Starbucks Blueberry Muffins (Best Copycat Recipe)

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One bite of this copycat Starbucks Blueberry Muffin and you’ll swear it came straight from that green-aproned coffee shop. But warmer. Fresher. Juicier. Each bite is buttery and fluffy with bright pops of blueberry and that crunchy, sparkly sugar lid that makes you feel like you did something right today. Soft, tender, sky-high Starbucks muffins without ever leaving home… what more could you want??

titled image: Starbucks Blueberry Muffins Best Copycat Recipe


 

WHY YOU’LL LOVE HOMEMADE STARBUCKS MUFFINS

  • Bakery-style domes without bakery prices
  • Fresh blueberry flavor in every single bite
  • Crunchy sugar tops that make you feel fancy
  • Easy batter, no mixers, no fuss

Starbucks Blueberry Muffin

Okay friend… these muffins??? They are dangerous. Like “I’ll just have one,” and suddenly three are gone. Poof. Vanished.

And listen… my 15-year-old? Starbucks blueberry muffin superfan. It’s her go-to. Non-negotiable.

So when she took a bite of these and said, “Mom… these taste exactly like Starbucks…” Well, I about fell off my kitchen stool.

And bonus! We’ve got a dozen Starbucks copycat recipes on the site, so clearly we have a theme happening.

These muffins rise tall, get all golden and dramatic, and that turbinado crunch on top?? Whew. It’s giving main character energy. Pull one apart while it’s still warm and try not to swoon. Go on. I dare you.

And in case you’re wondering what to do with all that turbinado sugar left over… You’ll never guess that it’s the secret ingredient to my smoked chicken quarters as well!

measured ingredients to make blueberry muffins like Starbucks

INGREDIENT NOTES

  • Unsalted Butter: Melted butter gives these muffins that rich, almost cake-like crumb. Salted butter works too, just reduce the added salt slightly.
  • Whole Milk: Keeps the batter lush and creamy. Lower-fat milk will work, but the muffins won’t be quite as tender.
  • Baking Powder & Baking Soda: Yes, both! That’s how you’ll get perfect fluffy Starbucks muffins with gorgeous domed tops.
  • Vanilla Extract: Use real vanilla if you can. This recipe really lets that flavor shine!
  • Lemon Zest: Not enough to taste “lemony,” just enough to wake up the blueberries.
  • Blueberries: Fresh works best in this Starbucks blueberry muffin recipe. They’re less likely to sink or bleed color into the batter, plus they keep their plump, round shape. If using frozen, do NOT thaw. Fold them in straight from the freezer.
  • Sugar Topping: This is not the time for regular granulated sugar! Demerara and turbinado sugar come in larger crystals for a more satisfying crunch… just like the blueberry muffin at Starbucks. 
mixing batter in a bowl for homemade starbucks muffins

VARIATIONS

Lemon Blueberry: Add an extra teaspoon of zest and a tiny squeeze of lemon juice.

Almond Vibes: Swap ½ teaspoon of the vanilla for almond extract. Heavenly.

Triple Berry: Use a mix of blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries.

Cinnamon Swirl: Mix sugar with a little cinnamon before sprinkling on top.

Streusel Topping: Replace the turbinado with a simple crumb topping if you love that bakery crumble.

Chocolate Chip Blueberry: Add ½ cup mini chocolate chips for a sweeter twist.

stirring fresh blueberries into starbucks muffin batter

SERVING SUGGESTIONS

starbucks blueberry muffin batter in a large bowl

STARBUCKS BLUEBERRY MUFFIN FAQ

Can I use frozen blueberries?

Yes! Just add them frozen so they don’t bleed color into the batter. Tossing them with the tiniest bit of flour also helps with bleeding and prevents them from sinking to the bottom.

Why did my muffins not rise tall?

Usually, a flat Starbucks blueberry muffin is due to overmixing or skipping the 10-minute batter rest. That rest is magic!

Can I reduce the amount of sugar?

A little, yes, but the texture and browning will change. These muffins aren’t overly sweet. If you have to make cuts, do so from the topping.

What’s the best way to reheat a Starbucks muffin?

Keep that crispy outer texture by reheating muffins in the oven or air fryer. Preheat to 325°F and warm for just a few minutes.

muffin pan with cupcake liners filled with blueberry batter topped with sugar crystals

You know I’ve tested a lot of blueberry muffins over the years. Like… a concerning number. And the trick that won’t quit is that blast of high heat right at the start.

It shocks the batter into rising tall instead of spreading wide. Hello, muffin-top perfection!

Another little secret? That thick batter. Don’t baby it. Thick batter holds the berries in place and gives you those gorgeous pockets of fruit instead of “blueberry sinkhole sadness.”

Trust the process when making this Starbucks blueberry muffin recipe… you’ll taste why.

tray of freshly baked blueberry muffins like Starbucks, with one partially eaten

DONNA’S PRO TIPS

  • Rest the batter after filling the pan, not before. It’s the secret to tall tops.
  • Don’t over-fold the blueberries. Two or three gentle turns and walk away.
  • Let the melted butter cool a bit so it doesn’t scramble the eggs.
  • Fill the cups almost to the top. This recipe is made for big, tall muffins.
  • Check doneness early. Every oven runs a little differently.
  • Use the toothpick test. Once it comes out clean, they’re done!

TOOLS NEEDED

  • 12-Cup Muffin Pan: Standard size for perfect bakery muffins.
  • Large Mixing Bowl: You’ll want room to fold in those berries gently.
  • Whisk: All the mixing happens by hand.
  • Cookie Scoop or Large Spoon: Helps fill the muffin cups evenly.
  • Cooling Rack: Crucial for keeping the bottoms from steaming and getting soggy.
wooden tray of freshly baked starbucks blueberry muffins

Enjoy!

With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.

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close up: starbucks blueberry muffin topped with sugar with the wrapper peeled off

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TL;DR (Too Long, Didn’t Read) THE QUICK VERSION

  • Thick batter = tall muffins.
  • High heat first, then lower temp.
  • Rest the filled muffin pan for big domes.
  • Fresh or frozen blueberries both work.
  • Don’t overmix—stop when the flour disappears.
  • Turbinado sugar = crunchy bakery top.
  • Best fresh, but freezes beautifully.
Starbuck's blueberry muffin copycat on a plate

Starbucks Blueberry Muffins (Best Copycat Recipe)

Author: Donna Elick
Enjoy a fresh Starbucks Blueberry Muffin from home with this easy recipe. You’ll get a dozen for about the price of just one from the cafe!
5 stars from 3 reviews
Tried this recipe?Please comment and review!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Method Oven
Servings 12 muffins

Ingredients
 

  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 3/4 cup whole milk
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 8 ounces fresh blueberries, about 1 ½ cups
  • Turbinado sugar or Demerara sugar for sprinkling

Instructions
 

  • PREHEAT OVEN AND PREP PAN: Preheat the oven to 425°F. Spray a 12 cup muffin pan with nonstick spray.
  • MIX WET INGREDIENTS: In a large mixing bowl, whisk 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly and 1 cup granulated sugar until combined. Whisk in 2 large eggs until smooth. Add 3/4 cup whole milk, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, and 1 teaspoon lemon zest. Whisk until the mixture is creamy.
  • ADD DRY INGREDIENTS: Sprinkle 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour, 1 tablespoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt evenly over the batter. Gently fold until the dry ingredients disappear. Do not overmix. The batter will be thick.
  • FOLD IN BLUEBERRIES: Add 8 ounces fresh blueberries and gently fold just until evenly distributed.
  • FILL MUFFIN PAN: Scoop the batter into the muffin cups, filling each almost to the top. Sprinkle Turbinado sugar over each muffin for a crunchy topping.
  • REST BATTER: Let the filled muffin pan sit at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes. This helps create tall, bakery style domes.
  • BAKE: at 425°F for 5 minutes. Without opening the oven, reduce the temperature to 350°F. Continue baking 12 to 16 minutes, until the muffins are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  • COOL: Let the muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Donna’s Notes

Make Ahead: These muffins taste best the day they are baked but stay soft for 3 days stored in an airtight container at room temperature.
Storage: Keep tightly sealed. The sugar topping softens over time but the muffins stay tender.
Freezing: Freeze cooled muffins in a zip top bag for up to 3 months. Thaw on the counter or warm in a 300°F oven for 5 to 7 minutes.
Ingredient Tip: If your blueberries are very juicy, toss them with 1 teaspoon all purpose flour before adding to the batter to prevent sinking.
Pro Tip: The initial high heat gives these muffins a big rise and that classic bakery muffin look.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 261cal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 53mg | Sodium: 314mg | Sugar: 19g | Fiber: 1g | Calcium: 90mg | Iron: 2mg

All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Starbucks Blueberry Muffins Best Copycat Recipe -PIN

Originally published January 2024, updated and republished December 2025

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Recipe Rating




5 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Donna’s recipe for Starbucks Blueberry Muffins is a total winner! I added a touch of cinnamon for some extra flavor, and they turned out amazing.

  2. 5 stars
    THIS IS THE ONE! You got it right. Delicious and exactly like Starbucks. Big hit in my family. Everyone loves it!! Thanks for sharing the recipe!