Strawberry Muffins

Ingredients

• 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter ( melted and cooled at least 5 minutes )
• ¼ cup neutral cooking oil ((avocado, vegetable, or canola oil))
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg + 1 egg white (room temperature preferred)
• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• ½ cup buttermilk ((see note))
• 1 ¾ cup all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 teaspoons corn starch (cornflour UK)
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 ½ cup hulled (chopped strawberries)
• Coarse sugar, for sprinkling (see note)

Steps

1. 1

   Combine butter and canola oil in a large bowl and whisk until well-combined.

2. 2

   Add sugar and whisk to combine.

3. 3

   Add egg, egg white, and vanilla extract. Whisk vigorously, until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.

4. 4

   Gradually whisk in buttermilk until completely combined.

5. 5

   In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, corn starch, and salt.

6. 6

   Fold the dry ingredients into the wet gently, taking care not to over-mix the batter. Once about half of the dry ingredients have been combined, add your chopped strawberries and continue to gently stir until ingredients are just combined.

7. 7

   Optional, but recommended: Cover bowl with a dry towel and allow the batter to rest for 30-60 minutes before proceeding (see "resting note" below for more info). Meanwhile, preheat your oven.

8. 8

   Preheat oven to 425F (215C) and line a 12-count muffin tin with paper liners.

9. 9

   Once oven has preheated, evenly divide batter into prepared tin (note: this recipe will make 12 muffins, but for bigger/bakery style muffins i recommend dividing the batter into only 9 muffin liners!).

10. 10

    Sprinkle a small bit of sugar over the top of each muffin.

11. 11

    Transfer to center rack of 425F (215C) preheated oven and bake for 8 minutes and then (without opening the oven door) reduce the oven temperature to 350F (175C) and bake another 10-12 minutes, or until tops are just beginning to turn golden brown.

12. 12

    Allow muffins to cool in their tin for 5-7 minutes then carefully remove from muffin tin and transfer to cooling rack to cool completely before enjoying.