Muffins used to be a healthy breakfast option, but in recent years they have become jumbo sources of fats and sugar. There’s no reason why a medium muffin shouldn’t be a reliable breakfast staple. Here’s a basic recipe that’s relatively low in butter and sugar but still completely satisfying. Once you master (and memorize) the basic formula, you can create anything you desire. Six variations follow. Rather than reduce the oven temperature here, I prefer to keep it the same as in the conventional oven, but reduce the baking time so you can bake them even on a workday morning.
Recipe information
Yield
makes 12 muffins
Ingredients
2
1
1
1
6
1
1
Need to make a substitution?
Preparation
Step 1
Position the oven racks so that they are evenly spaced. Preheat the oven to convection bake at 400°F. Grease 12 medium muffin cups or line with paper cupcake liners. If you use the cupcake liners, coat them with nonstick spray for easy removal of the muffins.
Step 2
In a large bowl, mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the butter, egg, and milk. Stir with a fork just until the ingredients are blended. (Overmixing will make the muffins bake into peaks with “tunnels” going from top to bottom.)
Step 3
Fill the muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake in the center of the oven for 15 to 18 minutes or until golden and a wooden skewer inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. Serve hot.
Whole Wheat Muffins
Step 4
Substitute 1 cup whole wheat flour for 1 cup all-purpose flour and substitute 1/3 cup honey for the sugar.
Sour Cream Muffins
Step 5
Use only 2 teaspoons baking powder and add 1/2 teaspoon baking soda. Substitute dairy sour cream for the milk, mixed with 2 eggs instead of one.
Blueberry Muffins
Step 6
Increase the sugar to 1/2 cup. When all the ingredients are blended, carefully fold in 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
Honey Orange Muffins
Step 7
Use 2 eggs. In the bottom of each muffin cup, place 1 teaspoon honey and 1 thin slice unpeeled orange cut into quarters. Spoon the batter on top.
Apple Muffins
Step 8
Increase the sugar to 1/2 cup. Add 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon to the flour mixture. Add 1 cup shredded raw tart apple along with the butter. Sprinkle the tops with a mixture of 1/3 cup packed brown sugar, 1/3 cup chopped walnuts, and 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon.
Date and Nut Muffins
Step 9
Add 1 cup each finely chopped dates and finely chopped walnuts or pecans to the flour mixture before adding the liquid.