Mmmmm...muffins & More

BASIC MUFFINS

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 4 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 cup low-fat milk
• 1 egg

Directions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 400F and grease or line your muffin cups (12) - see not in recipe description.

2. 2

   Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a mixing bowl.

3. 3

   Mix together the milk, egg and melted butter and then stir into the flour mixture until combined but still a bit lumpy - do not overmix - just 15-20 seconds.

4. 4

   Evenly distribute between the 12 muffin cups.

5. 5

   Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

6. 6

   Let stand for 10-15 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

7. 7

   VARIATIONS:.

8. 8

   Blueberry-Lemon Muffins~~Increase the sugar to 1/3 c and grate the zest of 1 lemon into the flour mixture. Add 1 cup blueberries with the milk mixture. Bake for 25-30 minutes.

9. 9

   Chocolate Chip Muffins~~Use light-brown sugar rather than granulated and add 1/2 cup chocolate chips to the flour mixture. Add 1 tsp vanilla extract with the milk mixture. Bake for 20-25 minutes.

10. 10

    Cinnamon-Oatmeal Muffins~~Decrease the flour to 1 1/4 cups. Increase the sugar to 1/4 cup and add 1 cup quick cooking rolled oats, 1/2 tsp cinnamon and 1/2 c raisins to the flour. Bake as directed for 20-25 minutes.