Home-Steeped Hope

This recipe is quick, versatile and tasty. I love how high the muffins puff up…and they hold their shape, believe me! I was so glad I had grated orange peel on hand, leftover from my homemade orange cappuccino days…yes, I’m still coffee-free!

Muffins

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup milk (I use the equivalent of powdered milk and water)
• 1/3 cup oil (I substitute applesauce)
• 1 egg, beaten

Heat oven to 400 degrees F. Grease bottoms only of 12 muffin cups or line with paper baking cups. In medium bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt; mix well. In small bowl, combine milk, oil and egg; blend well. Add to dry ingredients all at once; stir just until dry ingredients are moistened (batter will be lumpy). Fill greased muffin cups 2/3 full.

Bake at 400 degrees F. for 20-25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 1 minute before removing from pan. Serve warm.

Yield: 12 muffins.

Variations

Apple Muffins

Decrease sugar to 1/4 cup. Add 1 teaspoon cinnamon and 1 cup finely chopped, peeled apple to dry ingredients. Substitute apple juice for milk. Bake at 400 degrees F. for 18-22 minutes.

Blueberry Muffins

Stir 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries (do not thaw) and 1 teaspoon grated lemon or orange peel into dry ingredients.

Chocolate Chip Muffins

Add 3/4 cup miniature chocolate chips to dry ingredients. Sprinkle tops of muffins before baking with a combination of 3 tablespoons sugar and 2 tablespoons brown sugar.

Jam Muffins

Place 1/2 teaspoon any flavor jam on each muffin before baking; press into batter. If desired, sprinkle with finely chopped nuts.

Lemon Muffins

Add 1 tablespoon grated lemon peel to dry ingredients.

Orange Muffins

Add 1 tablespoon grated orange peel to dry ingredients and substitute orange juice for milk.

Streusel-Topped Muffins

In small bowl, blend 1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar, 1 tablespoon margarine or butter, softened, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and 1/4 cup chopped nuts or flaked coconut with fork until crumbly. Sprinkle over muffins before baking.

Sugar-Coated Muffins

Brush tops of hot muffins with 2 tablespoons melted butter; dip in mixture of 1/4 cup sugar and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon.

Whole Wheat Muffins

Use 1 cup all-purpose flour and 1 cup whole-wheat flour.