These Amish Friendship Peach Muffins are soft, tender, and bursting with juicy peaches, perfect for using up sweet starter in a cozy, summery bake.
Bake at 425°F (218°C) for 5 minutes. Without opening the oven, reduce the temperature to 350°F (177°C) and continue baking for another 15-18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
*If you prefer a flatter muffin top, skip the temperature change and bake at 350°F (177°C) for 20–25 minutes instead.
Can I use sourdough discard in place of the Amish starter? Yes! I recommend using discard that is no more than a week old to avoid a sour taste in the muffins. Ensure it is brought to room temperature before mixing.
Muffin quantity: Yields 12-14 muffins, though the final count may vary depending on the amount of batter used per muffin cup.
Can I long ferment the muffins? Yes! These muffins can be long fermented for deeper flavor and better digestibility. You have two options:
Overnight Refrigeration: Mix all ingredients except the peaches, cover, and refrigerate overnight. In the morning pull the batter from the fridge and let it get to room temperature, stir in the peaches, scoop into muffin liners, and bake as usual.
Room Temperature Fermentation: Mix the sour cream, milk, Amish Friendship Starter (or sourdough discard), sugar, and flour, then cover and let rest at room temperature for up to 8 hours. After fermentation, add the remaining ingredients, fold in the peaches, and bake. If using this option a stand/hand mixer will mix the batter the best.
Peaches: Make sure your peaches aren’t overly ripe—firm, fresh peaches work best. Overripe, frozen, or canned peaches tend to release too much moisture, which can affect the texture of the final bake.
Sour cream/Greek Yogurt: Use full-fat for the best texture, lower-fat versions can affect how the muffins bake and rise.