Delicious, soft and fluffy baked jam doughnut muffins. No need for yeast in this recipe. It’s a quick and easy muffin style bake, but it looks and tastes very much like a traditional doughnut.
When I saw the recipe and accompanying pictures for baked jam doughnut muffins over at Lavender and Lovage, I knew it was only a matter of time before I tried them myself. As ever, Karen’s photographs are beautiful, but it was the recipe itself that enticed me.
I love doughnuts, but never buy them as they are, somehow the epitome of junk food. I’ve been wanting to try some of these baked doughnut style muffins for ages, but as soon as I come across a recipe, I lose it again. This time I bookmarked it.
Chocolate Jam
Although my cupboards are overflowing with my own homemade jams at the moment, I wanted to try these doughnut muffins with a very special jam. The queen of jams herself, Vivien Lloyd, recently sent me a jar of her raspberry chocolate jam. Following on from my blackberry chocolate jam, I was keen to see how it compared to the real thing. A taste test was in order.
The first thing I noticed was the deep red colour, just a little darker than you’d expect a raspberry jam to be. It looked enticing. On opening the jar a zingy aroma leapt out; raspberries in their full fruity glory. The consistency was perfect, it stayed where it was put. Not too runny, but not too firm either.
Chocolate Jam Taste Test
It was the taste I was keen to try however. Getting the balance between fruit and chocolate is a tricky one; you want to taste both and not have one overwhelm the other. Raspberry was the first flavour to hit my tongue and it was glorious, but hot on its heels came the chocolate, adding depth and strength to an already delicious jam.
Mine is a very different sort of preserve. I’d sieved the blackberries for a start, as I find blackberry seeds rather more annoying than raspberry ones. Despite this, I think I’ll try them whole next time as it’s nice to get some texture. My jam has a soft set, so it’s runnier than Vivien’s, but the real difference is in the flavour.
The aroma wafting up from my jam is pure chocolate and that’s the taste that first hits the palate. The blackberry comes through very soon after, but the balance is the opposite to the raspberry jam. I was very pleased with my jam which is quite delicious, but it doesn’t have the subtlety I now see is desirable. I’ve been lucky to learn from a master.
Jam Doughnut Muffins
I found there was too much mixture for the suggested six muffins in Karen’s recipe and ended up making eight very large ones. I used only a fraction of the butter and sugar for coating at the end as neither CT nor I like our bakes to be overly sweet and I didn’t want them to be tooooooo unhealthy. As it turned out, it was plenty.
I also used a mix of half wholemeal flour and half plain white. And I made my own “buttermilk” too. I have a handy trick for this which you can use if ever a recipe requires sour milk or buttermilk.
The method is a normal quick and easy muffin style. Basically that means, you stir wet ingredients into dry and mix until everything just about comes together. You don’t want to over mix muffins or they’re likely to end up on the heavy side, rather than the more desirable soft and light.
For a more authentic yeast version, but still baked rather than fried, take a look at my recipe for baked yeast doughnuts.
The dough is deliciously vanillary. I used vanilla sugar to coat the jam doughnut muffins as well as vanilla sugar and vanilla extract in the dough itself.
How to Make Vanilla Sugar
Vanilla sugar is really easy to make and such a handy ingredient to have to hand. I have a jar of vanilla sugar on the go permanently.
If ever I use a vanilla pod for anything, I make sure the used pod is dry, then pop it in a jar with golden caster sugar. The more spent pods you have in the jar, the more vanillary the sugar will be. Just top the jar up with sugar again as soon as you use some.
Silicone Muffin Moulds
Muffin holes are perfect for this jam doughnut muffin recipe, but you don’t need muffin cases. Just ensure you’ve greased the holes before you add the batter. I use silicone muffin moulds and they work like a dream. I rarely get anything stuck in them and certainly not muffins.
Jam Doughnut Muffins Taste Test
Disappointingly the jam sank and looked nothing like Karen’s lush blob of jam in the middle of hers. However, I haven’t let this put me off baking them again, only now I fill the muffin holes to half way before adding the jam. Originally I did it when they were only a third full.
They’re delicious warm and equally good cold. The butter and sugar coating gives a crusty texture to the outside which contrasts well with the soft and fluffy inside.
As I suspected. the jam in this instance, was the star of the show. Apart from sinking, it worked exceedingly well. CT, the doughnut connoisseur, feels these are a good substitute for the cheap and cheerful version he snaffles when allowed out on his own.
I wasn’t quite sure, if the jammy smile was a cheeky chappy or a ghoulish face just right for Halloween. I’ll let you decide.
Other Muffin Recipes You Might Like
- Blueberry and lemon muffins (vegan)
- Breakfast muffins
- Chia seed muffins (vegan)
- Peanut butter banana muffins (vegan)
- Triple chocolate muffins
- Wensleydale cheese chocolate muffins
Keep in Touch
Thanks for visiting Tin and Thyme. If you make these easy jam doughnut muffins, I’d love to hear about it in the comments below. And do please rate the recipe. Have you any top tips? Do share photos on social media too and use the hashtag #tinandthyme, so I can spot them.
For more delicious and nutritious recipes follow me on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest. And don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to my weekly newsletter. Or why not join the conversation in our Healthy Vegetarian Whole Food Recipes Facebook Group?
If you’d like some jam recipes, follow the link and you’ll find I have quite a lot of them. All delicious, of course.
Choclette x
Jam Doughnut Muffins. PIN IT.
Jam Doughnut Muffins – The Recipe
Jam Doughnut Muffins
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 175 ml milk
- 300 g flour (half wholemeal, half white)
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
- 150 g golden caster sugar (I used sugar infused with vanilla pods)
- 1 pinch sea salt
- 1 large egg
- 80 ml sunflower oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 16 tsp raspberry jam (I used raspberry chocolate jam)
- 25 g unsalted butter
- 25 g golden caster sugar (I used sugar infused with vanilla pods)
Instructions
- Add the cider vinegar to the milk and leave for a few minutes to turn into “buttermilk”.1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 175 ml milk
- Sift the flours into a bowl along with the baking powder and bicarbonate of soda.300 g flour, 2 tsp baking powder, ¼ tsp bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
- Stir in the sugar and salt.150 g golden caster sugar, 1 pinch sea salt
- Make a well in the centre and break in the egg.1 large egg
- Stir from the middle outwards, gradually adding the oil, vanilla extract and buttermilk until everything is just mixed. It’s important not to over stir a muffin mixture as it may make the muffins heavy.80 ml sunflower oil, 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Fill 8 silicone muffin moulds to about ½ full. Nestle the jam in the middle of each one, then top with the remaining mixture.16 tsp raspberry jam
- Bake in the middle of a preheated oven at 180℃ (160℃ fan, 350℉, Gas 4) for about 20 minutes or until the muffins are well risen, firm and golden.
- Allow to cool for a few minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack.
- Melt the butter in a little pan and put the sugar into a small shallow dish.25 g unsalted butter, 25 g golden caster sugar
- Whilst still warm, lightly brush the muffins with melted butter then roll them in the sugar to lightly coat.
Notes
Nutrition Estimate
Sharing
I am so glad I remembered to bookmark this recipe as it’s one well worth having. I’m sending it off to Bookmarked Recipes, hosted by Feeding Boys and a Firefighter.
I’m also sending this over to Supergolden Bakes for Cook Blog Share.
Katie Bryson says
Crikey these look totally amazing… I adore jam doughnuts, so to see them in muffin form is extremely tempting indeed. Thanks for hooking up with Bookmarked Recipes this month… i’ll definitely be bookmarking them myself!
Choclette Blogger says
Thanks Katie, they were totally brilliant 🙂
Lucy Parissi says
I made some duffins myself some time ago – could not bring myself to dip them into melted butter but I have to admit they taste a whole lot better when you do! These look delicious and I am very intrigued by the raspberry chocolate jam. Thanks for linking to #CookBlogShare
Choclette Blogger says
Thanks Lucy – I have now seen your duffins 🙂
I used only a small quantity of butter and sugar and got the best of both worlds.
Sarah Trivuncic says
Oh my these look irresistible! I like the bloody smile!
Choclette Blogger says
Oh I see he’s gone from snowman back to Halloween with a vengeance Sarah!
Debi Wayland says
These look so good! That snowman face is adorable too! I’ve pinned these for later!
Choclette Blogger says
Ah you see a snowman too Debi – I’m seeing him in a whole new light now.
supperinthesuburbs says
Wow these look awesome! I’ve been searching for a reliable “duffin” recipe for a while – because they are obviously SOOO much healthier than a fried muffin 😉
Choclette Blogger says
Ahhh duffins – I’d completely forgotten about that name. It was doing the round a year or so ago I think. Brilliant, thank you for the reminder Emma.
Kate Glutenfreealchemist says
I go for ‘cheeky chappie’….. looks a bit of a snowman face to me! The muffins look tasty though and who cares that the jam sunk?
Choclette Blogger says
Ah yes Kate, you’re right – snowman. Hmmm, Christmas doughnut muffins maybe? And you’re right too about the jam, it tasted just as good at the bottom as it would have done in the middle I reckon 🙂
Janine says
These look so tasty! I love the jammy smiley face.
Choclette Blogger says
Thank you Janine, glad you like Mr Cheeky 😉
Bintu @ Recipes From A Pantry says
I really love this idea. The only reason I am not running out to make them is because I would eat them all by myself .
Choclette Blogger says
Really you wouldn’t Bintu, they are far too filling, but best made for a crowd, or frozen.
Katie says
Ohh they look lovely and so tall. Love the jammy smiles when cut. Your chocolate blackberry jam sounds delicious. I always find the seeds more annoying than raspberry too
Choclette Blogger says
Thanks Katie. Glad you see a smile rather than a grimace – there have been some unkind comments in certain quarters! Glad you’re with me on the blackberry seed question 🙂
belleau kitchen says
Gawd they look just gorgeous. I saw these in Karens site and fancied a go myself. So yummy.
Choclette Blogger says
Dom, they are fabulous indeed – give em a go.
Catherine says
The muffins look simply wonderful. ~ Catherine
Choclette Blogger says
Thanks you Catherine.
Laura Denman says
These look absolutely delicious. I loved them the first time on Karen’s blog and yours look equally delicious =) I was going to make a chocolate version for last months We Should Cocoa until I got hooked on making my Tunnel of Jam Cake. You’ve made me want to try them all the more.
Choclette Blogger says
Ooh now Laura, a chocolate version sounds splendid – think that might just be next on my list!
GG says
These doughnut muffins look divine, a manageable size but still full of flavour and I have to say I’m a sucker for the sugar! I bet the jam is amazing. GG
Choclette Blogger says
Thanks GG, they are so worth making and the jam was really really good.
Madeleine Morrow says
Every time I read your lovely recipes my cholesterol level jumps a few points! I like a really good doughnut but restrict myself to maybe one a year or so. Will keep the recipe for just such an occasion.
Choclette Blogger says
You are so disciplined Madeleine – it isn’t easy I know!
Laura Huggins says
Oh wow! These look divine!!!! They actually look better than normal doughnuts!!
Laura x x x
Choclette Blogger says
Thanks Laura, I think I’m inclined to agree with you 🙂
Emma Iannarilli says
They look, and sound amazing, combining two of my favourite cakes.
#UKBloggers
Choclette Blogger says
Well they are a must for you then Emma 😉
Angie Schneider says
I wish I could have one now, Choclette. They look yummilicious!
Choclette Blogger says
Thanks Angie, but far too unhealthy for you I’m afraid 😉
Johanna GGG says
your jam experiments are really interesting – have never tried chocolate in jam but you have intrigued me – and those muffins sound delicious – makes me think that I might need to make some for e and sylvia who love cinnamon doughnuts
Choclette Blogger says
This year was a first for me on the chocolate and jam front Johanna, but it’s a really nice combination, so I will persist. The muffins can be covered in cinnamon sugar instead of vanilla, so would be perfect for E and Sylvia.
Deena Kakaya says
What are you doing to me? This is an insanely tantalising post! I had never heard of this variety of muffin so thank you for introducing me to a gorgeously inviting and easy way to indulge x
Choclette Blogger says
Thank you Deena, I do my best to tempt. These are very simple to take but I must say I don’t normally have any difficulty in finding easy ways to indulge 😉