Valentine's Day Strawberry Muffins
These Valentine's Day muffins get their name from the sliced strawberry on top that resembles a heart. Perfect for February 14 or when you have too many strawberries.
lemon juice
1
tablespoon
milk
1
cup
white sugar
1 ½
cups
butter, at room temperature
½
cup
large eggs
4
lemon extract
2
teaspoons
lemon zest
½
teaspoon
chopped fresh strawberries
1 ½
cups
all-purpose flour
3
cups
baking powder
1
teaspoon
baking soda
½
teaspoon
salt
½
teaspoon
miniature semisweet chocolate chips (Optional)
½
cup
fresh strawberry
12
slices
white sugar
1
tablespoon
 Mix lemon juice with as much milk as needed to measure 1 cup; let soured milk stand for 5 minutes before using.
  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line 24 muffin tins with paper liners.
  Beat together 1 1/2 cups sugar and butter in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Mix in lemon extract. Gradually stir in soured milk and lemon zest, then gently fold in strawberries.
  Mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl until combined. Stir into butter mixture until batter is just combined. Fold in chocolate chips until evenly distributed.
  Spoon batter into the prepared muffin cups, about 2/3 full. Place a strawberry slice atop each muffin and sprinkle the tops with 1 tablespoon sugar.
  Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool in the pans for 5 minutes before serving warm.
