Raisin Muffins (Soft and Buttery)

These raisin muffins are soft, buttery, studded with plump, juicy golden raisins, and feature golden-brown tops that are slightly crisp.

These home-baked raisin muffins are a family recipe that's been a favorite for years. Perfectly sweet and great with tea or coffee, these muffins are a comforting treat that's guaranteed to brighten up your day.

If you love these muffins, you should also try my other delicious muffin recipes. My buttermilk muffins are a tangy treat, while my banana crumb muffins are a hit with the kids. And for a chocolatey twist, you can't go wrong with my chocolate zucchini muffins.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Family Recipe: This raisin muffin recipe has been in my family for generations.
• Classic Flavors: These muffins have the classic, comforting flavor of sweet, plump raisins and buttery, soft muffins.
• Easy to Make: This recipe is incredibly easy to make. With just a few simple steps, you'll have a batch of delicious muffins ready in no time.
• Comfort Food: There's nothing quite like warm, freshly baked muffins to comfort you on a cold day.

Key Ingredients

All you need are some simple pantry staple ingredients to make this raisin muffin recipe at home. Let's look at them in more detail:

For a full list of ingredients and quantities, please check the recipe card at the end of this post.

• Golden Raisins: These will be the star of our raisin muffins, adding a sweet, plump, and slightly chewy texture that contrasts beautifully with the soft, buttery muffin.
• Eggs: The eggs will help bind the ingredients together and add structure to our muffins.
• Sugar: This will sweeten our muffins, making them a perfect treat for breakfast or dessert.
• Buttermilk or Kefir: This will make our muffins incredibly moist and tender, and the slight tanginess will help balance out the sweetness.
• Baking Soda: This will help our muffins rise and give them a light, fluffy texture.
• Unsalted Butter: Used to add a rich, buttery flavor to our muffins. Make sure it's melted for easy incorporation into the batter.
• Vanilla Extract: This will enhance the flavor of our muffins, giving them a warm, inviting aroma.
• Sea Salt: A touch of salt will help to bring out the sweetness of the other ingredients.
• All-Purpose Flour: This is the base of our muffins, providing structure and a soft, tender crumb.

How to Make Raisin Muffins

Making these incredible raisin muffins is easier than you think. Here's how to make them at home step by step:

How to Make Raisin Muffin Batter

Preheat Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 425 F.

Soak Raisins: Place raisins into a small bowl and fill it with hot water. Make sure that it covers the raisins by at least half an inch. Let the raisins soak for 10 minutes.

Drain and Set Aside: After 10 minutes, drain the raisins, rinse them with water, and set them aside until you're ready to use them.

Make the Muffin Batter: The next step is to prepare the muffin batter. In a large bowl, beat the eggs and sugar together for 5 minutes at high speed.

Add Buttermilk: Once done, reduce the mixing speed to low and add the buttermilk and the activated baking soda with vinegar.

Mix on Low: Mix the ingredients on low speed for about a minute, then add the remaining ingredients: melted butter, vanilla, and salt.

Gradually Add Flour: Gradually add the flour to the mixture, one cup at a time. Once all the flour is incorporated, mix in the raisins. Be careful not to overmix the batter.

How to Bake Raisin Muffins

Add Batter to Molds: Now it's time to bake the muffins. Grease metal muffin molds with melted butter and fill each mold about ¾ full with the muffin batter. 

Bake Muffins: Place the molds in the preheated oven and bake at 425 F for around 20 minutes or until the muffins are a light golden color.

Cool the Muffins: Once the muffins are ready, remove them from the oven and let them cool in the molds for 5 minutes. After this, you can remove the muffins from the molds and allow them to cool until they are warm to the touch.

Drench the Muffins with Powdered Sugar: This step adds a touch of sweetness to our raisin muffins. Fill a gallon-size ziploc bag with the warm muffins, about ¾ full. Add 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar to the bag, then close it and shake the bag until all the muffins are coated with the sugar.

Cool and Store the Muffins: Place the sugar-coated muffins on a cooling rack and allow them to cool completely. Once cooled, store the muffins in a container with the lid slightly open. 

 For a full list of ingredients and instructions, see the recipe card below.

Tips for Making the Best Raisin Muffins

• Choose the Right Raisins: For this raisin muffin recipe, I recommend using golden raisins. They have a sweet and milder flavor compared to other types of raisins, which complements the muffins perfectly.
• Soak the Raisins: Before adding them to the batter, soak the golden raisins in hot water for 10 minutes. This will plump them up and make them juicier, which adds a burst of sweetness to every bite.
• Beat the Eggs and Sugar Well: Beat the eggs and sugar for 5 minutes on high mixing speed. This step is crucial as it adds air to the batter, resulting in a lighter and fluffier texture for your muffins.
• Don't Overmix the Batter: Once you've added the raisins, do not overmix the batter. Overmix can lead to tough muffins. Just mix until the raisins are evenly distributed.
• Coat with Powdered Sugar: After the muffins have cooled, drench them with powdered sugar. This adds a sweet finish and also helps to keep the muffins moist. If you plan to freeze the muffins, do not coat them with powdered sugar.

Serving Suggestions 

• Looking for a delicious breakfast treat? Pair these raisin muffins with a generous spread of creamy butter or your favorite jam.
• For a cozy afternoon snack, enjoy these raisin muffins with a hot cup of vanilla caramel latte.
• If you're hosting a brunch, these raisin muffins make a wonderful addition to your spread. Serve them alongside fresh fruit and other breakfast favorites for a satisfying and crowd-pleasing meal.
• For a kid-friendly option, these raisin muffins are perfect for packing in lunchboxes. The sweet and soft texture of the muffins is sure to be a hit with the little ones, and the golden raisins add a nutritious touch to their meal.

Recipe Variation Ideas 

This delicious raisin muffins recipe is perfect as is, but if you're looking to change things up, here are a few variation ideas you can try:

• Spiced: If you're a fan of warm, cozy flavors, add a teaspoon of cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg to the batter. The spices will complement the sweetness of the raisins and add a comforting twist to the muffins.
• Nuts: Fold a half cup of chopped walnuts or pecans into the batter before adding the raisins. The nuts will add a satisfying crunch and flavor.
• Extract: For a simple but effective variation, you can add a teaspoon of almond or any other extract to the batter.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Store Leftovers

• Storing: Once cooled, you can store the raisin muffins in a container with the lid cracked open, otherwise the powdered sugar will make and make the muffins moist. It's also another way I like having them so the choice is yours. They will keep for up to 5 days at room temperature.
• Freezing: This raisin muffin recipe is a great make-ahead option. Simply place the cooled muffins in a sealed ziplock bag and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw them completely covered in a container or ziploc bag before drenching them in powdered sugar.

Similar Recipes You'll Love

• Homemade Buttermilk Muffins (Perfect Breakfast Treat!)
• The Best Banana Crumb Muffins Recipe (Beginner Friendly!)
• Classic Blueberry Muffins (With Homemade Streusel Topping)

See all muffin recipes.

Recipe Card

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This recipe was originally posted on June 20, 2019(original picture below), and updated for a better user experience. The post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure.