Muffins
I love muffins. There is nothing better than waking up on a lazy Sunday morning and deciding to bake them for my still-slumbering sweetie. As much as I don't mind long and complicated recipes, I like my muffins to be simple. And as much as I like to try new flavor combos, I like my muffins to be blueberry. It's the kind of baked good that you don't want to fuss over after just rolling out of bed. Minimal directions and minimal ingredients are best.
These were mixed and baked in no time this morning. We enjoyed them while sitting at our dining room table in front of our new, spotless replacement windows, watching the rain melt the sizable piles of snow into slightly less intimidating piles and deeming our road drivable again. Even clean-up was minimal; I used one bowl, a few measuring cups, one muffin pan, and the teaspoon and half teaspoon measuring spoons. So easy. Because I'm all for spreading the gospel of the underappreciated muffin, I'm even giving you the recipe below. Don't go out for brunch next weekend. Stay in, make these and a big pot of coffee or tea, and eat a gourmet breakfast in your pajamas.
Fruit Muffins (adapted from Yankee Magazine's Blueberry Muffins, though this is a good, generic base for any fruit muffins)
1 3/4 c. flour (I use a mix of whole wheat, all-purpose, and white whole wheat)
1/4 c. sugar
2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 egg, beaten
1/2 c. milk or buttermilk
1/3 c. oil (neutral is best: canola and safflower are good choices)
1 c. fresh or frozen berries
opt. add-ins - flax seeds, nuts, etc.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Sift together all dry ingredients in a large bowl and then make a well in the center. Mix berries with a tablespoon of dry mix in a separate bowl. Whisk together the wet ingredients and pour them into the well. Stir briefly just to mix. Add berries and fold them in. Fill muffin tins 2/3rds full. Sprinkle with sugar for crunchy tops (I like cinnamon sugar). Bake 20 - 25 minutes. Immediately remove muffins from the pan and let them cool for as long as you can stand it. Makes about 9.
Posted on Sun, March 6, 2011
by emilygold