Instantly Upgrade Basic Muffin Mix with Dried Cherries and Mango

If you love the sweet, chewy bite of dried fruit, don’t just reserve it for granola and trail mix. This is the simple pantry mix-in to get your fix of fruit-filled muffins.

We’re starting with our basic muffin recipe and giving it a fruity boost from the pantry with a duo of dried cherries and dried mango. This sweet and tart duo lends a little extra oompf to otherwise basic muffins. Dried cherries come with a tartness that make them a perfect pairing with the sweeter pieces of dried mango.

Consider this your opportunity to use up that extra-tough dried fruit hanging out in the back of the pantry. Rehydrating the fruit will temper the toughness, and baking will soften the pieces even more.

Get the recipe: How To Make Muffins: The Simplest, Easiest Method

Soak about 1/4 cup of snipped dried cherries and 1/4 cup of chopped dried mango in about 1 cup of boiling water, while you prepare the batter for basic muffins. Drain the water and stir the dried fruit into the batter. Spoon the batter into muffin tins, and top with additional dried cherries and chopped dried mango. Bake according to the recipe instructions.

Basic muffin mix is a blank canvas with delicious possibilities. This series shows you how easy it can be to give this baked breakfast treat an instant upgrade — and it only takes a couple pantry staples.