Picnic Perfect: Easy recipes for sunny days

These easy-to-make recipes are designed to travel well and taste even better under the sun. From savoury pinwheels to refreshing fruit skewers and zesty lemon bars, you will be ready to roll out your blanket and dig in.

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Bursting Blueberry Muffins

  • 1½ cups all-purpose flour
    2 tsp baking powder
    ¾ cup granulated sugar
    ½ tsp salt
    1 large egg
    ½ cup milk
    ¼ cup vegetable oil
    1 tsp vanilla extract
    1 cup fresh blueberries

  • Preheat oven to 400°F and line a muffin tin with paper liners or lightly grease each cup. In a large bowl, mix flour, baking powder, sugar and salt until combined. In another bowl, beat egg, then whisk in milk, vegetable oil and vanilla extract until fully blended. Create a well in the dry ingredients and pour in wet mixture. Gently fold with a spatula just until combined. The batter should be slightly lumpy. Don’t overmix. 
    Carefully fold in the fresh blueberries. Fill each muffin cup about two-thirds full. Bake for 18-22 minutes or until 
    the tops are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean. Let muffins cool in the pan for five minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

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Chocolate Chip Muffins

  • 2 cups all-purpose our
    1 cup granulated sugar
    1 tbsp baking powder
    ½ tsp salt
    ½ tsp baking soda
    1 cup milk
    ½ cup butter, melted
    2 large eggs
    1 tsp vanilla extract
    1½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips 

  • Preheat oven to 375°F and line a muffin tin with paper liners or lightly grease each cup. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk together milk, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth.
    Create a well in the dry ingredients and pour in wet mixture. Gently fold with a spatula just until combined. Don’t overmix. Carefully fold in chocolate chips. Ensure they are evenly distributed.
    Fill each muffin cup about two-thirds full. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until tops are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean. Let muffins cool in the pan for five minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

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Luscious Carrot Muffins

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
    3 tsp baking powder
    2 tsp cinnamon
    ½ tsp salt
    1 cup granulated sugar
    1 cup vegetable oil
    3 eggs
    2 cups shredded carrot
    1 apple, peeled and shredded
    ½ cup raisins

  • Preheat oven to 375°F and line a muffin tin with paper liners or lightly grease each cup. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk together sugar, oil and eggs. Create a well in the dry ingredients and pour in wet mixture. Gently fold with a spatula just until combined. Lightly fold in carrots, apples and raisins. 
    Fill each muffin cup about two-thirds full. Bake for 25-29 minutes or until tops are golden and a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean. Let muffins cool in the pan for five minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

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Coffee Cake Muffins

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour1 cup granulated sugar½ cup butter, melted1 tbsp baking powder½ tsp salt1 tsp cinnamon
    ½ cup milk
    2 large eggs½ tsp vanilla extract
    Streusel
    ½ cup all-purpose flour
    ½ cup brown sugar, packed¼ cup butter, cold and cut into small pieces1 teaspoon cinnamon

  • Preheat oven to 375°F and line a muffin tin with paper liners or lightly grease each cup. In a large bowl, mix flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. In a separate bowl, combine melted butter, milk, eggs, and vanilla extract. Whisk together until well combined.
    Create a well in the dry ingredients and pour in wet mixture. Gently fold with a spatula just until combined. Don’t overmix.

    In a small bowl, prepare streusel by mixing together flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Add in the cold butter pieces and mix with a pastry cutter until 
    you have coarse crumbs.
    Fill each muffin cup about two-thirds full. Sprinkle streusel evenly over top of muffin batter. Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the centre of a muffin comes out clean. Let muffins cool in the pan for five minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.  

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