Cherry Almond Muffins

Total Time

Prep: 20 min. Bake: 30 min.

Makes

7 muffins

Updated: Jun. 10, 2022
As a kid, I loved doughnuts filled with custard or jelly. So I decided to experiment with fillings in muffins. The result was this terrific recipe. These fancy muffins are almost like a pastry with a creamy center and a nutty streusel topping. -John Montgomery, Fortuna, California

Ingredients

  • 1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup cold butter, cubed
  • 1 large egg
  • 3/4 cup sour cream
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract
  • FILLING:
  • 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup cherry preserves, warmed
  • TOPPING:
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 tablespoons cold butter
  • 1/3 cup chopped sliced almonds

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Cut in butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Beat the egg, sour cream and extract until smooth; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened (batter will be thick).
  2. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, egg, sugar and vanilla until smooth. In a saucepan over low heat, warm preserves. For topping, combine flour and sugar in a small bowl; cut in butter until crumbly. Stir in almonds.
  3. Fill greased jumbo muffin cups half full with batter. Divide cream cheese filling and preserves evenly among muffin cups; swirl gently. Cover with remaining batter. Sprinkle with topping.
  4. Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in muffin comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks. Serve warm.
Editor's Note: If using regular-size muffin cups, bake for 20-25 minutes.

Nutrition Facts

1 jumbo muffin: 684 calories, 36g fat (21g saturated fat), 157mg cholesterol, 496mg sodium, 80g carbohydrate (49g sugars, 2g fiber), 10g protein.