These Blueberry Lemon Muffins with Cream Cheese Swirl are a little sweet, a little tangy and perfect for breakfast or snack! Easy to make ahead and freezer friendly. Includes step by step recipe video.
That lemon/blueberry combo? I just can’t resist.
When I had the opportunity to do some experimenting with Arla Organic Cream Cheese, I thought maybe I’d mix things up. Maybe do a banana muffin with cream cheese filling (<– that one might just have to happen yet!), or something even more adventurous.
But when I asked my Facebook group, the vote was overwhelmingly LEMON. I can’t just ignore that, can I? I tested this recipe a couple times without berries, but I just love how the berries are so juicy and add an extra burst of (natural!) sweetness and colour. And so even though this recipe is a lot like my Cream Cheese Filled Blueberry Lemon Bread that you love, I made some important changes and added in some better-for-you ingredients.
I swapped out more than half of the flour with whole wheat, reduced the sugar, and I used Arla Organic Cream Cheese, made with wholesome, natural ingredients, so that we’re okay calling them breakfast even though they taste indulgent.
There are so many good things in here — lemon, blueberries, whole grains, and the Greek yogurt and cream cheese add a richness that makes them extra special. I know my kids and I devoured them!
With our oldest girl in kindergarten now, I’m always on the hunt for delicious and nutritious things to fill her lunch box with, as well as things that will keep her full and energized throughout the day (because being in school for a full day is a big adjustment for her!).
It can be so easy to grab a box of granola bars or cookies when you’re grocery shopping but these muffins are super simple to make (no mixer — just a whisk!) and they can be frozen for a few months so you have an easy grab-and-go option for breakfast or lunches. I know I’m not the only one who has days where “grab-and-go” is all you can handle!
Tips and Tricks for Making these Blueberry Lemon Muffins with Cream Cheese Swirl:
- Always zest your lemons before juicing!
- To get the most juice out of your lemons, roll firmly on the counter before juicing — you’ll get a lot more this way!
- Feel free to mix up the citrus flavour (try orange or lime!) and the berries (raspberries, maybe?), to make your own unique combination that your family will love. Stay away from frozen strawberries as they are usually too large to incorporate whole or sliced. Fresh, chopped strawberries will work just fine!
*This post is generously sponsored by Arla Canada — thank you for supporting the brands that help me bring you the recipes you love!
Pssst. Arla Canada is giving away a HUGE prize pack to one lucky Canadian!
It includes:
- $25 in Arla cheese vouchers
- $200 Spa voucher
- Swell Water Bottle
- Essential Oil Kit
- Diffuser
- Yoga Mat
- Bento Lunch Container
- Reading socks
PLUS, each week they’re going to give away $50 in Arla cheese vouchers!
Click here to enter the contest.
Watch the recipe video and see how easy they are to make!
Blueberry Lemon Muffins with Cream Cheese Swirl + VIDEO
15 minutesPrep Time
20 minutesInactive Time:Cook Time
0:15Total Time
These Blueberry Lemon Muffins with Cream Cheese Swirl are a little sweet, a little tangy and perfect for breakfast or snack! Easy to make ahead and freezer friendly. Includes step by step recipe video.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup canola or other oil
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt (I use 0%)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup lemon juice (1-2 lemons)
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 3/4 cup all purpose flour
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- zest of 2 lemons
- 1 cup blueberries (if frozen, toss with 1 tsp flour)
Swirl
- 1 (200g) package Arla Organic Cream Cheese
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg white
- 1 tablespoon all purpose flour
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line 18 muffin cups with liners (or use silicone muffin cups).
In a large mixing bowl, combine oil, sugar, eggs, yogurt, vanilla and lemon juice with a whisk until combined.
Add flours, baking powder, salt and lemon zest and stir just until combined. Fold in blueberries.
In a medium bowl, whisk together cream cheese, 1/3 cup sugar, egg white, and 1 tablespoon flour until smooth.
Place one heaping tablespoon of muffin batter into the bottom of each cup. Divide cream cheese mixture evenly between muffin cups. Top with remaining muffin batter, dividing evenly between the muffin cups (it’s fine if it doesn’t cover the cream cheese completely!).
Bake for 18-22 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the centre of the muffins comes out clean or with moist crumbs. Let sit for 5-10 minutes before removing to cool completely on a wire rack.
Store in the refrigerator up to 1 week or in the freezer up to 3 months.
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Serving Size | |
| Amount Per Serving | As Served |
| Calories 205kcal Calories from fat 100 | |
| % Daily Value | |
| Total Fat 11g | 17% |
| Saturated Fat 3g | 15% |
| Transfat 0g | |
| Cholesterol 34mg | 11% |
| Sodium 177mg | 7% |
| Carbohydrate 24g | 8% |
| Dietary Fiber 1g | 4% |
| Sugars 14g | |
| Protein 4g | |
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs:
| Calories | 2000 | |
|---|---|---|
| Total Fat | Less than | 65g |
| Sat Fat | Less than | 25g |
| Cholesterol | Less than | 300mg |
| Sodium | Less than | 2,400mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 300g | |
| Dietary Fiber | 25g | |
