Easy Jam Filled Muffins Recipe (Quick Breakfast!)

These homemade jam filled muffins are wonderfully tender treats that hold a sweet, fruity surprise inside. I love how simple they are to bake and how quickly they vanish from the cooling rack. They are perfect for a quick breakfast on the go or a delightful afternoon snack with a cup of tea.

Two raspberry-stuffed muffins on a white plate, one cut open to reveal the vibrant filling, with a jar of raspberry jam in the background.

Why You’ll Adore These Muffins

Do you find joy in little surprises? I certainly do, especially when that surprise involves delicious food. There is something particularly fun about biting into a soft muffin and discovering a burst of bright, fruity jam tucked away in the center. It feels like finding a hidden treasure in every single bite.

These jam muffins offer just that kind of delightful moment. They have a lovely tender texture and conceal a sweet surprise inside a pocket of your favorite jam. While I often reach for raspberry jam because I usually have a jar open, you can use any flavor you adore. This recipe has been a favorite of mine for many years, and I am always happy to bake a batch.

A close-up of golden muffins with visible fruit fillings, arranged on a cooling rack, accompanied by a jar of jam and vintage utensils.

What You Will Need to Bake Jam Muffins

Gathering your ingredients is the first step toward these delightful treats. You probably have most of these pantry staples ready to go.

All purpose flour (I prefer using unbleached flour when I can)
Brown sugar
Granulated sugar
Baking powder
Salt
One large egg
Milk
Melted butter (Using salted butter works well in this recipe)
Vanilla extract
Your choice of jam (Raspberry jam is lovely, but feel free to use any flavor. You can even try using jelly instead of jam if you like.)

Two blueberry muffins on a white surface, showcasing their golden texture and blueberry specks, with a jar of blueberry jam in the background.

Simple Steps for Making Jam Filled Muffins

Creating these jam filled muffins is a straightforward process, perfect for bakers of any skill level. Just follow these steps, and you will have warm, delicious muffins ready in no time.

Prepare your muffin tin. You can either place paper liners in each cup or use a non stick cooking spray generously to coat the inside of the cups.
In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients. Add the flour, both kinds of sugar, the baking powder, and the salt to the bowl. Give them a quick stir to make sure everything is mixed evenly.
In a separate medium bowl, prepare the wet ingredients. Whisk together the egg, the milk, the melted butter, and the vanilla extract until they are well combined.
Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl containing the dry ingredients. Stir everything together gently. Mix just until the dry ingredients are moistened and no streaks of flour remain. Be careful not to overmix the batter.
Scoop about half of the muffin batter into each prepared muffin cup. You will use roughly two tablespoons of batter for each cup at this stage.
Using the back of a spoon, gently make a small indentation in the center of the batter in each muffin cup. Then, carefully add about one generous teaspoon of your chosen jam into the indentation.
Spoon the remaining muffin batter on top of the jam in each cup. Make sure the jam is fully covered by the batter. Each muffin cup should be filled about two thirds of the way full with batter.
Place the filled muffin tin into an oven that has been preheated to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius). Bake the muffins for about 20 minutes. You can check if they are done by inserting a toothpick into the center of a muffin. If it comes out clean, they are ready.

A batch of golden blueberry muffins cooling on a wire rack, surrounded by vintage forks and a bowl of blueberry jam.

Helpful Advice for Perfect Jam Muffins

Here are a few handy tips to help you get the best results when baking these delightful jam filled muffins.

Choose Your Filling: You have flexibility with the filling. Both jam and jelly work beautifully inside these muffins, and any flavor you love will be delicious. Raspberry and strawberry are personal favorites, but feel free to experiment with apricot, blueberry, or grape.
To Line or Not to Line: Deciding whether to use muffin liners comes down to personal preference. I tend to use paper liners when I am baking muffins to share with friends or neighbors because it makes them easy to handle. If the muffins are just for my family to enjoy at home, I often just use a good quality non stick baking spray directly on the muffin tin cups.
Consistent Scoops: For muffins that bake evenly and look uniform, try using a disher or ice cream scoop to portion the batter into the muffin cups. This helps ensure each muffin is roughly the same size, leading to more consistent baking times and results.
Paper Liners are Fine: As mentioned, if you prefer using paper liners over spraying the tin, that works perfectly well. They help prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.

A tray of golden-brown jam-filled muffins cooling on a wire rack, with a jar of raspberry jam and vintage forks nearby.

Questions People Often Ask About Jam Muffins

Here are answers to some common questions you might have about making and storing these tasty jam filled muffins.

Can I make smaller muffins using this recipe?

Yes, you definitely can make mini muffins. Simply follow the recipe instructions exactly as written, but pour the batter into a mini muffin tin instead of a standard one.

Does the baking time change for mini muffins?

Yes, mini muffins will bake much faster than regular sized ones. You will need to shorten the baking time to approximately 9 to 11 minutes.

What is the best way to store these muffins?

Once the muffins have cooled completely, store them in an airtight container. You can keep them stored airtight at room temperature for about 2 to 3 days.

Can I keep the muffins for longer than a few days?

Yes, if you need to store them for a bit longer, placing the airtight container in the refrigerator can extend their freshness to about 5 to 7 days.

Are these muffins suitable for freezing?

Absolutely. Muffins freeze very well. After they have cooled completely, put them into an airtight container or a freezer safe bag.

How long can they stay in the freezer?

When stored properly in an airtight freezer container, these jam muffins can last in the freezer for up to three months.

How do I thaw frozen muffins?

You can simply let the frozen muffins thaw at room temperature for an hour or two. If you like them warm, you can heat one in the microwave for about 20 seconds after thawing.