This is my first time participating in the Improv challenge, mostly because I could not commit during the holidays. This month’s Improv challenged us to use sour cream and lemons. So I started with this Basic Sour Cream Muffin recipe because its one of our favorites and I really wanted to keep it simple. I went back and forth between adding lemon zest to the muffin batter and actually decided against it, only because I said I wanted to keep it simple. So instead I create a quick lemon glaze to drizzle over the top. I also decided to give the muffins a little more oomph with some simple lemon extract, of course you could use lemon zest instead.
Lemon Glaze Sour Cream Muffins
1 stick of unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 c. sugar
1 tsp. lemon extract
4 large eggs (or 8 egg whites + 4 tsp. oil)
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
3/4 c. sour cream
2 3/4 c. all purpose flour
Lemon Glaze
2 cups confectioners’ sugar
3 tablespoons lemon juice
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Grease the muffin cups or line with paper liners.
In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and creamy, about a minute. Next, beat in the lemon extract, eggs, salt and baking soda.
Next, fold in the sour cream and then the flour.
Scoop the batter into muffin cups. Place in oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick is inserted and comes out clean.
Allow to cool for about 5 minutes in pan.
Remove from pan and place on wire rack. In a bowl, combine the powdered sugar and the lemon juice to create the muffin glaze; drizzle over muffins. Serve warm.
Makes 24 muffins.
Mmmmm….these sound so moist and delicious!!! Yummy recipe for the challenge~
Liz recently posted..Apple Strudel Turnovers…Improv Challenge
This looks wonderfully fluffy and moist. I think this would be one of the few glazes that I can get into … a lovely tartness that’s not too sweet.
ping recently posted..Lemon, Sour Cream Fan Tans
Yum! You could easily throw in some poppy seeds and have yourself lemon poppy seed as well. What a perfect way to start your day!
Jen at The Three Little Piglets recently posted..Pink Lemonade Cupcakes
Nicole, I love lemon muffins. The glaze puts them over the top. These look perfect!
Miranda recently posted..Homemade Doughnuts So Good, You’ll Slap Your Momma
How many months will it be before one of these goes off without a hitch? Your muffins look wonderful. I think muffins are one of the best snacks around.
Kristen recently posted..Mediterranean Pizza: Sour Cream and Lemon Improv Challenge
These muffins sound amazing, Nicole!! And I love the idea of the Improv Challenge. I went right over to the site and signed up. I can’t wait to get started!!
The muffins look fantastic! It’s my first time in the challenge too
Anna recently posted..Sour Cream Scones with Lemon Glaze – Improv Challenge January
Hello fellow Improver! These muffins look wonderful. Delicious. Come on over and visit. We made a terrific soup for the challenge.
I am a big muffin fan and with this icing, it sounds like it is almost a cupcake. The icing is so pretty.
Chaya recently posted..Baked Lemon Salmon in Sour Cream Sauce – Improv
Welcome to the improv challenge.
I love participating and seeing all of the wonderful things my fellow bloggers crank out.
Rachel @ My Naturally Frugal Family recently posted..Improv Challenge Vegan Lemon Cake with Sour Cream Icing
I like to try and keep things simple also! Excellent recipe choice. I am a lover of all things muffins!
Robyn recently posted..Shortbread Lemon Bars
I never met a muffin I didn’t love, and these are fantastic looking. I love the glaze. It really makes them special! Great recipe! I stopped by from the Improv Challenge!
Teri@The Freshman Cook recently posted..Improv Challenge~Simple Lemon Pound Cake
Mmm, I bet these are heavenly moist with the sour cream! Very nice use of the challenge ingredients
Kiri W. recently posted..Sour Cream Baked Mahi Mahi With Lemon Slices On Ricotta Creamed Spinach – January Improv Challenge
Thanks for this.
Virginia Llorca recently posted..Reality Check
Glad you’re participating this month! What a delicious muffin! I made lemon muffins, too, but with poppy seeds.
Love the glaze on these muffins…they look wonderful! Stopping by from the Challenge–isn’t it fun??!?!
Oh your muffins look so light and moist! I love keeping things simple and I bet that little drizzle of lemon glaze was the icing on the….well….muffin! Beautiful! : )
Anne@FromMySweetHeart recently posted..Lemony Blue Heart Cupcakes
Great first entry into the ICC. Your muffins look wonderfully delicious.
Lisa~~ recently posted..Ponderosa Lemon & Sour Cream Tart
the consistency of the muffins is simply perfect, they look pretty good!
beti recently posted..Mini Banana Donuts
These are light as a feather. Could be my weekend baking recipe I think!
These muffins look so light and airy! yum
I love muffins and these look delicious! I can’t wait to give them a try! You did a great job!
Lorraine recently posted..Velvet Noodle Pudding with Keri Jill