muffin
A small, cakelike bread that can be made with a variety of flours and often contains fruits and nuts. Most American-style muffins fall into the quick bread category and are leavened with either baking powder or baking soda. The yeast-raised type, such as the english muffin, is generally finer in texture. These small breads are made in a muffin pan. Muffins can be sweet or savory and, though they were once considered breakfast or tea fare, are now also served with lunch and dinner.
From The Food Lover's Companion, Fourth edition by Sharon Tyler Herbst and Ron Herbst. Copyright © 2007, 2001, 1995, 1990 by Barron's Educational Series, Inc.
Next Up
50 Muffin Recipes
Choose from these fun new ideas and bake a batch for holiday guests.
Great Muffin Makeovers
A grab-and-go favorite, store bought muffins can average 400 to 500 calories each. Instead, make your own healthier version with same delicious ingredients for about half the calories.
Spotlight Recipe: Banana Berry Muffins
Every Sunday, I face the same dilemma: What can I do with all of these over-ripe bananas? Sunday's also the day my daughter and I play around with our latest fascination: baking healthy muffins. Well, this recipe tackled both those conundrums.
Behind the Booklet: 50 Muffins
Try this extra Rumball muffin recipe from Food Network Magazine's 50 muffin insert in the December issue.
11 Holiday Quick Breads and Muffins
There's more to holiday baking than cookies (though we love those too!).
Spotlight Recipes: Healthy,Tasty Muffins
Read about healthy muffin recipes and how to make muffins more nutritious at the same time.
Spotlight Recipe: Chunky Banana Bran Muffins
Straight from the kitchen of the Barefoot Contessa, these muffins are high in fiber but don’t taste like a typical bran muffin. Grab one for a quick breakfast or serve a bunch at your next brunch.
5 Healthy Muffins (Yes, It's Possible!)
Muffins have a bad reputation of being very high in calories, fat and sugar. While many store bought muffins carry a hefty amount of calories- typically around 400 or more each, you can easily fit them into a healthy eating plan.
Spotlight Recipe: Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins
These healthy banana chocolate chip muffins work for breakfast, brunch or dessert. They're easy to make and a healthy way to get your chocolate fix.