Adapted from this blueberry muffins recipe, this blueberry muffin bread is soft, moist, and loaded with blueberries. Since there’s no individual muffins, this muffin batter goes from the mixing bowl to the oven in minutes. Though this quick bread is outstanding on its own, a swirl of blueberry jam and sprinkle of crumble topping create an outstanding crust.
I’m always on the lookout for quick and easy recipes that double as breakfast and snack. Banana bread, morning glory muffins, and zucchini bread are my usual defaults, but in an effort to break out of routine, blueberry muffin bread is now in the line-up.
What is Blueberry Muffin Bread?
Glad you asked. Blueberry muffin bread is exactly what it sounds like… blueberry muffins baked as bread. This is a quick bread recipe, so there’s no yeast required. Blueberry muffin bread is soft, moist, and completely overloaded with blueberries. Enjoy it warm from the oven or straight out of the refrigerator. It also freezes beautifully!
Blueberry Muffins in a Loaf Pan
Any muffin recipe yielding around 12 standard size muffins doubles as a quick bread recipe. Today we’re using my blueberry muffins, which is actually my master muffin recipe. This particular muffin batter creates 1,000s of muffin varieties including cranberry orange muffins, peach muffins, and apple cinnamon muffins. For the muffin bread, I added a little more flour to ensure this was a nice big loaf.
Now we can create plenty of quick bread recipes too! For example, swap blueberries for chocolate chips and you have an easy chocolate chip quick bread.
Blueberry Muffin Bread Ingredients
Like pound cake and biscuits, blueberry muffin bread is another example of how extremely basic ingredients easily transform into an absolutely delicious recipe.
- Butter: Butter is the base and produces a soft cakey crumb. If desired, swap with solid coconut oil.
- Sugar: Use a mix of granulated and brown sugar for flavor. A dry unrefined sugar, such as coconut sugar, works too. I don’t recommend a liquid sweetener.
- Eggs: 2 eggs work their magic providing structure and overall richness.
- Sour Cream or Yogurt: Plain low fat or full fat sour cream or yogurt add exceptional moisture, as well as the necessary acid for the baking soda.
- Vanilla & Salt: Flavor flavor flavor.
- Flour: All-purpose flour is the workhorse of quick breads like apple cinnamon bread and zucchini bread. I don’t typically bake with gluten free flours, but let me know if you try any that work.
- Leaveners: Both baking soda and baking powder add necessary lift. Remember the differences in baking powder vs baking soda and why we use both in some recipes?
- Milk: The blueberry muffin bread would be flat and heavy without milk.
2 Optional Extras!
The blueberry muffin bread is completely awesome on its own. But if you want to take things up a notch, add one or both:
- Blueberry Jam: Swirl 2 Tablespoons of blueberry jam into the batter.
- Crumble Topping: Simply combine all-purpose flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter. Sprinkle on top before baking.
The pictured bread includes both. See my recipe notes for detailed instructions.
Enjoying your slices with a swipe of homemade honey butter is fantastic here, too!
Blueberry Muffin Bread
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours
- Yield: 1 loaf
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Adapted from my favorite Blueberry Muffins, this blueberry muffin bread is soft, moist, and loaded with blueberries. Since there’s no individual muffins, this muffin batter goes from the mixing bowl to the oven in minutes. Though this quick bread is outstanding on its own, a swirl of blueberry jam and sprinkle of crumble topping create an outstanding crust.
Ingredients
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (8 Tbsp; 113g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 2/3 cup (135g) granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup (50g) packed light or dark brown sugar
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup (120g) sour cream, at room temperature
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup (80ml) milk, at room temperature
- 1 and 1/2 cups (210g) fresh blueberries*
- optional: 2 Tablespoons blueberry jam and/or crumb topping (see recipe note)
Instructions
- Adjust the oven rack to the lower third position and preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or coat with nonstick spray. Set aside.
- Whisk the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together in a large bowl.
- Using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle or whisk attachment, beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together on high speed until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. On medium speed, add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the sour cream and vanilla extract on medium speed until combined. With the mixer running on low speed, add the dry ingredients and milk into the wet ingredients and beat until no flour pockets remain. Fold in the blueberries.
- Spoon the batter into the prepared baking pan. See note if adding streusel or blueberry jam swirl. Bake for 60-65 minutes, loosely covering the bread with aluminum foil at the 30 minute mark to help prevent the top and sides from getting too brown. A toothpick inserted in the center of the loaf will come out clean when the bread is done. Remove from the oven and allow the bread to cool completely in the pan set on a wire rack.
- Cover and store bread at room temperature for 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Notes
- Freezing Instructions: Cool baked muffin bread completely. Tightly wrap the loaf or slices (individually or grouped) in 2 layers of plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Place wrapped bread in a large freezer-friendly storage bag or reusable container. Freeze for up to 3-4 months. Thaw wrapped or unwrapped in the refrigerator or at room temperature.
- Special Tools (affiliate links): Electric Mixer (Handheld or Stand) | 9×5-inch Loaf Pan | Cooling Rack
- Sour Cream: Plain yogurt is a great substitute for sour cream. Unsweetened applesauce or mashed banana may also be used.
- Blueberries: Fresh blueberries are best. I do not suggest frozen blueberries. If you need to use them, do not thaw, add another 2 Tablespoons of flour to the dry ingredients, and extend the bake time.
- Why is everything at room temperature? All refrigerated items should be at room temperature so the batter mixes together easily and evenly. See my post on the importance of room temperature ingredients for more information.
- Blueberry Jam or Crumble Topping: If desired, swirl 2 Tablespoons blueberry jam (or any flavor) into the top of the loaf before baking. A crumble topping adds a lovely crunch. Simply combine 1/4 cup (31g) all-purpose flour, 2 Tablespoons brown sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, then using a fork, mix in 2 Tablespoons melted unsalted butter until crumbles form. Sprinkle over loaf before baking.
- Adapted from Blueberry Muffins with a *little* extra flour and milk to produce a nice large loaf.
Reader Comments and Reviews
I had an abundance of blueberries so I went to your website for another great recipe! This blueberry loaf was delicious! Not too sweet and great with a cup of coffee. My husband loved it! I followed the recipe exactly with the crumb topping and 60 minutes baking time…PERFECT!
Hands down everyone’s favorite breakfast treat around my house. Can’t count how many times I’ve made this. Love it with or without the crumble.
This looked so good and got so many stars that I was sure I would love it. Unfortunately, I did not. The flavor is flat and needs more salt. I questioned the large amount of baking soda, and sure enough the loaf has that aroma and color of a quick bread that has too much soda which also causes the quick browning. I set my timer for 50 minutes even though it said to total baking time was 60-65 minutes. Good thing I did because it was more than done at 50 minutes. Sorry won’t be making this one again nor recommending it.
I did not read all 300-something comments, but I did notice a few people stated they had problems with the recipe. I followed it precisely, and the loaf came out perfect.
Just made this bread using frozen blueberries. I baked for 30mins, then put foil on loosely and baked 30 more minutes. Checked it and not nearly done, very jiggly . I returned it to oven uncovered for 20 more minutes. Almost done but not quite so back to the oven for 10 more minutes covered loosely with foil.
It’s cooling now but smells delicious. I did add 2tsps cinnamon, 1/2 tsp nutmeg and 1/4 tsp of cloves. I can’t wait to try it. Thanks for sharing this recipe!
I made this in the air fryer at 350 because my oven isn’t working. It gets dark on top fast, so you have to cover it so it won’t get tough. Also, halfway through, I get another pan and flip it over so that the bottom is the top and it cooks all the way through. Added a little lemon zest for extra flavor. Delicious!!
I made this yesterday just want to say it was delicious and so moist. Thank you for sharing the receipe. we loved it.
Can I make this in a bundt pan?
Hi Judy, we haven’t tested this recipe in a Bundt pan, but that should work fine. It will be a shorter Bundt. We’re unsure of the exact bake time, so keep a close eye on it and use a toothpick to test for doneness.
This turned out fantastic! Moist, soft, delicious flavor… I have stopped google recipes when I want to bake something, I just come to the site after having favorites and trying new ones that don’t disappoint!
I can’t stop making this. Lol. I lost track how many times I’ve used this recipe. It’s hand’s down the best. Super easy too
Loved this recipe! I went a little heavy on the blueberries. Would some lemon work well with this? Like maybe some zest?
Hi Ruth, absolutely! We recommend adding the zest from 1 lemon and 2 Tablespoons lemon juice. Make sure you remove 2 Tablespoons of milk to make up for the lemon juice. Glad you enjoyed this one!
I just made with the streusal topping and sent it up the hill to our son, his wife and 3 grands .. they LOVED it, esspecially the 2-yr-old, his face all covered with those luscious bursts of blue after his first few bites!!! Did not tweek a thing, and turned out absolutely perfect !!! I enjoy your recipes as they are easy to put together and make wonderful spur-of-the-moment edible love to drop off to family and friends (and enjoy here–I always double!!!)
Thank you for the hard work you put into testing, tweeking then passing along to us !!
Hi Ann, thank you so much for trying this recipe. We’re so glad your family loved it!
I went back over two times, thinking everything through and I’m stumped. I used all ingredients, spooned and leveled, the correct measuring spoons for all, liquid measuring for milk, etc. I don’t know why, maybe you can answer, but my loaf was risen so much it bubbled up and was oozing from pan before the first 20 minutes was up. What could I have done wrong? I’m no pro, but I’d say I’m pretty good at baking these days. I could only find answers for this happening with yeast breads, and I know why that happens.
I will try again!! I’m sure it’s something I did, but my mom brain doesn’t know what. Haha. The smell of burnt blueberry bread in the oven was honestly kind of good. Lol.
Love all of your recipes so far! Thanks!
I had the same issue tonight! I followed the recipe exactly how it was laid out. My overflowed and burnt the bottom of my oven. I was so upset 🙁 I don’t know what went wrong but I’m glad I’m not alone!
I have only had this happen for quick bread recipes WHEN I sed a slightly smaller loaf pan. Check that your loaf pan is ACTUALLY a 9X5X3 in pan. It should be engraved on the pan somewhere. If not labled think about getting another pan. Check out step #1 Sally directions. Tap on highlighted loaf pan. It will take you to amazon pan Be sure you are choosing 9X5X3 size. Sally gets some kind of credit….BUT it dies NOT cost you extra. If you do not have Amazon prime then shipping may cost you. So look for a 9X5X3 pan somewhere.
Sally , what is the difference between blueberry muffin bread and blueberry loaf cake
Perhaps not much, but it depends on the blueberry loaf cake. This is more of a quick bread and I imagine a loaf cake is lighter like a cake.
Hey Sally, would buttermilk work in this recipe, or is it too heavy?
If using buttermilk, use it to replace the sour cream AND the milk. (1 cup total.) Enjoy!
This recipe is really tasty, thank you.
I would like to try using strawberries next time instead of blueberries. Please could you let me know whether you think this will work?
Thank you.
Hi Charlotte, we’re so glad you loved this recipe. Fresh strawberries work great! Chop them to be roughly the same size of blueberries. No other changes!
I made this yesterday and it came out great. I decided to bake it in 4 Chicago Metallic 3×5.5 inch tins. It took about 35min in my oven or about 195f internal temperature. I used raspberry jam on top and doubled the amount of Crumble Topping since I made 4 mini loaves. Definitely making this again! Thanks!
This bread was good! But all the blueberries settled in the bottom of the bread. Do you know why that happens and what I can do to stop it? Thank you!
Hi Kelli! Thanks so much for trying our blueberry muffin bread recipe. Was your batter super thick? The thicker the batter, the less likely the berries will sink. This batter should be relatively thick. You can try coating them in flour if you decide to try the recipe again.
Can I use Heavy cream instead of milk? Trying to avoid trip back to store. But will gladly do it if
it doesn’t work with heavy cream.
Hi Mary, heavy cream would be too heavy for this bread. For best results, we recommend sticking with milk!
I have been making this recipe regularly for 2 years now. It’s just the right sweetness level for me.
I often switch out the blueberries for an alternative. My favorite has been 80g of dried pears (chopped) with 80g chopped walnuts.
Thank you!
Where is the milk in the recipe, I don’t see it in the instructions
Hi Lisa, see end of step 3 — “With the mixer running on low speed, add the dry ingredients and milk into the wet ingredients and beat until no flour pockets remain.” Enjoy!
Hi Sally,
I love the recipe very much. I was originally going to make the muffins but now my heart is stuck on this loaf. However, i have one question. Can i use the same walnut streusel for this loaf as well?
Yes, absolutely!
Yum! I used frozen blueberries because it’s what I had, and it still turned out delicious! I also substituted 1/2 & 1/2 for the milk. Super moist! Will make again 🙂
Hi Sally – thanks so much for this recipe. I wanted to make the loaves in two ounce mini pans; do you recommend any variations to the recipe, baking time. Etc. thanks
Hi RDG, we’re unsure of the exact bake time, as mini bread pan sizes can greatly vary. It will be shorter, but keep a close eye on them and use a toothpick to test for doneness. Hope they’re a hit!
How would you adapt the baking process of using a bread machine?
Hi Andrea, I don’t recommend a bread machine for this quick bread recipe.
Hello Sally!
I tried this recipe yesterday and came out really well. The amount of sugar was exactly what I go for whenever I’m baking. This bread came out not too sweet, just the right salt and tasted so good when warm 🙂 Thank you so much for your recipes!
This recipe is amazing. I like to bake so that my daughter can have some breakfast when she wakes up super early. I tried this one and have literally made it countless times, with variations like raspberries or cranberries cooked with a little sugar. I can’t recommend it enough; if you are thinking of making it, do! It definitely lasts well, too—we eat it not just the next day but the following. If there is any. The topping is wonderful but if you’re in a hurry it’s perfect without as well. Really one of my favorites.
Sally, I love your recipes and have made so many of them! I have Celiac, so I always sub GF flour for the regular, and I still have great results every time. Thanks so much for all the great recipes!
Incredible!! I’ve tried many of your recipes (most recently lemon bars) and I’m never disappointed. This muffin bread is absolutely perfect!!
Thank you for making and trusting our recipes, Momi. We’re thrilled you loved this muffin bread!
Would Greek yogurt be okay to substitute for sour cream?
Hi Maggie, Absolutely!
What type of milk is suggested? Whole milk ?
Hi Christine, Any milk, dairy or nondairy, works!
This recipe is awesome. Very moist. Does it have to be refrigerated since it has sour cream?
I am looking forward to trying this! We love your blueberry muffins. I just wanted to thank you for adding so much joy to our lives. That sounds dramatic but it is genuinely true. I have learned so much from you and my cooking skills have skyrocketed due to your detailed instructions and foolproof, top notch recipes. And your gorgeous food photography is the icing on the proverbial cake! Thank you for everything!!
Michelle, this was so nice to read! Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. I can’t wait to hear how you like this quick bread!