Stir This Pantry Staple In Store-Bought Muffin Mix And They'll Taste Homemade

While fresh-baked homemade muffins taste amazing for breakfast, let's be real — sometimes a box of store-bought muffin mix is more ... realistic. But the good news is, a time-saving, boxed mix doesn't mean you have to sacrifice flavor. There are plenty of ways to make boxed muffin mix taste homemade, and one of our favorite tricks involves a pantry staple you likely already have on hand: extract. Adding something as simple as a couple of teaspoons of vanilla extract to the muffin mix can lift the flavor and impart a more balanced and complex taste. The concentrated aromatics and flavors, whether that be vanilla, coconut, almond, or other popular extracts, can transform the best and worst store-bought mixes to taste more homemade — even the ones with rather one-dimensional or sweet flavor profiles.

A touch of lemon extract can add brightness to an average blueberry muffin, or cover up some of the off notes from high-intensity sweeteners or flavors sometimes present in boxed mixes. Some quality vanilla or coconut extract can add a pleasant depth to your favorite mix, or balance the hearty taste of protein or whole wheat muffin mix varieties. Some peppermint extract can give a store-bought chocolate muffin mix a holiday twist. Whatever extract you choose, the baked result will showcase all the convenience of a mix, plus the added flavor intrigue of a scratch-made breakfast treat.

Like folding in other mix-ins, such as fresh fruit, lemon zest, walnuts, or extra spices, adding extract can elevate a store-bought muffin mix. It can also foster creative recipes. Since vanilla extract can enhance chocolate flavors, add it to your chocolate muffin mix to make the boxed stuff taste strikingly reminiscent of your favorite homemade death by chocolate muffin recipe. While you're at it, fold chocolate chips into the batter and drizzle ganache on top of the baked muffins for an even bigger chocolatey boost. Trust us, no one will ever know they were made from a mix.

Add a teaspoon or two of almond extract to white cake or muffin mix, transfer the batter to a muffin tin, and top each muffin with some thinly sliced almonds to easily transform a standard boxed mix into a breakfast you'll look forward to in the morning. For extra finesse, top your muffins with a powdered sugar glaze with some vanilla extract mixed in. Almond or vanilla extract (or a combination of the two) works excellently to amplify citrusy store-bought muffin mix flavors like lemon blueberry or lemon poppyseed. You can also transform a relatively plain muffin mix with maple extract and maple syrup for a serious breakfast win.

Really, the possibilities — and extract flavors — are endless. If you've got extract in your pantry, don't sleep on the opportunity to give your store-bought muffin mix an upgrade.