Homemade muffin recipe
Arizona Sunrise Muffins with Prickly Pear Jelly
Golden homemade muffins with a bright prickly pear jelly center — based on Cheri's Desert Harvest's Arizona Sunrise Muffins recipe.
- Homemade muffins
- Prickly pear jelly filling
- 400°F / 375°F convection
- 20–25 minutes
What Are Arizona Sunrise Muffins?
Arizona Sunrise Muffins are golden homemade muffins with a bright prickly pear jelly center that appears when you bite or slice into them.
This walkthrough follows Cheri's Desert Harvest's Arizona Sunrise Muffins recipe: fill muffin tins half full, place 1 teaspoon of prickly pear jelly in the exact center (keeping jelly away from the edges), cover with remaining batter, and bake until golden.
The result is a soft muffin with a glossy, fruit-forward surprise inside — a simple technique that works well for breakfast, brunch, or a Southwest-themed spread.
Why Use Prickly Pear Jelly?
Prickly pear jelly is a jelly made using prickly pear cactus fruit. It adds a distinctive fruit note and a vivid color to the muffin center without changing the basic muffin batter.
Prickly pear is often described as fruity and distinctive, but flavor varies by fruit and preparation. In muffins, the jelly stays soft and glossy when sealed inside the batter.
You can substitute another jam or jelly if needed, though prickly pear jelly gives these muffins their signature Southwest character.
Why the Jelly Goes in the Center
- Fill each muffin cup about halfway with batter — do not fill to the top yet.
- Place 1 teaspoon of prickly pear jelly in the exact center of the batter.
- Keep the jelly away from the edges of the cup so it stays sealed inside.
- Spoon remaining batter over the jelly to cover it completely.
- Tins should be about two-thirds full before baking.
- Bake until the tops are golden.
Common Mistakes
- Putting jelly against the muffin edge — it can leak out during baking.
- Overfilling the cup — batter needs room to rise without overflowing.
- Using too much jelly — 1 teaspoon per muffin is enough; more can burst through.
- Not sealing the jelly with enough batter — the top layer should fully cover the jelly.
How to Get a Clean Jelly Center
- Use room-temperature jelly so it spreads easily into a small mound in the center.
- Press the jelly gently into the batter rather than pushing it to the side.
- Fill the top layer of batter evenly so no jelly peeks through before baking.
- Let muffins cool in the pan briefly, then transfer to a rack — cutting while hot can make the center run.
Ingredients
A short pantry list for homemade muffins with a prickly pear jelly center.
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
3 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 cup milk
1 (8-ounce) jar Cheri's Prickly Pear Cactus Jelly
source recipe; 1 tsp per muffin
Ingredients listed above follow Cheri's Desert Harvest's Arizona Sunrise Muffins recipe.
The original Cheri's Desert Harvest recipe calls for an 8-ounce jar of prickly pear jelly. The product shown on this page is the 5 oz (140g) jar available through our Amazon listing.
How to Make Arizona Sunrise Muffins
Preheat to 400°F (standard) or 375°F (convection). Bake 20–25 minutes until golden.
Preheat and Prepare Dry Ingredients
Preheat the oven to 400°F (standard) or 375°F (convection). Line a muffin tin with paper liners. Sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.
Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk the vegetable oil, slightly beaten egg, and milk until frothy.
Combine Batter
Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until moistened. The batter will be lumpy — do not overmix.
Fill the Muffin Cups
Fill muffin tins half full with batter.
Add the Prickly Pear Jelly
Place 1 teaspoon of prickly pear jelly in the exact center of the batter in each cup, keeping the jelly away from the edges.
Cover and Bake
Cover with remaining batter. Tins should be about two-thirds full. Bake for 20–25 minutes until golden.
Printable recipe
Arizona Sunrise Muffins with Prickly Pear Jelly
Golden homemade muffins with a bright prickly pear jelly center — based on Cheri's Desert Harvest's Arizona Sunrise Muffins recipe.
Updated September 1, 2026 · Recipe concept: Cheri's Desert Harvest's Arizona Sunrise Muffins recipe
- Difficulty:
- Easy
- Bake:
- 400°F / 375°F convection
- Time:
- 20–25 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 3 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1 egg, slightly beaten
- 1 cup milk
- 1 (8-ounce) jar Cheri's Prickly Pear Cactus Jelly (source recipe; 1 tsp per muffin)
Ingredients listed above follow Cheri's Desert Harvest's Arizona Sunrise Muffins recipe.
Directions
Preheat and Prepare Dry Ingredients
Preheat the oven to 400°F (standard) or 375°F (convection). Line a muffin tin with paper liners. Sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.
Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk the vegetable oil, slightly beaten egg, and milk until frothy.
Combine Batter
Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until moistened. The batter will be lumpy — do not overmix.
Fill the Muffin Cups
Fill muffin tins half full with batter.
Add the Prickly Pear Jelly
Place 1 teaspoon of prickly pear jelly in the exact center of the batter in each cup, keeping the jelly away from the edges.
Cover and Bake
Cover with remaining batter. Tins should be about two-thirds full. Bake for 20–25 minutes until golden.
Tips for Using Prickly Pear Jelly in Muffins
1 teaspoon of jelly per muffin matches the source recipe's placement guidance. Adjust slightly based on muffin size, but avoid overfilling.
If you substitute another jam, choose one with a similar consistency — thick, spoonable, and not too runny.
Store leftover jelly in the refrigerator after opening.
Explore more ways to use prickly pear jelly beyond muffins — glazes, toast, cheese boards, and cocktails all work well.
Explore more ways to use prickly pear jelly in our complete guide.
About the jelly in this recipe
Packaged product reference for the 5 oz jar used in the topping above. Cheri's Desert Harvest Prickly Pear Cactus Jelly — 5 OZ / 140g (ASIN B000MBM8T8).
Cheri's Desert Harvest
Prickly Pear Cactus Jelly
5 OZ / 140g
Ingredients
- Organic Prickly Pear Cactus
- Organic Lemon Juice
- Pure Cane Sugar
- Citrus Pectin
- Citric Acid
- Made in USA
- Contains Fresh Fruit Juices
- No Artificial Colors
- No Preservatives
5 OZ / 140g · Southwest specialty · Made in USA · View ingredients · Explore serving ideas
More ways to use prickly pear jelly
After muffins, try these ideas from the Prickly Pear Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Practical answers about the muffins and prickly pear jelly.
- What are Arizona Sunrise Muffins?
Arizona Sunrise Muffins are homemade muffins with a prickly pear jelly center. The recipe comes from Cheri's Desert Harvest — you fill muffin tins half full, add 1 teaspoon of jelly in the exact center, cover with batter, and bake until golden.
- How do you put jelly inside a muffin?
Fill each muffin cup about halfway with batter, place 1 teaspoon of jelly in the exact center, then spoon remaining batter on top to cover the jelly completely before baking.
- How much prickly pear jelly should you put in a muffin?
1 teaspoon per muffin matches the source recipe's guidance. Using more can cause the jelly to leak during baking; the exact amount may vary slightly with muffin size.
- What does prickly pear jelly taste like?
Prickly pear jelly is a jelly made using prickly pear cactus fruit. Prickly pear is often described as fruity and distinctive, but flavor varies by fruit and preparation.
- Can I use another jam instead of prickly pear jelly?
Yes. Any thick, spoonable jam or jelly can work. Prickly pear jelly gives these muffins their Southwest character, but raspberry, apricot, or other fruit jams are reasonable substitutes.
- What temperature do you bake these muffins at?
Bake at 400°F in a standard oven, or 375°F if using convection, until the tops are golden.
- How long do Arizona Sunrise Muffins bake?
Bake for 20–25 minutes. Exact time depends on your oven and muffin size — start checking at 20 minutes.
- What is prickly pear jelly?
Prickly pear jelly is a jelly made using prickly pear cactus fruit, typically with sugar and pectin. Cheri's Desert Harvest Prickly Pear Cactus Jelly uses organic prickly pear cactus, organic lemon juice, pure cane sugar, citrus pectin, and citric acid.
- Where can I buy prickly pear jelly?
Cheri's Desert Harvest Prickly Pear Cactus Jelly (5 oz / 140g, ASIN B000MBM8T8) is available through the Amazon listing linked on this page.
Ready for a little prickly-pear surprise?
Bake the muffins, try the jelly center, then explore more ways to use prickly pear jelly.
5 OZ / 140g · Southwest specialty · Made in USA · View ingredients · Explore serving ideas