Muffins are a staple in many households, whether as a breakfast treat or a snack. They come in different flavors and variations, making them a versatile and delicious treat for any occasion. However, making muffins from scratch can be daunting, especially for beginners. That's where the base muffin recipe comes in handy. This recipe serves as a foundation for any muffin flavor you want to make, making it a must-have in your recipe collection.
Ingredients
To make the base muffin recipe, you will need the following ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
2 large eggs
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Now that you have all the ingredients let's start making the base muffin recipe. 1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a muffin tin with paper liners or grease with cooking spray. 2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt until well combined. 3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted butter, eggs, milk, and vanilla extract. 4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Do not overmix, or your muffins will be tough. 5. Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin tin, filling each cup about 3/4 full. 6. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. 7. Remove the muffin tin from the oven and let the muffins cool for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutrition
The base muffin recipe makes 12 muffins, and each muffin contains approximately:
Calories: 208
Carbohydrates: 28g
Protein: 4g
Fat: 9g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 56mg
Sodium: 231mg
Potassium: 136mg
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 11g
Vitamin A: 327IU
Calcium: 89mg
Iron: 1mg
Variations
One of the best things about the base muffin recipe is its versatility. You can add various ingredients to create different flavors and textures. Here are some variations you can try:
Blueberry Muffins
To make blueberry muffins, add 1 cup of fresh or frozen blueberries to the batter. Gently fold the blueberries into the batter to avoid smashing them. You can also sprinkle some granulated sugar on top of the muffins before baking for a crunchy topping.
Banana Nut Muffins
To make banana nut muffins, mash 2 ripe bananas and add them to the wet ingredients. You can also add 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans to the batter for extra crunch and flavor.
Chocolate Chip Muffins
To make chocolate chip muffins, add 1 cup of chocolate chips to the batter. You can use any type of chocolate chips, including semi-sweet, milk, or dark.
Apple Cinnamon Muffins
To make apple cinnamon muffins, add 1 cup of diced apples and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon to the batter. You can also sprinkle some cinnamon sugar on top of the muffins before baking for a delicious topping.
Tips for Making Perfect Muffins
Making muffins is easy, but there are some tips you can follow to ensure they come out perfectly every time.
Do not overmix the batter. Overmixing can result in tough and dense muffins.
Fill the muffin cups only about 3/4 full to allow room for the muffins to rise.
Use a cookie scoop to transfer the batter to the muffin cups for even portions.
Bake the muffins in the center of the oven for even baking.
Let the muffins cool for 5 minutes in the pan before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Store the muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
Conclusion
The base muffin recipe is a versatile and delicious treat that you can customize to your liking. Whether you prefer blueberry, banana nut, chocolate chip, or apple cinnamon muffins, this recipe serves as a foundation for any flavor you want to create. Follow the tips mentioned above for perfect muffins every time, and enjoy these treats for breakfast, snack, or dessert.
