In our humble opinion, muffins are one of the more under-appreciated pastries. Yes, the oft-eaten treats are a breakfast essential, and tasty to boot. Yet in a world of fluffier-than-air cupcakes, delightful donuts, and gooey cookies, they can get lost amid the flurry of sweet, over-the-top options.
That would be a shame though, right? This time around, we’re giving muffins their day in the sun. Whether you pick up a sky-high sweet to power your weekday morning or sneak one into your late-afternoon pick-me-up with coffee, you’ll love taking a few quiet moments to savor the Hudson Valley’s under-the-radar snacks.
View this post on Instagram
Vitsky Bakery at Ten Mile Table
Wassaic
Order: Tahini Chocolate Marble Muffin
It’s dangerous to live in driving distance to Ten Mile Table, home of Vitsky Bakery. The hybrid artisanal shop/bakery counter is particularly tempting around breakfast time on the weekends, when it lures innocent passersby with enticing scents of chocolate croissants and rose apple scones. Get them if you like, but don’t forget to treat yourself to a tahini chocolate marble muffin if you spot it among Vitsky’s ever-changing lineup. You can savor it right then and there or, if you’re really feeling it, throw in an order of fresh challah or foccacia, then pat yourself on the back for indulging in a much-needed self-care moment.
View this post on Instagram
Bread Alone
Boiceville, Rhinebeck, Woodstock
Order: Baker’s Muffin
Bread Alone does pretty much everything well, so it’s no surprise that the Hudson Valley mainstay’s muffins are top-notch. While you can’t go wrong with the hearty morning glory muffin or iconic blueberry, the baker’s muffin is the true showstopper on the lineup. Comprised of bits and pieces from leftover croissant dough, this muffin gets the all-star treatment with a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar to yield a hybrid pastry that’s everything you love about a croissant and a muffin in one handheld package.
View this post on Instagram
By the Way Bakery
Hastings-on-Hudson
Order: Cinnamon Chocolate Chip Muffin
When you need a wake-up call sans the blaring alarm, go straight to By the Way Bakery and pick up the classic blueberry muffin. When you need a middle-of-the-day pick-me-up however, make a beeline for the cinnamon chocolate chipper. Topped with a brown sugar crumble, it’s more than a little addicting.
View this post on Instagram
Dottie Audrey’s Bakery and Kitchen
Tuxedo Park
Order: Corn Muffins
Be warned, Hudson Valley sweet teeth! Dottie Audrey’s is a confectionary wonderland in Orange County. Don’t let that sidetrack you from your muffin-powered journey, though. Options like corn, blueberry, and banana chocolate chip make the trek to Tuxedo Park more than worth it. Of course, if you do get distracted by the wealth of goodies while you’re there, feel free to pick up a cupcake or crumble bar for the road.
View this post on Instagram
Katie Rose Bakery
Hopewell Junction
Order: Gluten-Free Strawberry Muffins
Ok, so we can’t promise you’ll find a gluten-free strawberry muffin waiting for you whenever you decide to take a trip to Katie Rose, since the menu depends largely upon the bakery’s whims. Don’t let that deter you from a trip, though. Who knows, your journey to the shop may lead you to an equally tempting chocolate chip or morning glory muffin instead. Katie Rose has an ample selection of gluten-free goodies, which means that an even wider audience can enjoy the treats here.
Our Town Bagels & Bakery
Mahopac
Order: Apple Crumb Muffin
Mahopac’s cornerstone bakery is a must for bagels and coffee in the morning. When you’re ready to switch it up from the same old, same old, go for one of the shop’s towering muffins. While corn and blueberry are standby flavors, the apple crumb hits a delightful balance between fruity and buttery that’s especially wonderful during the autumnal months in the Hudson Valley.
View this post on Instagram
Rockland Bakery
Nanuet
Order: Lemon Poppy Muffin
If you’re in the Nanuet area, you’re probably most familiar with the yeasted treats that come out of Rockland Bakery. Think bagels, breads, rolls, the works. While those goodies are admittedly wonderful, they’re only part of the story at the all-in-one bakery, which does sweet just as well as savory. On the muffin front, the lemon poppy variety is a dream afternoon snack when you need a treat that doesn’t send you straight into a sugar coma.
Related: Where to Find Chewy, Gooey Cookies in the Hudson Valley
