Homemade Cherry Muffins made with fresh cherries. Fresh bing cherries, or other sweet cherries are the star of these muffins.
It's cherry season here and I'm busy with everything cherries. These muffins are made with sweet cherries, not tart cherries.
We have two cherry trees; a Bing cherry tree and a tart or sour pie cherry tree. We planted both trees 14 years ago and while they still aren't what I would call mature trees, they are producing a lot of fruit.
I'm always looking for new ways to use to use whatever we are harvesting. These cherry muffins are my newest way to use the Bing cherries.
What kind of cherries can I use?
I used Bing cherries, because that is the type we grow. You could also use Rainier, Queen, Lapins or your favorite cherry.
How do I pit cherries?
Pitting cherries can be a challenge. I've started using a cherry pitter to get the seed out. It works great, but it's not fast since my pitter does one cherry at a time.
What equipment do I need to make these muffins?
Here are some items that might make baking these muffins easier:
- Cherry Pitter - this pits one cherry at a time
- Muffin Tins - you need a good set of tins, especially if baking without paper liners
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Scoop - helpful for adding batter to tine. A scoop helps ensure all muffins are the same size.
- Baking Rack - for cooling muffins after baking
Do I need to use paper liners in my muffin tin?
You can use paper liners if you'd like. I tend to make my muffins without the liners. It's really a personal choice. If you don't use the liners, just be certain to grease your tins before adding batter.
How long do the muffins bake?
I bake these muffins for 18-20 minutes. The time varies a bit depending on your oven. I always start at 18 minutes and then 1-2 minutes if needed.
How can I tell if my muffins are done?
- First look at your muffin. Is it a nice golden brown color across the top?
- Next use a toothpick and insert it in the center. It should come out with just a few crumbs and not gummy.
Do I need to let my muffins cool before eating?
Yes! Allow muffins to stay in tin for about 5 minutes and then remove and continue cooling until ready to eat. Muffins are best if they cool for about 10 minutes on rack before eating. The muffins hold together better if cooled.
What else can I bake with fresh cherries?
If you are looking for other recipes using cherries, you'll want to check out Cherry Cake, Cherry Pie Filling, Cherry Crisp and Cherry Cobbler.
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Other muffin recipes
If you love making muffins, check out these recipes:
- Oatmeal Banana Muffins
- Blueberry Muffins
- Raspberry Muffins
- Poppy Seed Muffins
- Zucchini Muffins
- Blackberry Muffins
- Triple Berry Muffins
- Huckleberry Muffins
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop
Check out all my muffin recipes!
Cherry Muffins
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups flour
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 Tablespoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 egg
- ¾ cup Greek yogurt (plain)
- ½ cup oil (canola or vegetable)
- ½ cup milk
- ½ teaspoon almond extract (or vanilla extract)
- 1 ½ cups sweet cherries (pitted and chopped)
Instructions
- Combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt into a bowl.
- In a separate bowl, combine egg, yogurt, oil, milk and almond extract
- Add liquid mixture to flour mixture. Mix to combine.
- Fold in cherries.
- Scoop batter into greased muffin tins.
- Bake in a preheated 400 degree oven for 18-20 minutes.
- Cool in pan for 5 minutes and then remove from pan and continue cooling on a baking rack.
Notes
Nutrition
Sharon Miller says
Can I use canned cherries in this recipe?
Kathy says
Hi Sharon,
I have not made these with canned cherries. However, I believe that if you are using canned cherries packed in a juice and you drain the juice all the way, they should work fine. I would also pat the cherries with a paper towel to help remove any excess liquid. Let me know how they turn out!
Kathy 🙂
Maylyn says
I just baked this today and it was delicious and so soft.. i thought it will be hard but when i ate it.. it was so soft.. i made a normal size muffin and minis for my one year old son.. im sure he’ll love it too.. thanks for the recipe.. definitely make this again.
Kathy says
I hope your little one loves them too! Great idea to make them as mini muffins too!
Tamara R says
Could you use sour cherries and maybe increase the sugar?
Kathy says
Hi Tamara,
You could use sour cherries in these muffins. If you increase the sugar, only increase by 1/4 cup. If you like the tartness of the cherries, they'd be delicious even without increasing the sugar. Let me know how they turn out!
Happy Baking!!!
Cheryl says
Yummy! I love muffins. They're so easy to freeze and last longer that way. We had no cherries this year. Well, practically none out of 4 trees. The few that appeared the birds got to them before us. Sometimes there's bad years. I'd think this muffin recipe would take frozen cherries quite nicely.
Kathy says
Frozen cherries should work perfectly in these muffins! We often have off years on our trees too. Thanks goodness for the freezer and storing them from the previous year!
2pots2cook says
Perfect to pack for my office to have with coffee. Thank you so much !
Kathy says
I love taking homemade treats into work - sometimes I even share them! 🙂
Valentina says
I love baking with fresh summer fruit and these perfectly golden muffins look amazing. Lucky you to have two cherry trees! Not only for the tasty fruit, but for the pretty spring blossoms. 🙂 ~Valentina
Kathy says
I do love having the trees and harvesting what they produce.
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
Nothing better during the summer than a fruit-filled muffin Kathy! I've been making them nonstop alll summer long. Will add these to my list!
Alexandra @ It's Not Complicated Recipes says
I had some cherries left over at Christmas time, when they were at their best here in Australia - I froze them, so I will definitely make these muffins! Perfect!
[email protected] says
I love these!! My mouth is watering just thinking about them! Would love one slathered in butter with my morning coffee!!
David @ Spiced says
14 years, eh? We had our cherry tree at the old house for about 8 years, and it was just starting to produce a couple cherries each summer. The squirrels ate them long before we could, though. In fact, I think that's the only thing I miss about our old house...the fruit trees and my blackberry thicket. I think the new owners chopped it all down, too. 🙁 Oh well, I guess I'll just have to start again...or just send you my address! Haha. These muffins sound delicious!
Kathy says
We started with just small whips of trees. You can purchase more mature ones and then not have to wait quite as long.