The Ritz-Carlton’s Blueberry Muffins

This recipe came to The Times by way of Marian Burros in a 1985 article about the famous muffins served at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Boston. The hotel has been serving blueberry muffins since it opened in 1927, but in 1971, then pastry chef Charles Bonino set out to develop a better recipe. One of the city's best-known department stores, Gilchrist's – long since closed – was renowned for its version, so Mr. Bonino bought dozens of the muffins over the years and would analyze and and try to replicate them. He was never totally happy with the results, even if the guests were. Gunther Moesinger, the pastry chef who succeeded Mr. Bonino in 1982, again made more changes, swapping out shortening for butter, increasing the eggs and blueberries and reducing the baking powder. This recipe is an adaptation of Mr. Moesinger's recipe which results in a plump, crusty-topped muffin. They're best eaten the day they are made.

INGREDIENTS
3 ½ cups sifted all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons baking powder
¾ cup sugar
 Pinch salt, optional
5 eggs, slightly beaten
½ cup milk
5 ounces unsalted butter, melted and cooled
4 or 5 cups blueberries, fresh or frozen
 Additional sugar for topping

Heat oven to 425 degrees.

Mix all dry ingredients together. Stir in eggs, milk and butter; do not overmix. Carefully stir in berries.

Grease the top of large muffin tins. Insert paper cups and spoon batter to the top of the paper cups. Sprinkle generously with sugar.

Reduce heat to 400 degrees, place muffin tins on middle shelf of oven. Bake about 25 minutes, until muffins are golden brown. Remove from muffin tins and cool.