Blueberry Protein Muffins
Protein muffins will help you start your day right! Moist, fluffy blueberry protein muffins are bursting with fresh blueberries, a bit of lime, and protein powder. and they’re loaded with great flavor. They’re perfect for a breakfast on the go or a healthier afternoon snack.
Last week, I gave you some information about Rapadura, an organic, raw sugar that I’ve started using instead of refined sugar.  Click here to read important health facts about it, as well as my opinions on why I think it’s a healthier alternative than white granulated sugar.
Today, I’m sharing a side by side comparison of RAPADURA and WHITE SUGAR, baked into healthy blueberry protein muffins.
I started with my easy recipe for raspberry chocolate chip muffins, but I switched out the fruit, left out the chocolate, and tweaked the flavor by adding some lime to this recipe.  The main components of sugar, flour, and fats are the same.  I wanted to be able to compare the taste and texture of Rapadura to refined sugar without adding low carb baking mix or egg replacements into the formula.
Results of Sweetener Side-by-Side Baking Test
To assure that my baking test was fair, I used the same baking environment for both batches of muffins. I even baked them in the same muffin pan, and at the same time.
VISIBLE DIFFERENCES – The photo below shows both batters in the pan.
- The Rapadura batter is darker in color and a tiny bit thicker than the batter made with refined sugar.
- The muffins looked quite different after baking. The muffins made with refined sugar were smoother in appearance on the outside. The Rapadura muffins were darker and the exterior texture was more pronounced.
- On the inside, the texture of both muffins was similar, and they were both moist.
AROMAÂ –Â The Rapadura batter had a light aroma of molasses.
TASTEÂ –Â I thought I’d taste more molasses in the Rapadura batter, but surprisingly, there was absolutely no difference. Both muffins were equally sweet and yummi!
NUTRITION – Both muffins contain the same amount of sugar, so they have the same caloric value. Â However, as I explained in last week’s article, there are some important minerals and nutrients in Rapadura that are processed out of refined sugar.
Therefore, my choice was to make blueberry protein muffins using [amazon_textlink asin=’B000OSSV8G’ text=’Rapadura’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’chebecskit-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’6494dcf7-8159-11e8-83b8-a1383ecfa1de’] rather than refined sugar.
Blueberry Protein Muffins Recipe Notes:
- When you bake the blueberry protein muffins, bear in mind that the recipe below yields 12 muffins made with Rapadura. If you use white refined/granulated sugar, use the same amount shown for the Rapadura called for in the recipe.  All of the other ingredients will be the same.
- Because the test was designed to compare the taste and texture difference between the two sugars, I cut back on how many blueberries I added. I used 3/4 cup of berries instead of the full cup called for in the recipe.  In other words, your muffins will be more full of fruit than you see in these photos.  More fruit is a good thing 🙂
~~~~> CLICK HERE TO SEE ALL OF MY MUFFIN RECIPES <~~~~
Tools to Help You Make the Blueberry Protein Muffins Recipe:
- 12-cup muffin pan (I adore my [amazon_textlink asin=’B001IANICS’ text=’USA Pan muffin pan’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’chebecskit-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’94658870-8157-11e8-bb0c-bf226dde8a4d’])
- cupcake/muffin liners
- [amazon_textlink asin=’B0000CDVD2′ text=’2 Tablespoon sized cookie scoop’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’chebecskit-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’fd0b3d44-8157-11e8-aa6f-f3b9b0e1d46d’] or [amazon_textlink asin=’B0001MSEPK’ text=’#30 disher scoop’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’chebecskit-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’066dbb8f-8158-11e8-8367-91b594cd4e8a’]
- [amazon_textlink asin=’B01G2B8GVK’ text=’organic Rapadura sugar’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’chebecskit-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’26ad805e-8158-11e8-b67e-d9d0dd668fad’]
Blueberry Lime Protein Muffins Recipe
Ingredients
- 5.3 ounces (1.25 cups) all-purpose flour plus 2 tablespoons for coating berries)
- 4 tablespoons plain or vanilla whey protein powder (optional see notes)
- 7.5 ounces (1 cup) Rapadura
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1.5 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 egg
- 1 egg white
- Juice of one large lime (2 tablespoons juice)
- Zest from one large lime
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ounces (1/4 liquid cup) canola oil
- 1/2 cup plain or vanilla flavored Greek yogurt (I used Stonyfield)
- 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350 F.
- Lightly spray wells of a traditional muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, Rapadura, cinnamon, salt, and baking powder until well combined. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together oil, egg, egg white,yogurt, lime juice, zest, and vanilla until well combined.
- Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and whisk until flour is almost fully incorporated into the batter. Don't over mix or your muffins will become tough and dry.
- Sprinkle 2 tablespoons flour over blueberries and toss to coat. Using a silicone spatula, gently fold berries into the batter, making sure that no dry flour remains.
- Fill each prepared well two-thirds full with batter. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Remove pan from oven and allow muffins to rest for 2 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Nutrition
Okay, this Rapadura sugar sounds amazing! I love a denser muffin and I bet the molasses flavor it adds would be really delicious in this. I have to make these! Great post, Becca!
It’s seriously delicious, Jen! I’m working on dessert recipe for the fall that should be phenomenal with that boost of molasses flavor! I hope you’re able to find some Rapadura and give it a try!
Thanks for the info about the Rapadura vs. sugar. I am always curious to know how the substitutes stack up to the real thing!
You’re very welcome, Jamie. I like to keep the food education rolling through my site 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
Ah! I love muffins! These look delicious!
Thanks so much, Heather!
another great recipe idea! you can never go wrong with blueberry muffins.. i love how guilt free these are and the lime definitely adds an interesting flavour twist. thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much, Thalia!
These don’t look anything like the slightly rubbery protein muffins I’ve made before. Pinned!
Just say NO to rubbery muffins, Katie! 🙂 I hope you try them and love ’em as much as I do! Thanks for the Pin, too!
Terrific muffins, Becca! I love the addition of protein powder, too. Perfect way to start the day!
Those are perfect for breakfast! I’ve never thought to put lime and blueberry together but I would love the combo!
It’s a great combo, Tonia… I hope you have a chance to try these muffins, because I think you’ll love them 🙂
These sound amazing! I love that you added protein powder because I need to balance my carbs with protein. I’ve been looking at protein powder, but I’m totally intimidated by the variety available. Do you have a favorite protein powder?
Thank you, Laura! Girlyfriend, I’m glad you asked about the protein powder, because there are some on the market that are nothing but sugar! I did a lot of searching and consulted with a couple of nutritionists to find the best one for people who aren’t specifically weight lifting to build muscle. Pure Protein Plus Vanilla Whey powder is what I buy. I get it at Sam’s Club in a huge canister for about $20. If you have a smoothie every day, the jug will last you about a month.
Sold! I’ll take a dozen (right now) please.
Wish I could teleport over to Texas and hand deliver them to you, Adam 🙂
Nice flavor combo Bec! So pretty too!
Pinned.
Have a marvelous week!
Thanks so much, Mel! I appreciate the Pins, and I hope you have a marvelous week, too!
Fabulous! I love blueberries, but the lime really adds something special, I’m sure! Pinning this one.
Thanks so much, Kelly!
These sound like tasty muffins! I’ve never tried rapadura since I haven’t seen it in grocery stores around here, but would love to try it.
Thank you, Genevieve! Rapadura can be found in most health food stores, or you can buy it online. I got mine through Amazon.
I LURVE that you used protein powder here! And blueberry and lime? YUM CENTRAL! Pinning! 😀
Thank you, my sweet girlyfriend! I figured if we’re going to have a little sugar, we may as well make it a teensy bit healthier. 🙂