Strawberry Jelly Donut Muffins

jelly filled muffins on parchment lined pan with strawberries and flowers around.

Strawberry Jelly Donut Muffins

Enjoy a bite of something sweet with these fluffy Strawberry Jelly Donut Muffins! This easy recipe combines a cakey donut batter with a burst of sweet strawberry jelly in every bite. Perfect for breakfast, snacks, or anytime you need a taste of nostalgia.

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 25

Cook Time: 25

Total Time: 50

Servings: muffins

Calories: 385kcal

Ingredients

Strawberry Jam

2 pounds fresh strawberries chopped
2½ cups granulated sugar
½ cup lemon juice

Muffins

3 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
⅓ teaspoon baking soda
½ cup vegetable oil
⅔ cup granulated sugar
7 Tablespoons brown sugar
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup whole milk

Assembly

powdered sugar

Instructions

Jam

Combine strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice in a medium saucepan.
Cook over medium/medium-low heat, stirring as needed to prevent burning, until sugar has dissolved and mixture has thickened.
Set aside to cool, or refrigerate until needed.

Muffins

Heat oven to 350℉/177℃.
Spray muffin pans with baking spray. Set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and both sugars together.
Add vegetable oil, eggs, vanilla, and milk.
Mix until well combined.
Use a 3 Tablespoon scoop to portion batter into prepared pans.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until muffins test done.

Assembly

Roll all muffins in powdered sugar. Set aside.
Fill pastry bag fitted with a bismark tip with jam.
Working with one muffin at a time, insert tip into side of muffin and squeeze to fill with jam.

Notes

How to Store Your Strawberry Jelly Donut Muffins:

Since these muffins are filled with delicious strawberry jelly, it's best to store them in the refrigerator. Here's how to keep them fresh:

Refrigeration: Store your donut muffins in an airtight container or zip-top bag in the refrigerator for to 2-3 days.

Make Ahead Option:

If you want to make these ahead of time, you can freeze the unfilled muffins for up to 3 months in advance and fill them later. Here's how:

Let the muffins cool completely.
Wrap each muffin tightly in plastic wrap.
Place the wrapped muffins in a single layer inside a freezer-safe container or zip-top freezer bag. Squeeze out any excess air to prevent freezer burn.

To thaw frozen unfilled muffins:

Remove the desired number of muffins from the freezer and thaw them at room temperature for 1-2 hours, or overnight in the refrigerator.
Once thawed, fill the muffins with your favorite strawberry jelly and enjoy!

For the Filled Muffins, Here's How to Freeze:

Wrap each muffin tightly in plastic wrap (the jam may get a little messy!)
Place the wrapped muffins in a single layer inside a freezer-safe container or zip-top freezer bag. Squeeze out any excess air to prevent freezer burn.

To thaw frozen filled muffins:

Remove the desired number of muffins from the freezer and place them on a plate at room temperature. They should thaw within 1-2 hours. The double wrapping will help prevent the jam from leaking.

Success Tips and Troubleshooting:

Here are some tips to ensure your Strawberry Jelly Donut Muffins turn out light, fluffy, and bursting with delicious jammy goodness:

Muffins Aren't Rising: Did your muffins come out flat or dense? There could be a couple of culprits. First, ensure you haven't overmixed the batter. Overmixing develops gluten, leading to tough and compact muffins. Mix just until the dry ingredients are incorporated with a few streaks of flour remaining. Second, double-check your baking powder or baking soda. Expired leavening agents won't provide enough lift.
Muffins Sticking to the Pan: No liners means the potential for sticking. Here are a few tips: Make sure your oven is preheated completely before placing the batter in the pan. This allows for a quick initial rise and helps prevent sticking. Generously grease the muffin pan, paying particular attention to the sides and bottom of each well. You can also dust the greased pan with a little flour for extra insurance against sticking.
Tough Filling Injection: Filling the muffins after baking can be tricky. The best way to fill these donuts is to change the angle of the tip as your filling the donuts. Up, down, left, and right. This helps distribute the jam throughout the muffin!
Overfilling the Muffins: It's tempting to add a lot of jam, but resist the urge to overfill the muffins. Too much jam can cause them to burst or become soggy. Start with a smaller amount and add more if desired.

Nutrition