Versatile Muffins Master Recipe
Elevate your muffin-making game with this versatile muffin recipe that's perfect for creating hundreds of delicious variations. Whether you're using fresh fruits, nuts, spices, or even savory ingredients like bacon and cheese, this adaptable recipe is your ticket to becoming the 'Muffin Queen' among your friends and family. Originally from 'The Tightwad Gazette,' this recipe allows you the flexibility to choose your favorite additions and lets you explore the endless possibilities of muffin-making, from delightful breakfast treats to scrumptious dessert muffins.
12
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
flour
1 1/2 cups (unbleached all-purpose)
sugar
1/2 cup (granulated)
baking powder
2 teaspoons (aluminum-free)
salt
1/2 teaspoon (table)
milk
1 cup (or substitute with any liquid)
oil
1/4 cup (or substitute with equivalent oil substitute)
egg
1 (lightly beaten)
fruit or additions
1 1/2 cups (e.g., 1 cup mashed banana and 1/2 cup chopped walnuts)
spices
as desired (optional, e.g., cinnamon or nutmeg)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and prepare a muffin tin by lightly greasing 12 standard muffin cups or 24 mini muffin cups. Alternatively, you can use muffin liners.
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine all the dry ingredients: 1 1/2 cups flour, 1/2 cup sugar (or less for savory muffins), 2 teaspoons baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. If adding dry additions like nuts or chocolate chips, and spices, mix them in as well.
3
In a separate bowl, whisk together all the wet ingredients: 1 cup milk (or any other liquid of choice) and 1/4 cup oil (or oil substitute). Add one beaten egg to the mixture. If including wet additions like mashed banana or berries, fold them into this liquid mixture.
4
Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and gently fold them together until just combined. Be careful not to overmix as this can result in tough muffins.
5
Carefully spoon the batter into the prepared muffin cups, filling each about 2/3 full. If you have extra batter, feel free to fill some cups to the top.
6
Bake in the preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
7
Allow the muffins to cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
8
Experiment and enjoy! To create non-sweet muffins, reduce the sugar to 1 tablespoon. For a cornbread twist, substitute 1/2 cup of the flour with cornmeal and use 2 tablespoons of sugar. To infuse a peanut butter flavor, replace the oil with peanut butter, adding banana and peanuts for an Elvis-inspired twist.
9
Adjust the batter by adding up to 1/2 cup more flour if using very wet ingredients like crushed pineapple.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Versatile Muffins Master Recipe?
It is an adaptable base recipe from 'The Tightwad Gazette' designed for creating hundreds of muffin variations by changing additions and spices.
How many muffins does this recipe make?
This recipe yields 12 standard muffins or 24 mini muffins.
At what temperature should I preheat the oven?
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
How do I prepare the muffin tin?
Lightly grease 12 standard muffin cups or 24 mini muffin cups, or use muffin liners.
What dry ingredients are required?
The dry ingredients include 1 1/2 cups flour, 1/2 cup sugar (adjust for savory), 2 teaspoons baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
What wet ingredients are required?
The wet ingredients consist of 1 cup milk, 1/4 cup oil, and one beaten egg.
Can I use a milk substitute?
Yes, you can substitute the milk with any liquid of your choice.
Can I use an oil substitute?
Yes, you can use 1/4 cup of any oil substitute equivalent.
How do I make savory muffins?
To create non-sweet muffins, reduce the sugar to 1 tablespoon.
When should I add dry additions like nuts or chocolate chips?
Mix dry additions into the large bowl with the other dry ingredients before combining with wet ingredients.
When should I add wet additions like mashed bananas or berries?
Fold wet additions into the liquid mixture bowl before combining with the dry ingredients.
What is the most important tip for mixing the batter?
Gently fold the wet and dry ingredients together until just combined; do not overmix.
What happens if I overmix the muffin batter?
Overmixing can result in tough muffins rather than light and fluffy ones.
How much should I fill the muffin cups?
Fill each cup about 2/3 full, though you can fill them to the top if you have extra batter.
How long do the muffins need to bake?
Bake in the preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes.
How can I tell when the muffins are finished baking?
The muffins are done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
How should I cool the muffins?
Allow them to cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
How do I make a cornbread variation?
Substitute 1/2 cup of the flour with cornmeal and use 2 tablespoons of sugar.
How can I make peanut butter flavored muffins?
Replace the oil in the recipe with peanut butter.
What is the 'Elvis-inspired' muffin twist?
Replace the oil with peanut butter and add banana and peanuts as your fruit/additions.
What should I do if I use very wet ingredients like crushed pineapple?
Adjust the batter by adding up to 1/2 cup more flour to compensate for the extra moisture.
What kind of flour is recommended?
The recipe suggests 1 1/2 cups of unbleached all-purpose flour.
What kind of baking powder is suggested?
The recipe calls for 2 teaspoons of aluminum-free baking powder.
Can I add spices to the recipe?
Yes, you can add spices as desired, such as cinnamon or nutmeg, into the dry ingredients.
How much total fruit or additions can I use?
The recipe suggests adding up to 1 1/2 cups of additions like fruit or nuts.
Can I use savory ingredients like cheese and bacon?
Yes, the recipe is versatile enough to include savory ingredients; just remember to reduce the sugar.
Is this recipe suitable for breakfast treats?
Yes, it is excellent for breakfast when using fruit, nuts, or even as cornbread.
Can this be used for dessert muffins?
Yes, by using the full sugar amount and sweet additions like chocolate chips, it makes a scrumptious dessert.
Is a specific type of salt required?
The recipe list specifies 1/2 teaspoon of table salt.
What type of sugar is best?
Granulated sugar is recommended for the standard recipe.