Jalapeño Cornbread Muffins

Ingredients

To prepare this comforting Savory Jalapeño Cornbread Muffins recipe, you’ll need:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup yellow cornmeal
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 jalapeños, thinly sliced, plus extra for topping
• 4 oz cream cheese, cut into small cubes

Optional Substitutions:

• For a gluten-free version: Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
• For a lighter version: Use reduced-fat sour cream and cheese.
• For less heat: Swap out jalapeños for mild green chilies.

How to Make Savory Jalapeño Cornbread Muffins

Follow these steps to create your own delicious muffins:

1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a muffin tin with paper liners or lightly grease with cooking spray.
2. Mix the dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. Prepare the wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the buttermilk, eggs, melted butter, and sour cream. Stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until just combined—be careful not to overmix.
4. Add the flavor: Fold in the shredded cheddar cheese and sliced jalapeños, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
5. Fill the muffin cups: Fill each muffin cup halfway with the batter. Place a cube of cream cheese in the center of each muffin cup, then top with more batter until the cups are about 3/4 full.
6. Garnish and bake: Place a slice of jalapeño on top of each muffin for garnish. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the muffins are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the cornbread (not the cream cheese) comes out clean.
7. Cool and serve: Allow the muffins to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy them warm for the best flavor experience!

Helpful Tips

Perfect Muffins Every Time

• Avoid overmixing: Stir the wet and dry ingredients until just combined to keep your muffins light and fluffy.
• Even cream cheese distribution: To ensure the cream cheese stays in the center, use a spoon to make a small well in the batter before adding the cheese cube.
• Spice control: If you prefer less heat, remove the seeds from the jalapeños before slicing.

Cooking Tips

Enhance Your Muffins with These Simple Tricks

• Flavor Enhancements: For a smoky twist, try adding a teaspoon of smoked paprika or a handful of cooked, crumbled bacon to the batter.
• Equipment Tips: Using a cookie scoop to portion the batter into the muffin tin will help you achieve evenly sized muffins, which will bake more uniformly.