Lemon-Blueberry Muffin Cookies

(3)

These lemon-blueberry muffin cookies are the dessert you’ve been waiting for. These cookies combine the soft, chewy texture of a cookie with juicy blueberries and the crisp streusel topping of a muffin all wrapped into one. Serve them with a cup of tea or coffee for the perfect pairing, or pack them up for a picnic or on-the-go snack. They’re sure to be a hit with everyone!

an image of the Lemony Blueberry Muffin Cookies
Credit:

Photographer: Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Active Time:
35 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 30 mins
Servings:
24
  • Blueberries bring antioxidants to these cookies, and may help with brain health.
  • Whole-wheat flour adds fiber and B vitamins, improving your metabolic and gut health.
  • Freezing the cookies before baking keeps the streusel topping from melting too much.

Are they cookies or muffins? Our Lemon-Blueberry Muffin Cookies are the best of both and will have you rethinking how you make your muffins. We take a classic muffin batter and add the bright flavors of lemon, plus whole-wheat flour for extra fiber. The antioxidant-rich blueberries are the star of the show. They burst and take on the most delicious jammy texture as these cookies bake. These muffin cookies are light and fluffy on the inside with crisp muffin-top edges on the outside. The crumbly and rich streusel topping is out-of-this-world, and a sweet lemony drizzle firmly cements these cookies as an impressive dessert for any occasion. Keep reading for our expert tips, including why the freezing time is important. 

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too!

  • Bump up the streusel’s flavor by adding ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon.
  • Freezing the cookies before baking helps the streusel maintain its shape instead of melting into the cookie when it hits the oven.
  • Don’t worry if some of the blueberries break or split while scooping the cookie dough into balls. This is normal and will help blend the blueberries into the dough, creating beautiful jam-like streaks.

Nutrition Notes

  • When you want to add more fiber to your recipes, but you still need a light and airy texture to your baked goods, try substituting half of the flour with whole-wheat flour, like we did in this recipe. You’ll not only get the extra fiber boost, which is great for your gut health, you’ll also get additional B vitamins—excellent for your metabolic health. 
  • Blueberries are rich in anthocyanins, which are the antioxidants responsible for their deep blue color. They also contain a mix of other antioxidants, like carotenoids and flavonoids, and have been studied for their benefits to cognition and improved brain health when eaten regularly.
an image of the ingredients to make the Lemony Blueberry Muffin Cookies

Photographer: Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 24 servings

  • cups granulated sugar, divided

  • sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature, divided

  • 1 large egg, at room temperature

  • 3 teaspoons grated lemon zest, divided

  • tablespoons lemon juice, divided, plus more juice as needed

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour, divided

  • cups whole-wheat flour, divided

  • ¾ teaspoon salt, divided

  • ½ teaspoon baking powder

  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda

  • cups fresh blueberries

  • ¼ cup packed light brown sugar

  • 1 cup confectioners’ sugar

Directions

  1. Position oven racks in upper and lower thirds; preheat to 375°F. Line 2 large rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper.

  2. Place 1¼ cups granulated sugar and 1 cup butter in a large mixing bowl; beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add 1 egg, 1 teaspoon lemon zest and 1 tablespoon lemon juice; beat on low speed until combined, 15 to 30 seconds.

    an image of the butter and sugar being mixed together

    Photographer: Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

  3. In a medium bowl, whisk 1½ cups all-purpose flour, 1½ cups whole-wheat flour, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon baking powder and ¼ teaspoon baking soda. With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, beating until just combined. Gently fold in blueberries until evenly distributed.

    an image of the blueberries being folded into the mixture

    Photographer: Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

  4. In the medium bowl, combine ¼ cup brown sugar and the remaining 2 teaspoons lemon zest, ¼ cup butter, ¼ cup granulated sugar, ½ cup all-purpose flour, ¼ cup whole-wheat flour and ¼ teaspoon salt. Use a fork or your hands to mix until the mixture is crumbly and holds together when squeezed.

    an image of the streusel mixture being combined

    Photographer: Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

  5. Using a 1⅓-ounce (2½-tablespoon) scoop, scoop 24 cookie dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets, about 2 inches apart. Top each ball with about 2 teaspoons streusel mixture, pressing firmly into the dough to adhere (the dough should flatten slightly). Freeze, uncovered, until firm, about 15 minutes.

    an image of the cookie dough balls topped with the streusel mixture

    Photographer: Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

  6. Bake both sheets, rotating the sheets top to bottom halfway through, until the cookie edges are golden brown and set and the streusel is lightly crisp, about 20 minutes. Let cool to room temperature on the baking sheets set on wire racks, about 20 minutes.

  7. Whisk confectioners’ sugar and the remaining 1½ tablespoons lemon juice in a small bowl until smooth and easily drizzled (add more lemon juice, ½ teaspoon at a time, to reach desired consistency, if needed). Drizzle over the cooled cookies.

To make ahead

Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is streusel?

    This sweet crumb topping is a crowning glory for muffins, pies, cakes and breads, adding sweet flavor and a pleasing texture. It’s easy to make with just a few ingredients: flour, butter and sugar, and sometimes cinnamon or nutmeg.

  • How should I store Blueberry Muffin Cookies?

    Transfer completely cooled cookies to an airtight container, then store them at room temperature for up to 5 days.

  • What should I serve with Blueberry Muffin Cookies?

    You can’t go wrong pairing this dessert with a hot beverage. Serve with coffee, black or green tea, our Chai or a mug of hot chocolate, such as our Healthy Hot Cacao or Healthy Hot Chocolate.

EatingWell.com, March 2025

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

235 Calories
10g Fat
35g Carbs
3g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 24
Serving Size 1 cookie
Calories 235
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 35g 13%
Dietary Fiber 1g 5%
Total Sugars 20g
Protein 3g 5%
Total Fat 10g 13%
Saturated Fat 6g 30%
Cholesterol 33mg 11%
Vitamin A 85µg
Vitamin C 1mg 2%
Vitamin D 0µg
Vitamin E 0mg 3%
Folate 25µg
Vitamin K 3µg
Sodium 95mg 4%
Calcium 17mg 1%
Iron 1mg 5%
Magnesium 16mg 4%
Potassium 61mg 1%
Zinc 0mg 3%
Vitamin B12 0µg
Omega 3 0g

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

Additional reporting by
Sarah Pflugradt, Ph.D., RDN, CSCS
Sarah Pflugradt

Sarah Pflugradt is a registered dietitian who holds a Ph.D. in Health and Human Performance and is a certified strength and conditioning specialist. Her extensive background in dietetics has made her a sought-after expert in family and youth sports nutrition.

and
Linda Frahm
Linda Frahm has been a copy editor and fact checker working with food and nutrition content for the past 30-plus years for consumer print and online publications.