Jordan Marsh was a department store chain in New England that was famous for its bakery, especially its blueberry muffins. These muffins were large, moist, and bursting with blueberries, with a crunchy sugar topping that added a nice contrast. There are many recipes online, and many people have tried to recreate these muffins at home, but we have the real recipe right here. There are some secrets to making them just like the original.
We will share the recipe and tips from John Pupek, the baker who made the Jordan Marsh blueberry muffins for 30 years. He revealed his secrets in an interview with a local Boston news reporter, Maria Stephanos, back in 2016. By following his advice, you can make these legendary muffins in your own kitchen.
We gave it a try ourselves, and they came out wicked good.
Ingredients
To make 12 Jordan Marsh blueberry muffins, you will need:
1/2 cup (113 grams) of butter, softened.
1/4 cup (50 grams) of shortening.
1 1/4 cups (250 grams) of granulated sugar, plus more for sprinkling
2 large eggs
2 cups (240 grams) of all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons of baking powder
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1/2 cup (120 milliliters) of milk
1 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups (375 grams) of fresh or frozen blueberries
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
In a large bowl, cream together the butter, shortening, and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In a small bowl, stir together the milk and vanilla extract.
Gradually add the flour mixture and the milk mixture to the butter mixture, alternating between the two and mixing until just combined. Do not overmix the batter.
In a small bowl, mash 1/2 cup of the blueberries with a fork. This will help give the muffins their distinctive color and flavor. Fold the mashed and whole blueberries into the batter gently with a spatula.
Using a large ice cream scoop or a spoon, fill the muffin cups with the batter, mounding them high. Sprinkle some sugar on top of each muffin for extra crunch.
Bake the muffins for 25 to 30 minutes, or until golden and puffy. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
Let the muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy them as they are, or with some butter or jam.
Tips and Tricks
John Pupek used a blend of bread and pastry flour to make the muffins, which gave them a tender and cake-like texture. You can try using a 50/50 mix of bread and pastry flour or use all-purpose flour as a substitute.
He also used fortified eggs, which have more omega-3 fatty acids than regular eggs. You can use any brand of eggs you like, but make sure they are at room temperature before adding them to the batter.
If you are using frozen blueberries, do not thaw them before adding them to the batter. This will prevent them from bleeding too much and turning the batter purple. You can also coat the blueberries with some of the flour mixture before folding them in, which will help them stay suspended in the batter and not sink to the bottom.
Do not overfill the muffin cups, as the batter will rise and overflow during baking. Leave about 1/4 inch of space at the top of each cup.
Do not open the oven door while the muffins are baking, as this will cause them to deflate and lose their shape. If you need to check for doneness, do it quickly and gently.
Store the muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze them for up to 3 months. To reheat them, microwave them for 15 to 20 seconds, or bake them in a 350°F (177°C) oven for 10 minutes.
Jordan Marsh blueberry muffins are a classic treat that many people remember fondly from their childhood. By following this recipe and the tips from the original baker, you can recreate these muffins at home and enjoy them anytime. They are perfect for breakfast, or a snack, and they will make your house smell amazing. Try them today and see why they are so legendary.