Hey Lykkers! If you've ever baked muffins and ended up with a dry, dense texture, then you're not alone. We've all been there, baking a muffin only to find it more like a brick than a soft, airy treat.
But don't worry—I've got five fantastic tips that will totally change how you make muffins.
These five simple techniques will give you a muffin that's fluffy, moist, and just perfect for your next snack or breakfast. Let's get started!
Tip 1: Use Buttermilk for Softness
One key ingredient that can completely transform the texture of your muffin is buttermilk. Buttermilk, which is the liquid leftover after butter is made from milk, has a slight acidity that reacts with baking soda to help make baked goods fluffier and softer. If you don't have buttermilk on hand, no worries! Just add a teaspoon of lemon juice to your regular milk and let it sit for a few minutes. Voila, you've got a quick and easy substitute for buttermilk.
Tip 2: Combine Baking Powder and Baking Soda
Many of us shy away from using both baking powder and baking soda in the same recipe, but trust me—it's a game-changer. Baking soda alone can leave a slightly bitter taste, but when combined with acidic ingredients like buttermilk, it works wonders to give your muffins that rise we all crave. The key here is balance.
Don't replace all the baking powder with baking soda—use a 3:1 ratio. For example, if a recipe calls for 9g of baking powder, swap out 3g for baking soda. This combo ensures your muffins are light and airy without that harsh aftertaste.
Tip 3: Mix Gently
It's tempting to stir the batter until it's perfectly smooth, but over-mixing is one of the biggest mistakes we can make. When we mix the ingredients too much, we lose that fluffy texture we're after. Instead, mix the dry ingredients first, then add the wet ingredients. Use a gentle folding method and stop once you no longer see any dry flour. The key here is to avoid overmixing, which makes your muffins dense.
Tip 4: Use Both Butter and Oil
Here's a little secret: a combination of butter and oil is what will give your muffins that perfect balance of flavor and moisture. Butter adds richness and flavor, while oil helps keep the muffins moist. The combination of the two results in a muffin that's soft, flavorful, and light. So, don't be afraid to add both into your muffin mix!
Tip 5: Bake at 180°C for 18-20 Minutes
Last but not least, let's talk baking time. Overbaking your muffins can lead to a dry, crumbly texture. The perfect baking time for muffins is 18-20 minutes at 180°C (350°F). Don't go over 20 minutes, or you risk losing that soft, moist texture. Keep an eye on them, and once the tops are golden brown, take them out of the oven!
What You'll Need
Now that we've got the tips down, let's gather the ingredients. Here's what you'll need to make about 9 delicious muffins:
• 160g all-purpose flour
• 55g white sugar (I use less sugar because I add chocolate chips, but feel free to adjust)
• 6g baking powder
• 2g baking soda
• 1g salt
• 120g milk
• 30g butter (melted)
• 20g vegetable oil
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Half a lemon (for lemon juice)
• 125g fresh blueberries (or other berries of your choice)
• 40g baking chocolate chips (optional)
Step-by-Step Guide to Baking
Step 1
Prep Your Ingredients: Start by bringing the milk and egg to room temperature. Melt the butter in the microwave or using a double boiler and set it aside to cool. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
Step 2
Create the Buttermilk: Add a teaspoon of lemon juice to the milk and stir it. Let it sit for a few minutes so the milk curdles, creating a buttermilk substitute.
Step 3
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients: flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Step 4
Mix Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the egg, milk (with lemon juice), vegetable oil, melted butter, and vanilla extract.
Step 5
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gently fold the wet mixture into the dry ingredients using a spatula. Don't over-mix—only mix until you no longer see dry flour.
Step 6
Add Berries and Chocolate Chips: Carefully fold in your blueberries and chocolate chips.
Step 7
Fill Muffin Cups: Divide the batter between 9 muffin cups. Fill each cup about 3/4 full. To make sure the cups can hold the batter, consider using a muffin tray. If you don't have a muffin tray, double up the muffin liners to provide extra support.
Step 8
Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, until the tops are golden brown.
Step 9
Enjoy Your Muffins: Once baked, remove the muffins from the oven and let them cool. When you break them open, you'll see how soft and moist they are on the inside!
Enjoy Your Perfect Muffins!
And there you have it, Lykkers! With these five simple tips, you'll be able to bake the softest, fluffiest muffins ever. These muffins are perfect for breakfast, a quick snack, or even as a special treat for guests. I hope you give this recipe a try and enjoy how easy it is to make the perfect muffins. Let me know how they turn out in the comments below—happy baking!
