A muffin is a type of semi-sweet cake or quick bread that is baked in portions appropriate for one person. They are similar to cupcakes, although they are usually less sweet and lack icing. Savory varieties, such as cornbread muffins or cheese muffins also exist.
The term also refers to a disk-shaped muffin bread, called an English muffin outside the United Kingdom. As American-style muffins are also available in Commonwealth countries, the term muffin can refer to either product, with the context usually making clear which is meant.
There are many varieties of muffins made with a specific ingredient such as blueberries, poppy seeds, raspberry, cinnamon, pumpkin, date, nut, lemon, banana, orange, peach, strawberry, etc. baked into the muffin. Muffins are often eaten for breakfast; alternatively, they may be served for tea or at other meals.
Recipes for muffins, in their yeast-free “American” form, are common in 19th-century American cookbooks. Recipes for yeast-based muffins, also known as “common muffins” or “wheat muffins” can be found in much older cookbooks. In her Boston Cooking-School Cook Book, Fannie Farmer gave recipes for both types of muffins, both those that used yeast to raise the dough and those that used a quick bread method.
Chocolate Chip Espresso Muffins
Ingredients:
- ⅔ cup Milk
- 5 tablespoons Butter, melted
- 3 teaspoons of espresso powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons Vanilla extract
- 1 large Egg
- 2 cups all-purpose Flour
- ⅔ cup Sugar
- ½ cup semi-sweet Chocolate chips
- 2 teaspoons Baking Powder
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
In medium bowl, mix together the milk, butter, espresso powder, vanilla and egg.
In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, chocolate chips, baking powder and salt. Make a well in the center of flour mixture and add the milk mixture. Stir just until combined – do not overmix!
Spray a 12 cup muffin pan with a non stick spray or line with muffin liners. Divide batter evenly among sprayed or lined cups. Bake at 400 degrees for 18 minutes or until golden brown. Remove muffins from pan immediately and place on a wire rack to cool slightly before serving.
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