Mackinac Lemon Blueberry Muffins

I've only been to Mackinac Island once and that was with my parents when I was a teenager. The only thing I remember is the island didn't have any cars and the weather being rather cool even though it was in the middle of the summer. Anyway, I saw this Mackinac Lemon Blueberry Muffins recipe in my Cooks Country magazine and had to make them right away. They're sweet, tangy, lemony, and oh so perfect. Dr. Sweetpea has been eating a muffin every morning on his way to the hospital. This is definitely a keeper for us and will be something I make regularly.

Mackinac Lemon Blueberry Muffins

(Source: Cooks Country) 

1 1/2 cups (10 1/2 ounces) sugar

5 teaspoons grated lemon zest (2 lemons)

2 1/2 cups (12 1/2 ounces) all-purpose flour

4 teaspoons baking powder

3/4 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups sour cream

7 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

2 large eggs

7 1/2 ounces (1 1/2 cups) frozen blueberries

Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 400 degrees. Generously spray 12-cup muffin tin, including top, with vegetable oil spray. Combine 1/4 cup sugar and 2 teaspoons lemon zest in small bowl; set aside.

Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt together in bowl. Whisk sour cream, 5 tablespoons melted butter, eggs, remaining 1 1/4 cups sugar, and remaining 1 tablespoon lemon zest together in large bowl.

Using rubber spatula, fold flour mixture into sour cream mixture until just combined. Fold in blueberries until just evenly distributed; do not overmix. Using greased 1/3-cup dry measuring cup or #12 portion scoop, portion batter among cups in prepared muffin tin; evenly distribute any remaining batter among cups. Brush batter with remaining 2 tablespoons melted butter and sprinkle with sugar-zest mixture (about 1 teaspoon per muffin cup).

Bake until muffins are golden brown and toothpick inserted in center comes out with few crumbs attached, 20 to 25 minutes, rotating muffin tin halfway through baking. Let muffins cool in muffin tin on wire rack for 10 minutes. Transfer muffins to rack and let cool for 5 minutes. Serve warm.