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Jelly-Filled Donut Muffins: The Ultimate Breakfast Hybrid

Imagine a world where you never have to choose between the fluffy, comforting embrace of a muffin and the irresistible, sugary glaze of a classic donut. A world where the best qualities of both beloved breakfast treats merge into one glorious creation. Welcome to the world of Jelly-Filled Donut Muffins! These exceptional treats are not just muffins; they are a marvel of baking, offering the soft, tender crumb of a perfectly baked muffin combined with the delightful texture and signature sweet glaze of a cake donut. And as if that weren’t enough, each one holds a delicious secret: a burst of sweet, fruity jelly in its heart.

For many, the morning dilemma is real: a warm, freshly baked muffin or a sweet, glazed donut? It’s a choice that can truly define the start of your day. But what if you could have both? Our Jelly-Filled Donut Muffins solve this age-old problem by delivering an unparalleled taste experience. They boast the familiar, satisfying shape and inviting golden-brown top of a perfect muffin, while simultaneously captivating your senses with the rich, dense texture and shiny, sweet glaze that is characteristic of an old-fashioned cake donut. This innovative combination ensures that every bite is a journey through your favorite flavors and textures.

And then there’s the jelly. Oh, the jelly! A generous spoonful of sweet, fruity jelly is nestled right in the center of each muffin, waiting to surprise and delight you with its vibrant flavor. Whether it’s classic strawberry, tangy raspberry, or luscious apricot, the jelly filling elevates these donut muffins from simply delicious to truly extraordinary. What more could you possibly desire for breakfast, an afternoon snack, or even a late-night indulgence? These irresistible treats are perfect at any time of day, bringing a smile with every bite.

Why You’ll Fall in Love with These Donut Muffins

There are countless reasons to adore these Jelly-Filled Donut Muffins, making them a staple in any home baker’s repertoire. First and foremost is their unique dual identity. You get the convenience and ease of baking muffins, yet the indulgent flavor and texture of a donut. This means less fuss than traditional donut making, but all the satisfying results.

Perfect Texture: The batter is specifically crafted to yield a muffin that has the moist, dense crumb of a cake donut – not too airy, not too heavy, but just right.
Irresistible Glaze: A simple yet decadent glaze coats each muffin, adding that signature donut sweetness and a beautiful sheen that makes them utterly tempting.
Surprise Filling: The hidden jelly center is a delightful surprise, adding a burst of fruity flavor and moisture that complements the cake-like muffin perfectly. It’s like discovering a little treasure in every bite!
Versatile Treat: Ideal for breakfast, a coffee break, a dessert, or even as a special treat for guests. They are perfect for sharing, though you might find it hard to stop at just one!
Easy to Make: Despite their sophisticated taste and appearance, these donut muffins are surprisingly straightforward to bake. Even novice bakers can achieve impressive results with this recipe.

I am absolutely captivated by these sweet muffins and find myself eager to bake them time and time again! There’s something truly magical about bringing together two classic comforts into one extraordinary treat. The aroma filling your kitchen as they bake is just the beginning of the sensory delight.

Gather Your Ingredients: The Heart of Delicious Donut Muffins

Creating these heavenly Jelly-Filled Donut Muffins starts with a selection of common pantry staples. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in achieving that perfect donut-muffin harmony. Let’s break down what you’ll need for the fluffy batter, the sweet filling, and the luscious glaze.

For the batter, you’ll need softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, large eggs, and vanilla extract for a rich base. The dry ingredients include Gold Medal® all-purpose flour and baking powder, which provides the lift and tender structure. Buttermilk is a key ingredient, contributing to the moistness and tender crumb, making these muffins truly stand out. If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, a simple substitute of regular milk with a tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar can work wonders when allowed to sit for a few minutes.

The star of the show, the filling, is simply your favorite fruit jelly. Choose a good quality jelly that you love – raspberry, strawberry, grape, or even apricot all work wonderfully. The thicker the jelly, the easier it will be to work with and prevent it from soaking too much into the batter during baking.

Finally, the glaze ties everything together, mimicking the finish of a traditional cake donut. It’s a simple concoction of powdered sugar, buttermilk, and a touch more vanilla. This creates a smooth, pourable glaze that sets beautifully, adding that extra layer of sweetness and a delicate crunch.

Baking Perfect Jelly-Filled Donut Muffins: Step-by-Step Guide

Now, let’s get baking! This recipe is designed for clarity and ease, ensuring that you can whip up a batch of these delectable donut muffins without any stress. Grab your apron, preheat your oven, and let’s create some magic in the kitchen.

Preparation is Key

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures your muffins bake evenly from the moment they enter the oven. Lightly spray a standard 12-cup muffin pan with cooking spray. You can also use paper liners, but for that true donut-like finish, baking directly in a greased pan allows for a crispier edge.

Crafting the Batter

In the bowl of an electric mixer (or with a hand mixer), combine the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar. Beat them together until the mixture is light, fluffy, and smooth – this is crucial for the cake-like texture. Next, incorporate the large eggs, adding them one at a time and beating well after each addition to ensure they are fully integrated. Stir in the vanilla extract, which enhances all the sweet flavors.

In a separate bowl, whisk together your Gold Medal® all-purpose flour and baking powder. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the wet mixture, beating on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough muffins. With the mixer still on low, slowly pour in the buttermilk and continue to mix until the batter is just smooth. Again, resist the urge to overmix; a few lumps are perfectly fine and often result in a more tender muffin.

The Jelly Surprise

This is where the “jelly-filled” magic happens! Scoop about 2-3 tablespoons of your prepared batter into the bottom of each greased muffin cup. Don’t fill them too much at this stage. Then, using the back of a spoon, create a small well or indentation in the center of the batter in each cup. Carefully place a generous heaping tablespoon of your chosen fruit jelly into this well. Finally, cover the jelly with another 2-3 tablespoons of muffin batter, ensuring the jelly is completely encased. This layered approach prevents the jelly from burning or leaking excessively during baking.

Baking and Glazing

Transfer your muffin pan to the preheated oven and bake for approximately 25 minutes. Baking time can vary slightly depending on your oven, so keep an eye on them. The muffins are ready when they turn a beautiful light golden brown, and a toothpick inserted into the muffin part (avoiding the jelly center) comes out clean. Once baked, remove the muffins from the oven and let them cool slightly in the pan while you prepare the glaze. This brief cooling period helps them firm up before transferring.

While the muffins are cooling, whisk together the powdered sugar, the remaining buttermilk, and the vanilla extract in a small bowl until you achieve a smooth, pourable glaze. If it’s too thick, add a tiny bit more buttermilk; if too thin, add a pinch more powdered sugar. The consistency should be thick enough to coat, but thin enough to drip slightly.

Carefully transfer the still-warm muffins to a wire rack. Place the wire rack over a baking sheet or parchment paper to catch any drips from the glaze. Generously brush each muffin with the prepared glaze, covering the tops and sides. Don’t be shy! You can apply multiple thin layers if desired until all of the glaze has been used, creating that iconic donut crust. Allow the glaze to set for about 5 minutes. For an extra decorative touch and to clearly signal the surprise inside, place a small dollop of jelly on top of each muffin before serving.

Tips for Success and Variations

To ensure your Jelly-Filled Donut Muffins turn out perfectly every time, consider these helpful tips:

Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your butter and eggs are at room temperature. This helps them emulsify better, leading to a smoother batter and a finer crumb.
Don’t Overmix: Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough muffins. Mix until just combined.
Jelly Choice: Thicker jellies or preserves work best as they are less likely to bleed into the batter. If your jelly is very thin, you can gently heat it to thicken it slightly before using, or even consider a fruit butter.
Creative Fillings: While jelly is classic, feel free to experiment! Nutella, lemon curd, or even cream cheese filling could create exciting variations.
Different Glazes: Instead of a vanilla glaze, try a cinnamon-sugar topping (brush warm muffins with melted butter and roll in cinnamon sugar) for another donut-inspired finish.
Storage: Store these delightful muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. While they are best enjoyed fresh, they remain wonderfully moist and flavorful. You can also freeze them (unglazed or glazed) for longer storage; simply thaw and re-glaze if unglazed.

Serving Your Delicious Donut Muffins

Now you’re ready to serve yourself and your loved ones some of the most delicious and inventive muffins you’ve ever baked! These Jelly-Filled Donut Muffins are truly a versatile treat. They are absolutely perfect alongside a steaming cup of coffee or a comforting mug of tea for a leisurely breakfast or brunch. Their sweetness also makes them an excellent dessert, perhaps warmed slightly and served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent touch.

Whether you’re treating yourself to a moment of quiet indulgence or sharing them with family and friends, these donut muffins are sure to be a hit. The combination of textures and flavors is simply irresistible, guaranteeing smiles all around. Each bite offers that perfect balance of soft, cake-like muffin, sweet glaze, and fruity jelly burst – a symphony of flavors that will brighten any day.

Enjoy every delightful bite!

xoxo,

Jelly-Filled Donut Muffins Recipe

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5 from 1 review

Author: Maegan – The BakerMama
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Yield: 12 Jelly-Filled Donut Muffins
Category: Breakfast, Dessert, Muffins

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Description

These marvelous Jelly-Filled Donut Muffins combine the best of both worlds: the fluffy texture and convenient shape of a muffin, paired with the sweet glaze and rich crumb of a classic cake donut. Each muffin is generously filled with a delightful burst of sweet fruit jelly, making every bite a unique and irresistible experience. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet treat anytime!

Ingredients

For the Donut Muffin Batter:

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2–1/2 cups Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 cup buttermilk (or homemade buttermilk substitute: 1 cup milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice/vinegar, let sit 5 mins)

For the Jelly Filling:

1 cup of your favorite fruit jelly or preserves (strawberry, raspberry, grape work well)

For the Sweet Donut Glaze:

2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions for Baking Jelly-Filled Donut Muffins

Prepare Your Muffin Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray a standard 12-cup muffin pan with cooking spray. Set aside.
Make the Muffin Batter: In the large bowl of an electric mixer, cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light, pale, and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes). Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Mix in the vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, whisk together the Gold Medal® all-purpose flour and baking powder. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. With the mixer still on low speed, slowly pour in the buttermilk and mix until the batter is smooth, being careful not to overmix.
Add the Jelly Filling: Scoop about 2-3 tablespoons of the prepared batter into the bottom of each muffin cup. Using the back of a small spoon, create a slight well in the center of the batter. Place a generous heaping tablespoon of your chosen fruit jelly into this well. Carefully cover the jelly with another 2-3 tablespoons of muffin batter, ensuring the jelly is completely enclosed.
Bake the Donut Muffins: Bake for 25 minutes, or until the tops of the muffins are a light golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the muffin part (avoiding the jelly center) comes out clean. Let the muffins cool in the pan on a wire rack for about 5-10 minutes while you prepare the glaze.
Prepare and Apply the Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, buttermilk, and vanilla extract until smooth and free of lumps. The glaze should be thick enough to coat a spoon but still pourable. Place the warm muffins on a wire rack positioned over a baking sheet (to catch any excess glaze). Generously brush each muffin with the prepared glaze, covering the tops and sides. You can apply multiple thin layers if desired until all the glaze has been used. Allow the glaze to set for about 5 minutes. For a decorative touch and to highlight the filling, place a small dollop of the same fruit jelly on top of each glazed muffin.
Storage: Store any leftover Jelly-Filled Donut Muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. For best freshness, enjoy them within 1-2 days.