Are you craving a warm, fluffy muffin that’s bursting with vanilla flavor? Look no further! This recipe delivers the perfect vanilla muffin – simple enough for a weeknight treat, yet impressive enough for a weekend brunch. Forget those dry, crumbly muffins from the bakery; this homemade version is moist, tender, and incredibly delicious. It's one of the best recipes for easy baking, perfect for both beginner bakers and seasoned pros. This recipe provides a delicious and healthy meal, making it a great quick dinner idea or a satisfying snack.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup milk
Instructions:
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Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease it well. This simple step ensures your muffins bake evenly and release easily.
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Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This thorough mixing ensures that the leavening agents are evenly distributed for perfectly fluffy muffins.
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Cream Butter & Sugar: In a separate bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Use an electric mixer for best results, but a good old-fashioned whisk will work too! This process incorporates air, leading to a lighter muffin texture.
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Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract. Gradually add the milk, mixing until just combined. Don't overmix the batter; a few lumps are okay. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, leading to tough muffins.
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Combine: Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until just combined. Again, resist the urge to overmix.
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Fill Muffin Cups: Fill each muffin cup about ¾ full. This prevents overflow during baking.
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Bake: Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Oven temperatures can vary, so keep a close eye on them.
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Cool: Let the muffins cool in the tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips for the Best Vanilla Muffins:
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Using room temperature butter and eggs helps them emulsify better, resulting in a smoother batter.
- Don't Overmix: Overmixing develops gluten, resulting in tough muffins. Mix until just combined.
- Fresh Baking Powder: Ensure your baking powder is fresh. Old baking powder can result in flat muffins.
Variations:
- Lemon Vanilla Muffins: Add the zest of one lemon to the batter.
- Blueberry Vanilla Muffins: Fold in 1 cup of fresh or frozen blueberries.
- Chocolate Chip Vanilla Muffins: Stir in ½ cup of chocolate chips.
Nutritional Information (per muffin, approximate):
- Calories: Approximately 250
- Fat: 12g
- Protein: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Sugar: 15g
This recipe is a fantastic addition to your collection of easy recipes and healthy meals. These delicious dishes are perfect for any occasion and are sure to become a family favorite. Enjoy your homemade vanilla muffins! They're the perfect homemade cooking project for both seasoned bakers and those just starting out on their culinary journey. These are truly some of the best recipes you'll find.