Muffins with Ricotta and Cherries

To prepare the most delicious ricotta and cherry muffins, we start by gathering all the necessary ingredients so that we have everything at hand. Make sure you have fresh eggs, granulated sugar, quality ricotta cheese, sunflower or olive oil, juicy lemons, salt, baking powder, and of course, flour. It is important to have the cherries, which can be fresh or from a jar, but we recommend using fresh cherries for a more intense flavor.

In a large bowl, we start beating the eggs with the sugar using an electric mixer. We mix at medium speed until the mixture becomes frothy and doubles in volume. It is essential that this step is done correctly, as the incorporated air will make the muffins fluffier. Then, we add the ricotta cheese, gently mixing to perfectly integrate it into the mixture.

After obtaining a homogeneous mass, we add the oil, grated lemon zest, and lemon juice. These ingredients not only bring a wonderful aroma but also a note of freshness. Add a pinch of salt and the baking powder, mixing again. The baking powder is crucial as it will help the muffins rise beautifully in the oven. Finally, we incorporate the flour, gently mixing with a spatula or wooden spoon until we no longer see streaks of flour. Be careful not to overmix, as the risk is to obtain a dense dough.

We prepare a muffin tray, lining each cavity with paper liners. We fill the liners with the obtained batter, leaving a small space at the top, as the muffins will rise during baking. Then, we add 2-3 cherries to each liner, depending on your preferences. The sour cherries will provide a perfect contrast to the sweetness of the batter.

We preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius and let the tray bake the muffins for 20-25 minutes or until they turn golden and pass the toothpick test. Once they are ready, we take the tray out of the oven and let the muffins cool slightly before removing them onto a rack. These delights can be served cold, and their taste will be truly savory. You can enjoy them with a cup of tea or coffee, turning them into a perfect little treat for breakfast or a snack.