Homemade muffins are a versatile and delightful treat that can be enjoyed for breakfast, as a snack, or even dessert. Here’s a simple recipe for making classic homemade muffins:
### Basic Muffin Recipe
#### Ingredients:
- **Dry Ingredients:**
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- **Wet Ingredients:**
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil (or melted butter)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
#### Optional Add-ins:
- 1 cup fresh or frozen berries (blueberries, raspberries, etc.)
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
### Instructions:
1. **Preheat the Oven:**
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease the cups with non-stick cooking spray.
2. **Prepare the Dry Ingredients:**
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- If using cinnamon or other dry spices, add them now.
3. **Prepare the Wet Ingredients:**
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until well combined.
4. **Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:**
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.
- Stir gently until just combined; the batter should be lumpy. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in tough muffins.
5. **Add Optional Add-ins:**
- Gently fold in any optional add-ins, such as berries, chocolate chips, or nuts.
6. **Fill the Muffin Tin:**
- Divide the batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups, filling each about 2/3 full.
7. **Bake the Muffins:**
- Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
- If you’re making larger muffins, you may need to bake for an additional 2-3 minutes.
8. **Cool and Enjoy:**
- Allow the muffins to cool in the tin for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
### Tips:
- For extra flavor, sprinkle a little sugar on top of the muffins before baking for a crunchy topping.
- You can store muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze them for longer storage.
Enjoy your homemade muffins with a cup of coffee or tea!
