Honey Blueberry Muffins {a small batch recipe}
Morning rituals: coffee, breakfast, laptop. Most people vote Mondays the least cool day of the week. It means back to work, school, back to the busyness of life. I love Mondays, always have, but especially these last few years. They provide predictability & structure.
Weekends continue to be emotionally challenging, Sundays often a killer. That was always family day. Our family was my church, my devotion fiercely protecting family time. No birthday parties were attended. No plans with friends. Just us and our girls. A day to block out the world, and hit the reset button. Some weekends, I’m left with a deep loneliness, even six years later.
It’s so frustrating, this thing called grief. When do you stop missing, and start living? I’ve certainly lived a lot these last six years, and yet some moments I feel as though I’m stuck in quicksand. But I wake each day. I dig a little deeper, and brush the debris away from the beating heart I know is there, even if it doesn’t always feel like it.
Yesterday, I decided to make a new blueberry muffin recipe. Isabella said she loved them. I said, “yes, they’re very good, but not what I was hoping to make”. She said, “what’s wrong with them?” I said, “nothing, I just had something else in mind.” There’s a lesson in there, yes? It’s a fine muffin, indeed, and a fine line between settling, and realizing that even when things don’t work out as planned, there is still something to be enjoyed.
So, while these muffins didn’t hit exactly the mark I was aiming for, they are still really a lovely way to start the day. They’re light and spongy, the way those prepackaged muffins are (you know we’ve all eaten them at least once, a quick snack on the go, or maybe a guilty pleasure?), except they’re free of preservatives and made with ingredients you can actually pronounce.
You know what these Honey Blueberry Muffins are also free of?
Refined white sugar. Yep, as you might’ve guessed from their name, they’re sweetened with honey. As with all of my recipes that include honey, I use a creamy churned variety. Years ago this felt a bit inaccessible as an ingredient, but I see it everywhere now, and think it’s really worth stocking in your cupboards.
Oh, and guess what? This is a small batch recipe, too. I know, that wasn’t really a surprise, and I’m not sure six muffins count as a small batch, but since most recipes bake up a full dozen, I think I can safely say that, yes? These muffins will definitely find their way into school lunches this year, and since they stay fresh for a few days at room temperature (covered, of course), it’ll make mornings less frantic as we ease into a new schedule this year.
This recipe is now part of my new site, Simmering. It can be found by searching the archives here.
Eight Years Ago Fried Green Tomatoes, Peach Raspberry Tart, and Trutas.
Seven Years Ago Freezer Preserved Tomatoes, Cantaloupe Cooler, Peach Blueberry Cobbler Cake, Pickled Jalapeno Watermelon Rind, and Ginger Soy Marinated Flank Steak.
Six Years Ago 60-minute Chicken Stock, Cherry Slushies, and Perfect Pancakes.
Five Years Ago Crispy Baked Eggplant, Homemade Corn Broth, and Smoky Watermelon Gazpacho.
Four Years Ago Easy Peach Jam, Peach Allspice Muffins, Lemon Blueberry Scones, and Day 742.
Three Years Ago Minty S’mores Milkshakes, Cantaloupe Sorbet, Crispy Buttermilk Fried Chicken, and A Clean Slate.
Two Years Ago Roasted Beet Greens, Seriously Delicious Ribs, and Homemade Vegan Ricotta.
One Year Ago No Cook Tomato Basil Sauce, Crispy Baked Kale Chips, Zucchini Oatcakes, Sweet Butter Pastry Crust, Peach Blueberry Tart, Quick Pickles, and Pork Fried Rice Salad.
Ann
Jennie,
Thanks for sharing. I have some questions:
1. What type of flour (AP, whole wheat)?
2. Ingredient list has 1 egg; instructions show add “eggs”??
3. Can any type of honey be used or must it be creamy.
Thanks.
4. When do you add the blueberries??? Recipe does not say.
Jennie
Hi Ann. Recipe corrected to include when to add the blueberries and it reads “egg” now, instead of “eggs”. Sorry about that…of how I’d love to have a top editor to catch these typos. Regarding flour, it is just all purpose. I’m working on a whole grain version of this, and will share that soon. Whole grain flours need less liquid, so it isn’t an even swap. As I might’ve noted, I only use creamy, churned honey. I’m sure regular honey will work, but can’t attest to the flavor since don’t use it in my kitchen.
Margie
For those of us living with loss, the unstructured nature of weekends can be unbearable. I can fill Saturday with busy-ness and lots of errands but Sunday is just an echo chamber of loneliness. My son died on a Sunday which certainly compounds the loss felt on that day. I often bake something wonderful on Sunday and find this helps.
Carolyn
Jennie – thank you for continuing to put your feelings and thoughts so poetically on your blog. Being so open helps to normalize what some of us feel with regards to our own grief journey. Your comment about the muffins not being perfect (in your eyes) reminded me of a Bob Marley quote: “Just because you are happy it does not mean that the day is perfect but that you have looked beyond its imperfections.” I think the muffins look terrifically yummy and will try them this weekend!
Sherry
Have you ever used flax eggs? My son has an egg allergy.
Jennie
I’ve not but have a friend who’s vegan, and she uses them often. It’s on my list to try! xo-Jennie
Holly
i confess- i hate muffins. and i HATE blueberries. but i do love baking, and my mother loves both muffins and blueberries. so i made these this morning (putting my faith in you and doubling the recipe because.. she REALLY loves muffins), and put a vanilla glaze on most of them.
i’ve eaten one myself so far and i’d go get more but i’m pretty sure she’s coiled on top of them like a dragon with a hoard. these are amazing, even to me, and i am 100% certain i’ll be making these when i meet my boyfriends family for christmas breakfast 🙂
Jennie
Oh, Holly! You made my day. Thanks so much for sharing this with me. I’m SO happy to hear you liked them!!! xo-Jennie