Tips and tricks for successful muffins!

Posted by: Roberta

March 8th, 2009 >> Muffins

Muffin preparation is very easy and quick. In fact, the key to successful muffins is to mix wet and dry ingredients at the very last minute and to put them in the oven straight away.

BATTER

Generally, the dry ingredients are sifted together in one bowl, and the wet ingredients are stirred together in a separate bowl. (The dry ingredients can be prepare in advance, but wet and dry must not be combined until just before baking, as liquid will activate the raising agent.) The wet mixture is then poured all at one time into the dry and the two are stirred – not beaten- just until combined. This final mixing must be with a spoon, never with a whisk or electric mixer, and should take only about 30 seconds, just until the batter appears evenly mixed but still lumpy.

Over-stirring has a detrimental effect on the flour which will result in a disappointing muffin.

DIMENTIONS

Muffins can have different dimensions – mini-muffins, standard muffins and jumbo muffins – and thus, also different cooking times.

The cooking times in a conventional or gas oven are:

15 minutes for mini-muffins
20-25 minutes for standard muffins
30-35 minutes for jumbo muffins

A standard muffin cup should be about 3 cm deep, so that the muffin can take the right shape. Muffins tins can be lined with paper cases or greased whit butter or margarine.

BAKING

Muffins should be baked in a moderately hot, preheated oven, so 375-400°F (190°-200°C) in a conventional oven. Please note that ovens vary in their temperature distribution and accuracy so you will need to discover what works best with yours.

RISING

The perfect rising will depend on the contents of the batter and how much is put into each muffin cup. Several factors can prevent a muffin from rising properly: low oven temperature, stale rising agent, overly thick batter or thin batter.

STORING

Muffins are at their best when freshly baked and still warm, but they can also be stored in an airtight container and eat within two days. If necessary, they can be even frozen.

Tags: jumbo muffuns, mini-muffins, Muffins