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Kid-Friendly Brown Sugar Glazed Meatloaf Muffins

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Perfectly portioned, crusty-edged little meatloaves that cook in half the time of a traditional loaf. These kid-friendly muffins feature a sweet brown sugar glaze that caramelizes on top, creating a sticky, sweet crust that contrasts beautifully with the savory, juicy meat.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ pounds (680g) ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
  • ½ cup (60g) breadcrumbs (plain or Italian-style)
  • ¼ cup (60ml) milk (whole milk preferred)
  • 1 large egg
  • ¼ cup (60ml) ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon (15ml) Worcestershire sauce
  • ½ medium onion, finely diced (about ½ cup or 75g)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme (optional)
  • ½ cup (100g) brown sugar, packed
  • ¼ cup (60ml) ketchup (for glaze)
  • 1 teaspoon yellow mustard (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray or oil.
  2. Make the glaze: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine ½ cup packed brown sugar, ¼ cup ketchup, 1 teaspoon yellow mustard, and 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar. Whisk until sugar dissolves and mixture is smooth, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, ¼ cup ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, diced onion, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and dried thyme. Mix with your hands just until combined, about 30 seconds.
  4. Divide the meat mixture evenly among the 12 muffin cups (about ⅓ cup each). Press gently into each cup, leaving a small mound on top.
  5. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the brown sugar glaze over each muffin, spreading evenly. Reserve remaining glaze.
  6. Bake for 15 minutes on the middle rack.
  7. Remove from oven and spoon remaining glaze over the tops (about ½ tablespoon per muffin). Return to oven and bake for another 5 minutes.
  8. Let muffins rest in the tin for 5 minutes. Use a small spatula or butter knife to loosen edges, then lift each muffin out. Serve warm.

Notes

Don’t overmix the meat mixture to avoid tough muffins. Use a cookie scoop for even portions. The two-step glazing process is key for the caramelized crust. Let muffins rest for 5 minutes before removing from the tin. For make-ahead, assemble and refrigerate up to 24 hours in advance; add 5 minutes to baking time.

Nutrition

Keywords: meatloaf muffins, brown sugar glazed meatloaf, kid-friendly meatloaf, easy meatloaf recipe, individual meatloaf, quick dinner, family dinner

Find it online: https://zestynora.com/kid-friendly-brown-sugar-glazed-meatloaf-muffins-easy-recipe/