4 Steps For Making Delicious Muffins

If your muffins sometimes fall flat or crumble when you butter them, these suggestions will help. TEMPERATURE Before making the dough, be sure all the ingredients are at room temperature. This insures that they are all mixed together evenly. MIXING The number one rule when making muffins is not to over mix the batter, which changes the texture and can keep them from rising to a peak. They are also liable to crumble and get hard. Don't try to get rid of small lumps – they are normal. BAKING Place the rack in the middle of the oven. Be sure to put a small amount of water in any empty cups so the pan doesn't burn and keep the muffins from cooking evenly. Another trick that makes for the best distribution of heat if you are not going to fill them all is to put batter in cups around the edge of the pan and put water in the cups in the middle. I don't know why this makes a difference, but it does seem to work! STORING They will stay fresh at room temperature up to three days, or in the refrigerator for a week, if they are kept in an airtight container. After that they can be frozen for up to three months.