Blueberry Muffins with Butter Olive Oil & Cranberry Pear Balsamic

Growing up, blueberry muffins were a weekend staple. I’d stand on a chair next to my grandmother, sneaking berries from the bowl while she stirred the batter. Those muffins were always buttery and tender, but as I started The Little Shop, I began playing with new ingredients to make them even better—and maybe a bit healthier. That’s how these muffins came to be.

I swap out the usual melted butter for our Butter Premium Olive Oil. It’s creamy and decadent, yet vegan and heart‑healthy. The richness comes from organic botanical infusions, so it works beautifully in baking; I use it anywhere I’d use butter, from popcorn to mashed potatoes. In muffins, it keeps the crumb moist and tender without any dairy.

For a little twist, I add a splash of our Cranberry Pear White Balsamic Vinegar to the batter. This white balsamic is clean, crisp and tart with a lovely rose blush and an amazingly fruity, complex taste that shines in a multitude of dishes. It’s usually paired with citrusy olive oils or used to dress fruit salads or even mixed drinks, but it adds a gentle sweetness and tang to these muffins, highlighting the blueberries. The result is a muffin that tastes like summer berries and has a subtle complexity you don’t quite expect.

These come together quickly: whisk dry ingredients in one bowl, whisk wet ingredients—including Butter Olive Oil and Cranberry Pear Balsamic—in another, then fold in the blueberries. The balsamic gives the batter a faint pink hue and a light tang that plays nicely with the fruit. Serve warm with a smear of lemon curd or just a dusting of powdered sugar. They’re perfect for breakfast, brunch or an afternoon snack.

If you like playing with flavors, try swapping the Cranberry Pear Balsamic for our Pomegranate or Fig Balsamic. Or fold in raspberries and chopped nuts for a twist. However you make them, don’t be surprised if they disappear before they’re cool. You can find both the Butter Olive Oil and Cranberry Pear White Balsamic in our shop or online. Happy baking!

Thanks for reading,
Tracey