebration of that lovely fruit — perfect for breakfast, a snack, or even a casual brunch with friends.
You’ll find that this Perfect Plum Yogurt Muffins Recipe is not only delicious but surprisingly easy to whip up, especially if you’re juggling a busy morning routine. The ingredients are simple, and the yogurt keeps the muffins tender without making the batter heavy. If you’ve ever struggled with dry or dense muffins, this recipe will be a game-changer for you.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Moist and Tender Texture: The yogurt keeps these muffins soft and flavorful without being dense.
- Fresh Plum Flavor: The juicy plums add a delightful fruity pop that feels light and fresh.
- Quick and Easy: You can mix the batter in one bowl and have muffins ready in under 30 minutes.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Great for breakfasts, snacks, or even a sweet treat at teatime.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Perfect Plum Yogurt Muffins Recipe plays an important role — from giving the muffins structure to adding moisture and flavor. I always recommend using good quality flour and ripe, juicy plums for the best results.
- All-purpose flour: I prefer unbleached and non-GMO varieties for a cleaner taste and better texture.
- Baking powder: This helps the muffins rise properly, so make sure yours isn’t expired.
- Baking soda: Works alongside baking powder to give extra lift and a tender crumb.
- Sugar: Regular granulated sugar works fine; it adds just the right amount of sweetness.
- Eggs: Room temperature eggs help bind everything together nicely.
- Light olive oil: Adds moisture without heaviness, and I love the subtle flavor it imparts.
- Yogurt: Plain yogurt is best — if you use Greek yogurt, adding a splash of milk keeps the batter from being too thick.
- Plums: Small or medium plums work well, just chop them into bite-sized pieces for even distribution.
- Demerara or pearl sugar (optional): Sprinkling some on top before baking gives a delightful crunchy crust.
Variations
I love mixing things up with this Perfect Plum Yogurt Muffins Recipe depending on the season or what I have on hand. Feel free to add your own spin; this recipe is really flexible.
- Swap the fruit: Blueberries, raspberries, or chopped peaches are fantastic substitutes if plums aren’t available.
- Make it gluten-free: Use a gluten-free flour blend that measures cup-for-cup to all-purpose flour.
- Less sugar version: Reduce sugar by a quarter if you prefer your muffins less sweet.
- Add spices: A pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg warms up the flavor beautifully, especially in cooler months.
How to Make Perfect Plum Yogurt Muffins Recipe
Step 1: Prep your dry ingredients
Start by preheating your oven to 350ºF. Then sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and baking soda into a large mixing bowl. I’ve found that sifting helps keep the muffins light and airy by preventing lumps and evenly distributing the leavening agents. Once sifted, stir in the sugar until everything looks evenly combined.
Step 2: Mix your wet ingredients
In a separate bowl or a measuring jug, whisk the eggs, olive oil, and yogurt together until the mixture is smooth and uniform. If you’re using Greek yogurt, I like to add a tablespoon of milk or buttermilk here to loosen the texture just a bit. This makes it easier to fold into the dry ingredients.
Step 3: Combine and fold in plums
Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and gently stir just until they are combined. The key here is not to overmix — I learned this the hard way when my muffins ended up tough because I stirred too much. Next, carefully fold in the chopped plums, reserving a few for topping if you want. This keeps the fruit intact and prevents the batter from turning purple or watery.
Step 4: Bake to perfection
Divide the batter evenly into a muffin tin lined with paper cups or greased well. Sprinkle the tops with Demerara or pearl sugar for a subtle crunch and extra charm. Bake for about 18–20 minutes, or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If you’re making jumbo muffins, add about 5 extra minutes, but always check with a skewer to avoid drying them out.
Pro Tips for Making Perfect Plum Yogurt Muffins Recipe
- Don’t Overmix: Stir the batter only until the flour disappears—overmixing makes dense muffins, so patience here pays off.
- Yogurt Matters: Use plain yogurt, and if Greek style, thin it with a splash of milk; it keeps the batter lighter and mixable.
- Fruit Prep: Chop your plums into small chunks to ensure they distribute well and bake evenly without sinking.
- Baking Time: Always check muffins a few minutes before the timer, as ovens vary and overbaking dries them out.
How to Serve Perfect Plum Yogurt Muffins Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping these muffins with a dusting of powdered sugar right before serving for an elegant finish. Sometimes I also spread a tiny bit of softened butter or a dollop of cream cheese to add richness that pairs beautifully with the fresh plum flavor.
Side Dishes
These muffins go amazingly well with a hot cup of coffee or your favorite tea, creating a cozy morning vibe. I also serve them alongside fresh fruit salad or a small bowl of yogurt to keep breakfast light and balanced.
Creative Ways to Present
Want to impress at a brunch? Arrange the muffins on a beautiful tiered stand and sprinkle edible flowers or mint leaves around for a fresh pop of color. For kids’ parties, I’ve even turned these into mini muffin sandwiches by slicing them and filling with whipped cream and berry jam—fun and delicious!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually store leftover Perfect Plum Yogurt Muffins at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 days. If it’s humid, refrigerate them, but bring back to room temperature before eating to keep them tender and flavorful.
Freezing
Freezing these muffins works great if you want to bake in bulk. After cooling completely, I wrap each muffin individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. They thaw quickly on the counter or in the microwave when you’re ready to enjoy.
Reheating
To reheat, I pop the muffins in the microwave for about 20 seconds or warm them in a toaster oven to bring back that fresh-baked aroma and slightly crisp top. Just watch carefully so they don’t dry out!
FAQs
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Can I use frozen plums for the Perfect Plum Yogurt Muffins Recipe?
Frozen plums can work in a pinch, but I recommend thawing and draining them well before adding to the batter to avoid excess moisture which can make muffins soggy.
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What type of yogurt is best for these muffins?
Plain, unsweetened yogurt is best — Greek yogurt is great but add a bit of milk to thin it out. Avoid flavored yogurts as they can alter the muffin’s taste and texture.
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How do I prevent the plums from sinking to the bottom?
Gently fold chopped plums in at the end and avoid overmixing. You can also lightly toss the plum pieces in a bit of flour before adding to the batter to help them stay suspended.
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Can I make these muffins dairy-free?
Yes! Substitute dairy yogurt with coconut or almond milk yogurt, and use a dairy-free milk to thin if needed. Olive oil remains a good fat choice for moisture.
Final Thoughts
I hope this Perfect Plum Yogurt Muffins Recipe brings as much joy to your kitchen as it does to mine. It’s one of those recipes that quickly became a favorite in my family because of how reliably tender and flavorful it is, not to mention how easy it is to pull together. When you try it, I think you’ll find it’s the perfect way to celebrate fresh fruit in a simple, satisfying baked treat. Give it a go, and I can’t wait to hear how much you love these muffins!
PrintPerfect Plum Yogurt Muffins Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 28 minutes
- Yield: 12 regular muffins
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Perfect Plum Muffins are moist and tender, made with creamy yogurt and juicy plums for a delightful burst of flavor. Easy to prepare and lightly sweetened, they make a fantastic breakfast or snack option with a subtle crunch from the optional Demerara sugar topping.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all purpose flour (good quality, unbleached, unbromated, non-GMO)
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 cup sugar
Wet Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup light olive oil
- 1 cup yogurt (if using Greek yogurt, add 1 Tbsp milk or buttermilk)
Fruit
- 8 small plums (or 6 medium plums), washed and chopped
Topping (Optional)
- 1 tsp Demerara or Swedish pearl sugar to top
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC) to ensure it’s at the perfect temperature when you’re ready to bake.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: Sift the all purpose flour, baking powder, and baking soda into a large mixing bowl. Add the sugar and stir to combine evenly.
- Whisk Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl or measuring jug, whisk together the eggs, light olive oil, and yogurt until the mixture is smooth and consistent.
- Prepare Plums: Wash the plums thoroughly and chop them into bite-sized pieces, keeping a few pieces aside if you want to place on top of the muffins for decoration.
- Combine Mixtures: Pour the yogurt mixture into the dry ingredients bowl. Gently stir until just combined — be careful not to overmix to keep the muffins light and fluffy.
- Add Plums: Fold in the chopped plums carefully with just a few turns to distribute them evenly while preserving batter texture.
- Fill Muffin Cups: Spoon the batter into muffin cups, filling them evenly. Sprinkle the reserved plums on top if desired, then lightly sprinkle with Demerara sugar for a crunchy topping.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes or until the muffins turn golden brown and a skewer inserted comes out clean.
- Cool & Serve: Let the muffins cool slightly before removing from the pan. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- For best results, measure ingredients with a kitchen scale for precise quantities.
- If making larger muffins, extend baking time by 5 minutes or until a skewer inserted comes out clean, as oven temperatures can vary.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 muffin
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg