Easy Cherry Cobbler Muffins with Crumb Streusel Topping

Imagine sinking your teeth into a wonderfully soft muffin bursting with juicy, slightly tart cherries, all crowned with a delightfully crumbly streusel topping. If you love the comforting flavors of cherry cobbler, I know you are going to absolutely adore these bakery-style muffins. They are surprisingly easy to whip up, making them perfect for a special breakfast treat or a simple afternoon pick-me-up.

What You’ll Need from Your Pantry and Fridge

Gathering your ingredients is the first step to baking something truly special. This recipe uses common baking staples, plus that star ingredient, cherry pie filling. Here is everything you need to make a batch of twelve delicious muffins.

For the Muffin Batter

• Two cups plus one extra tablespoon of all purpose flour
• Half a teaspoon of salt
• Two teaspoons of baking powder
• Two large eggs
• A quarter cup of salted butter, melted and then cooled
• Half a cup of granulated sugar
• One teaspoon of vanilla extract
• Three quarters of a cup of milk
• One twenty one ounce can of cherry pie filling, you will divide this later

For the Crumbly Streusel Topping

• A quarter cup of cold salted butter, cut into small cubes
• Half a cup of all purpose flour
• One teaspoon of baking powder
• A quarter cup of granulated sugar
• A quarter teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• One tablespoon of milk or heavy cream

Ideas for Swapping and Adding Flavor

One of the best things about baking at home is how easily you can customize recipes. While these cherry cobbler muffins are perfect just the way they are, here are a few simple ways you can change them up or add something extra.

• Change the Pie Filling Flavor You absolutely do not have to stick with cherry. Think of other canned fruit pie filling flavors you love. Raspberry, peach, blueberry, or even apple could make equally wonderful muffins. Experiment and find your favorite.
• Using Fresh or Frozen Cherries If you prefer not to use canned pie filling, you can definitely substitute with fresh or frozen cherries instead. If you choose frozen cherries, make sure they are completely thawed first. It is also important to drain away any excess liquid from thawed or fresh cherries before adding them to your batter to prevent the muffins from becoming too wet.
• Add Some Nuts for Crunch For a delightful contrast in texture, consider adding chopped nuts to your muffin batter. Pecans or walnuts are classic choices that pair beautifully with the sweet and tart cherry flavor. A small handful folded gently into the batter just before scooping can add a lovely nutty element.

Baking These Wonderful Muffins Step by Step

Ready to create some baking magic in your kitchen? Follow these simple steps to make a batch of these amazing cherry cobbler muffins. We will start with the muffin batter and then move on to that irresistible streusel topping before baking them to golden perfection.

For the Muffin Batter

1. Get your oven ready by preheating it to three hundred seventy five degrees Fahrenheit. Prepare a twelve cup muffin pan. You can line each cup with paper liners or give them a good spray with non stick cooking spray.
2. Take a smaller bowl and combine the dry ingredients for the muffins. That is the flour, salt, and baking powder. Give them a gentle stir to mix everything together evenly. Set this bowl aside for a moment.
3. Now, in a larger mixing bowl, you will combine the wet ingredients. Whisk or use beaters to mix together the eggs, the melted and cooled butter, the granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and the milk. Beat until they are well combined.
4. Pour the dry ingredients from the small bowl into the liquid mixture in the large bowl. Stir very gently just until everything is barely combined. It is really important not to overmix the batter at this stage.
5. Take half of the canned cherry pie filling, which is roughly one cup. Put this portion into a strainer and rinse the thick pie filling away from the cherries under running water. Let the rinsed cherries drain completely in the strainer to remove as much liquid as possible.
6. Toss those rinsed and drained cherries with the extra tablespoon of flour you set aside earlier. Gently fold these floured cherries into the muffin batter. Stir only until the cherries are distributed throughout the batter.
7. Carefully divide the muffin batter among the twelve prepared muffin cups. An ice cream scoop or a large spoon works well for this.

For the Streusel Topping

8. Return to the remaining cherry pie filling still in the can. Place about two or three cherries on top of the batter in each muffin cup. Add just a small spoonful of the thicker pie filling liquid over the top as well.
9. In a separate small bowl, start making the streusel topping. Use your fingertips, a pastry blender, or even a fork to combine the cold butter cubes with the flour, baking powder, sugar, and cinnamon. Mix until crumbly pieces form.
10. Pour the tablespoon of milk or heavy cream into the streusel mixture. Mix it in gently until it comes together slightly but still remains crumbly.
11. Sprinkle this prepared streusel mixture generously over the cherries and batter in each of the muffin cups. Make sure to cover the tops well.
12. Place the muffin pan into your preheated oven. Bake for approximately twenty two to twenty five minutes. You can tell if they are done by inserting a toothpick into the center of a muffin. It should come out with only a few moist crumbs attached, not wet batter.
13. Once baked, take the pan out of the oven. Let the muffins cool in the pan for about ten minutes. After this initial cooling time, carefully remove the muffins from the pan and transfer them onto a wire rack to finish cooling completely.
14. These muffins are best enjoyed warm, especially with that crumbly topping and warm cherry filling.

Helpful Baking Tips for Your Muffins

Achieving perfect muffins every time is easier with a few key tips in mind. These little pointers can make a big difference in the final texture and appearance of your cherry cobbler muffins.

• Be very careful not to overmix the muffin batter. Over stirring develops the gluten in the flour too much. This can result in muffins that are dense and tough instead of light and fluffy. Just mix until the dry ingredients are incorporated.
• It is important to manage the moisture from the cherries. Adding too many cherries or including too much of the pie filling liquid directly into the batter can make the muffins take longer to bake. They might also end up with a gummy texture. Rinsing and thoroughly draining the cherries you mix into the batter, perhaps even patting them dry with a paper towel, helps a lot.
• Tossing the rinsed cherries with a little flour before folding them into the batter is a simple trick. This helps prevent the cherries from sinking to the bottom of the muffin cups during baking. It also helps keep the cherry color from bleeding into the batter, ensuring a beautiful look. The cherries stay nicely distributed throughout the muffins.
• Oven temperatures can sometimes be inconsistent or vary slightly from the setting. It is a good idea to check your oven calibration occasionally if you suspect this is an issue. Always start checking for muffin doneness at the shorter end of the recommended baking time range. This prevents accidental overbaking.
• Do not leave the baked muffins sitting in the hot pan for too long after taking them out of the oven. The residual heat held by the metal pan continues to cook the muffins. This can dry them out or make the bottoms too dark. Moving them to a wire rack after about ten minutes allows them to cool properly and stops the cooking process.

Enjoying Your Cherry Cobbler Muffins

These delicious cherry cobbler muffins are wonderfully versatile when it comes to serving. They truly feel like a special treat any time of day.

I love them warmed up slightly, maybe with a cup of my favorite coffee or tea in the morning. They make breakfast feel indulgent without being complicated. They are also just perfect as an afternoon snack when you need a little pick me up. Imagine one with an iced tea on a warm day.

Because they are muffins, they are incredibly portable too. This makes them ideal for packing in a lunch, taking to a picnic, or bringing to a potluck brunch. They offer that comforting, homemade goodness wherever you go.

If you find yourself really enjoying the cobbler flavor profile, you might also like trying out other recipes in that family. Maybe something like a classic peach or berry cobbler. Or if you are on a muffin baking spree, exploring other fruit filled options like blueberry muffins or even seasonal choices could be fun.

Keeping Your Delicious Muffins Fresh

Once you have baked a batch of these delightful muffins, you will want to make sure you store them properly so they stay delicious. Here are the best ways to keep them fresh, whether you are enjoying them now or saving some for later.

• Preparing Ahead of Time If you are planning to bake these for a specific event or just want to get some of the work done in advance, you can prepare the muffin batter the day before you plan to bake. Just follow all the steps for making the batter up to the point where you would normally scoop it into the muffin cups. Cover the bowl of batter tightly with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container. Keep it in the refrigerator overnight. When you are ready to bake the next day, simply scoop the chilled batter into your prepared muffin cups and bake following the recipe instructions.
• Storing at Room Temperature For short term storage, your baked cherry cobbler muffins will stay lovely and fresh stored at room temperature. Place them in an airtight container. A zip top bag or a container with a tight fitting lid works well. They should keep nicely on your counter for about two to three days. Make sure they are completely cooled before storing to prevent them from getting soggy.
• Freezing Muffins for Longer Storage Yes, you can definitely freeze these muffins. Freezing is a fantastic option if you want to save some for much later or if you tend to bake in larger batches. Once the muffins are completely cooled, place them in an airtight container or a freezer safe bag. Try to remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. Properly stored, they can last in the freezer for up to one month. To enjoy a frozen muffin, just let it thaw at room temperature or warm it gently in the microwave or oven.

Why I Think You Will Fall in Love with This Recipe

There are so many reasons to adore these cherry cobbler muffins. They combine the best parts of a favorite dessert with the convenience of a muffin. Here is why I think they will become a regular in your baking rotation.

• A Lovely Burst of Fruity Flavor The star of the show is definitely the cherries. Using cherry pie filling gives you those wonderful pockets of sweet and slightly tart fruit throughout each muffin. Paired with the cinnamon streusel, it really captures that cozy, classic cobbler taste in every single bite.
• The Ultimate Portable Treat Muffins are inherently easy to grab and go. Whether you need a quick breakfast on a busy morning, a simple snack to take to work, or something sweet to pack for an outing, these muffins are perfectly designed for it. They are neat, self contained portions of deliciousness.
• That Special Homemade Comfort There is just something extra special about a homemade treat. These cherry cobbler muffins deliver that warm, comforting feeling that only home baking can provide. They have that wonderful texture and flavor that often feels missing from store bought baked goods. Making them yourself also fills your home with the most amazing aroma.

Common Questions About Making These Muffins

Here are answers to a few questions people often ask when making cherry cobbler muffins like these.

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