Cooking with Ease: Go Blue with Blueberry Muffins

Rockwall, TX (March 26, 2024) – Blueberry muffins have always been a favorite of mine. My husband, Evan, loves savory for breakfast, but I will always choose sweets. I drink my coffee black, no cream, no sugar, so I can get both of those in a muffin, a donut, a kolache, or a piece of leftover birthday cake.

I was probably nine years old the first time I made blueberry muffins. My mom always bought the boxed Betty Crocker Wild Blueberry Muffin Mix. You know, the one that had the can of blue juice and teeny tiny “blueberries” in it. I was surprising my parents with breakfast in bed, so I didn’t ask for any help, and for whatever reason, I did not read the directions to know you were supposed to drain the juice. This batch of blueberry muffins got the tiny blueberries AND the blueberry juice baked into it. They were bright blue! I surprised them for sure!

If you read this column often, you know I have always been so thankful for my raising. I was beyond blessed with a great childhood. But there are lots and lots of people that were not and are not.

As we enter April, Child Abuse Prevention Month, my mind goes to my adult friends who endured childhood abuse. I want to be intentional about leaving space for those friends to share their stories with me. I have so much respect for the grown-up children of abuse. These individuals not only figured out ways to navigate their environment, but they also made decisions, changes, and plans to ensure they got out and did not repeat the pattern. Of course, I would prefer to always think of shiny, happy, positive things. But there are times when we must, “in our joys, find grace to enter the sorrows of others.” The opportunities to support these friends will come up as they should. Some may not want to visit their past. But I encourage you to be open to the conversation.

If you are a friend who experienced abuse as a child, find someone to talk to. Rockwall has many wonderful therapists. Online therapists are easy to find as well. You can seek confidentiality from a pastor, a friend, or a spouse. Just know you are seen. As we turn our hearts and minds to the children of abuse, you are not forgotten.

“Among us are some who arrive anxious, some who are lonely, some who suffer pain or sorrow. May we in our joys find grace to enter the sorrows of others. Among us are some who arrive rejoicing, hearts made glad with good news, good health, glad anticipation. May we in our sorrows find grace to embrace the joys of others.” ~ Excerpt from Every Moment Holy: A Liturgy to Begin a Purposeful Gathering

Cafe Style Blueberry Muffins

Ingredients

½ cup softened butter

1¼ cups sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups flour

½ teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons baking powder

½ cup milk

2 cups blueberries

3 teaspoons coarse sugar, for topping

Directions: Preheat the oven to 375. Cream the butter and 1¼ cups sugar until combined. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla. Sift together the flour, salt, and baking powder, and add to the creamed mixture alternately with the milk. Crush ½ cup blueberries and mix into the batter. Fold in the remaining whole berries. Line a 12-cup standard muffin tin with cupcake liners, and fill it with batter. Sprinkle the 3 teaspoons of sugar over the tops of the muffins and bake at 375 degrees for about 30-35 minutes.