Make Boxed Blueberry Muffins Taste Gourmet With A Fresh Addition

If you've ever wondered how to make boxed blueberry muffins better, you are not alone. While the occasional sweet burst of blueberry in the chewy center can be tasty on its own, they often tend to feel like they are missing something. An accompaniment would elevate the flavor to new heights, and thankfully, some easy and flavorful solutions are sitting right next to the blueberries in the supermarket produce section.

Making your box mix muffins taste like they came out of a professional bakery is as simple as mixing a complementary ingredient into the batter: raspberries. Blueberries and raspberries go together like Bert and Ernie. When combined in muffins, these partners harmonize and boost the crumbly baked pleasure with a blast of berry flavor in every bite. The inside stays moist and chewy, and the muffin top — the best part of the muffin — gains a nigh-scandalous sweetness that may well remind you of a berry crisp.

However, raspberries aren't the only horse in the stable. Just as a boxed cake mix can be enhanced with various ingredients, there are a few other things that can take boxed muffin mixes to the next level. Some of them might already be sitting in your fridge or freezer.

Savory ingredients like yogurt and cream cheese can be a welcome addition to a batch of boxed blueberry muffins, but with these ingredients, you have to be careful not to add too much. Making substantial modifications to the recipe can potentially disturb the way the muffins bake in the oven, such as by introducing too much water to the equation. An easier way to grant depth of flavor is to stick with other fruits and berries. Thankfully, blueberries get along with plenty of produce options that won't disrupt the structural integrity of your baked goods.

Bananas — which are technically berries — add creamy texture and a bit of tanginess. Peaches are great for leveling up homemade bread and can also bestow a mellow taste of nectar that gives muffins balance. Amping up the batter with lemon or lime zest contributes a citrusy flair that complements sweet blueberries.

If you want to stick to berries alone, there is no shortage of options to include. Blackberries, strawberries, and cranberries are readily available, but you could also go for something a bit more unique like açai or goji berries. Incorporating a medley of several berries would create a burst of flavor for your taste buds to enjoy, but some restraint is necessary to ensure the muffin's structure doesn't suffer when it bakes. The next time you are wondering how to make boxed blueberry muffins better, take a look through your fridge and freezer and find a fruit that inspires you.