Basic Muffin Recipe

Can you use a basic muffin recipe? When my girls were little, we made homemade muffins a lot. I bet you can picture warm muffins sitting on the kitchen countertop and waiting for our little ones to eat one for breakfast with some scrambled eggs.

The things I love about a good muffin recipe are how quickly we can make them and that we can change the ingredients to make a different flavor almost every day of the week. This basic muffin recipe makes a moist and chewy muffin with a little crunch on top.

My friend, JoAnn, told me about coarse sugar, and that day my baking life changed forever! Oh my gosh, how did I not know about that coarse sugar crunch before? One day she delivered some banana muffins with some darling cupcake holders and the muffin tops were sprinkled with that special coarse sugar topping. In case you missed this post, The Best Banana Bread & Muffins They looked like muffins from a restaurant!

Four steps to making really good muffins:

• Mix the dry ingredients together
• Mix the wet ingredients together
• Combine the dry and wet ingredients
• Bake immediately

Items you May Need in The Kitchen:

• Mixing Bowls
• Whisk
• Measuring Cups
• Measuring Spoons
• Muffin Tin
• Cupcake Holders or Simple Cupcake Papers
• Coarse Sugar In The Raw

Basic Muffin Recipe

Step One: Gather Ingredients

Gather your ingredients before starting the recipe.

Step Two: Preheat Oven – Combine Ingredients

Preheat your oven to (350°F) = (176°C). Grease a 12-cup muffin tin or line the cups with paper liners. Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Set the bowl aside.

Step Three: Combine Liquids

Now, combine the liquids, milk, eggs, oil, and butter and stir until smooth.

Step Four: Mix Wet & Dry Ingredients

Grab a larger bowl and mix the wet and dry ingredients together. Use a spatula or whisk to mix them ever so softly. Not too much, just enough. Don’t overmix the batter.

Step Five: Scoop Batter Into Cups

Scoop the batter evenly into the muffin cups. Sprinkle the tops with coarse sugar, you will love the look and the taste.

Finished Product

Bake for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool the muffins on a cooling rack.

Basic Muffin Recipe

How do I store these after I bake them?

You can store these in a plastic bag on the kitchen countertop or in an airtight Tupperware-type container. They’ll stay fresh for 1-2 days. If you want to stretch the time, place them in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Can I freeze them after baking them?

Wrap them tightly with plastic wrap and place them inside a freezer bag for 2-3 months.

Can I add some nuts to the recipe?

Yes, you can, nuts are one of my favorite things to add to these.

Why are my muffins flat on the top?

This is pretty common if your baking powder is not tightly sealed or it’s past the peak of leavening time. When in doubt, throw it out and buy a new can.

Why are my muffins so dry?

You may have baked them longer than the suggested time of 20 minutes. Each oven tends to heat and cook differently.

Why is the center of my muffin unbaked?

Either the muffin tin was over-filled or the muffins were underbaked. As mentioned above, ovens heat and cook differently.

What is the secret to making moist muffins?

If you use oil and butter, it will make all the difference in your muffins. Also, don’t mix more than 10 -12 times with a spoon. Less mixing is best. Don’t bake longer than 20 minutes or they will dry out, unless your oven tends to require longer baking times based on past experience.

What is the best temperature to bake muffins?

The best temperature is (350°F) = (176°C), you’ll be happy with the results.

What is the best flour for making muffins?

Most professional bakers will suggest using cake flour, (it has a lower protein content, 5-8 percent). I only stock bread flour so that’s what I use with all my bread and pastries, and it works great for me.

Do I need to sift the flour?

Call me lazy, but I never sift anything. They turn out great every time. I think using the bread flour helps.

What can I add to this muffin recipe?

Some suggested add ons are: Grated zest of orange with 1/4 cup chopped dried cranberries, 1/4 cup of blueberries, chopped, 1/4 cup of grated carrots, 1/4 grated zucchini and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, or 1/4 cup mashed banana. Don’t be afraid to change up the recipe.

As mentioned above, nuts are a great addition too. Don’t be afraid to try all sorts of different fruits, particularly berries. I also think putting different toppings makes them very flavorful and fun. Even if you use different kinds of jams it can work out well.

What can I serve with a muffin?

• Scrambled Eggs
• Eggs Benedict
• Quiche
• Sunny-Side Up Eggs
• Coffee
• Tea
• Hot Chocolate
• Orange Juice

Final Word

I hope you try making my basic muffin recipe. Let me know if you do, I love to hear from you. What is your favorite thing to add to your homemade muffins? Please keep teaching your kids and grandkids to cook from scratch, we must. May God Bless this world, Linda