by Paul Linsell

Created on: January 16, 2008

Blueberry, Chocolate Chip, Banana or even Caramel, everyone has their favorite type of muffin and I doubt there is a person alive who would not enjoy every bite of at least one of the almost endless varieties you could make. But best of all muffins are actually quite simple to make whether you are following a standard recipe or using a pre-made mixture. Generally speaking the pre-made mixes are not as good as homemade ones, so the first tip is to get hold of a simple recipe and make your own! Having decided to go it alone you want to ensure your muffins are "perfect" - so here are a few top tips to consider while making them to ensure they are the very best that they can be...

TIP 1: USE QUALITY INGREDIENTS
AS with all cooking the end product will only be as good as the original ingredients. The key to good muffins is good flour so ensure you get a high quality variety. Also, when it comes to the "flavor" ingredients such as chocolate chips or blueberries it is best to stick to high quality produce.

TIP 2: THE MUFFIN TRAY IS CRUCIAL
In order to achieve perfect muffins you will need to use a good quality tray and even if it is of the non-stick variety it should still be oiled slightly to give enhanced flavor and avoid burning and sticking. Another top tip with the muffin tray is that the bigger the tray the longer the muffins will need to cook - so if the recipe suggests using a smaller tray then adjust cooking times appropriately.

TIP 3: FOLD DON'T MIX
When preparing the mixture for your muffins you must be careful not to over mix the ingredients as this will lose air and create a heavier muffin that will not taste as good as a lighter, fluffy one. Simply fold the ingredients together and mix lightly - they should be just mixed well enough that the mixture will be even, no more!

TIP 4: EAT THEM FAST
Ok so you don't actually have to eat them straight away - but it is a good idea to remove your muffins from the tray as soon as you take them out of the oven (being careful not to burn yourself though!). If you leave the muffins in the tray too long then they are likely to start to go soggy through the condensation of the heat in the tray. The best bet is to place them on a cake rack to cool off, or better yet eat them while they are warm!

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