Bouchon Bakery Blueberry Muffins

We made it guys, day 5 of Blueberry Week! I’ve had so much fun putting together this week’s posts; hopefully you’ve discovered some new ideas that have you excited about using your summer bounty. Oh, and I really hope you’re not sick of blueberries yet. There were a few recipes that didn’t make this week’s cut that I’ll be sharing later this summer.

Today I thought we’d go classic with blueberry muffins, and just in time for you to enjoy them for breakfast this weekend! These aren’t just any old blueberry muffins, though, they’re from Thomas Keller’s Bouchon Bakery cookbook, and they are pretty darn fantastic. When Shane and I were in Vegas a few years ago we stopped by Bouchon Bakery for cupcakes, cookies and croissants, but didn’t try the muffins, and judging by the results of this recipe, I now realize that was a big mistake.

There are several things that make these some of the best blueberry muffins I’ve ever had. First, after the batter is made, it is refrigerated at least overnight. This allows the flour to absorb the liquid and results in a seriously moist and tender muffin. And while the rest period might seem like a pain, it’s actually kind of perfect because it means you can roll out of bed on Sunday morning, pour the batter into the pan and have freshly baked muffins in no time!

The muffins are absolutely packed with blueberries and have the most unique flavor thanks to the inclusion of a little molasses. It not only gives the muffins a darker, more caramel color, but adds that little something that really takes the flavor to the next level. Of course we can’t forget about the streusel topping – who doesn’t love a streusel topping?? Mine looks kind of sad and lacking, but only because I was gun-shy and didn’t top each muffin with enough before baking. Don’t be like me, load that streusel topping on! It’ll seem like SO much, but some will melt into the muffins and you’ll be glad you didn’t skimp. Even with the small amount on each of mine, the flavor came through and the slightly crunchy texture was a great complement to the tender muffin.

If you don’t already have a copy of the Bouchon Bakery cookbook, I can’t recommend it highly enough! I’ve tried a handful of recipes and each one has been better than the last. Totally worthy of a spot on your bookshelf 🙂

Bouchon Bakery Blueberry Muffins
slightly adapted from Bouchon Bakery by Thomas Keller and Sebastien Rouxel

{Note: The recipes in this book are given in both weight and volume measurements. I made the muffins using the weight measurements and would urge you to do the same for the best results. Also, the recipe makes way more streusel than you’ll need – either freeze the rest for another batch of muffins, or scale the recipe back to make only a third of it.}

Almond Streusel
120 g (3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons) all-purpose flour
120 g (1 cup plus 1 tablespoon) almond flour/meal
120 g (1/2 cup plus 1 1/2 tablespoons) granulated sugar
0.6 g (1/4 teaspoon) kosher salt
120 g (4.2 oz, just over 8 tablespoons) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/4-inch pieces

Muffins
180 g (3/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons) frozen wild blueberries
96 g (1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour, divided
109 g (3/4 cup plus 1 1/2 tablespoons) cake flour
2.8 g (1/2 plus 1/8 teaspoon) baking powder
2.8 g (1/2 plus 1/8 teaspoon) baking soda
2.4 g (3/4 teaspoon) salt
96 g (3.4 oz, about 7 tablespoons) unsalted butter, at room temperature
96 g (1/2 cup) granulated sugar
40 g (2 tablespoons) molasses
54 g (2 1/2 tablespoons) honey
72 g (1/4 cup plus 1 1/2 teaspoons) eggs
1.2 g (1/4 teaspoon) vanilla extract
57 g (1/4 cup) buttermilk

To make the streusel: Whisk the all-purpose flour, almond flour, sugar, and salt together in a medium bowl. Add the butter and toss to coat with the dry ingredients, then cut it into them using a pastry cutter until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before using. The streusel can be made ahead – refrigerate for up to 2 days, or freeze for up to 1 month.

To make the muffins: In a small bowl, toss the frozen blueberries and 10 g (1 tablespoon) of the flour until the blueberries are coated. Place the bowl in your freezer.

Add the remaining 86 g of flour to a medium bowl. Sift the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into the bowl and whisk to combine. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter on medium-low speed until it has a mayonnaise-like consistency. Mix in the sugar on medium-low speed until the butter-sugar mixture is fluffy. Add the molasses and honey, beating until well combined, and scraping down the bottom and sides of the bowl as necessary. Mix in the eggs and vanilla until just incorporated. Alternately add the dry ingredients and buttermilk in 2 additions each, beginning with the dry ingredients and finishing with the buttermilk.

Give the batter a final stir with a rubber spatula to ensure everything is combined, then cover the bowl and refrigerate at least overnight, or up to 36 hours.

When you’re ready to bake, preheat oven to 425 F. Line muffin pan with paper liners. Take the muffin batter from the refrigerator and allow to sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes so it’ll soften slightly. Grab the blueberries from the freezer, and add them to the batter, folding to incorporate. Divide the batter evenly among the prepared liners, filling each about 2/3 to 3/4 full. Top each muffin with about 2 tablespoons of the streusel.

Transfer the muffins to the oven, and immediately lower the oven temperature to 325 F. Bake for about 32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Transfer the pan to a wire rack and allow the muffins to cool for about 5-10 minutes, then remove them to the rack to cool completely.

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days.

Makes about 14 muffins