Something special: A blueberry muffin
You’ll want to try this crispy-topped mini cake packed with fresh blueberries (if you can get to Cape Ann).
When driving to Rockport, MA, I know when my husband asks “Do you need to get vegetables at the farm stand?” he really means, “Shall we see if Farmhouse Kitchen still has blueberry muffins?”
Farmhouse Kitchen's muffins have all the features that make them such a magnet: a crispy golden brown top that is dusted with sugar, a moist center with a hint of lemon and the right balance of sweetness, and lots of blueberries.
Chrissy Sweet Andrus makes a dozen pans of a dozen blueberry muffins daily, and they usually sell out before the Farmhouse Kitchen in Rockport, MA, closes for the day. It’s by far the best seller at her café, which also makes sandwiches, salads, smoothies, coffees, and popular quiches loaded with seasonal vegetables from the adjacent Lattof Farm stand.
Chrissy is often asked whether her blueberry muffins are related to the Jordan Marsh muffin of lore. She told me that she started with her mother’s recipe and that it might very well have been based on that iconic recipe, but that she’s altered it many times to produce her beloved version.
The blueberries are from the Lattof Farm stand when blueberries are in season.
The blueberry muffins are literally a labor of love. “I mix everything by hand,” Chrissy says. “I tried using a mixer and it just didn’t work because those muffins were too cakey and biscuity.” She says she gets cupping each week to ease the occupational stress on her shoulder. Let’s hope the therapy works for her sake and tasty muffin sake.
Despite the physical demands of baking and running the café, Chrissy clearly gets a lot of joy from how she spends her days. “This is my dream job,” Chrissy says. “It’s relaxing to bake and cook for people. People love what I do and they are so appreciative!”
Chrissy and husband Patrick run the café. She calls him the official taste tester. “We work really well together,” Patrick says. “She’s Wonder Woman, and I have so much respect for her. She is working so hard.”
They’ve clearly figured out the recipe for a great partnership. Patrick serves customers at the front counter. When customers compliment the muffins and other tasty treats, he immediately calls Chrissy away from cooking in the side kitchen to receive the raves directly. They met just before the pandemic, started working together soon afterward, and were married on December 31, 2020.
The Farmhouse Kitchen is on land that’s been in Chrissy’s family since 1902. She founded the café five years ago after leaving a stressful job in the dental industry. Her father advised her to give the business three to five years to take off. “We just hit our fifth year and it’s going very well,” Chrissy says.
The café is open year round, and has outdoor seating at picnic tables shaded by big umbrellas.
Where to find them (and you should!)
Farmhouse Kitchen, 205 Main St., Rockport MA 978-879-3940
@lattoffarmhousekitchen on Facebook and Instagram
What’s your most memorable muffin or bakery treat? Share in the comments!
Appreciate the reference to Jordan Marsh! Reminds me of my childhood when my mom and grandmother would take us to the Braintree Mall for those muffins..
How wonderful that the business is on land that has long been in Chrissy's family. The muffins look absolutely delicious. Now I'm hungry! I'm partial to banana nut muffins.