Cooking Corner: Everything but the Kitchen Sink Muffins

All that is needed to rectify the horrible situation of waking up minutes just before class is a fast and easy breakfast option. Anything that can be grabbed quickly and munched on during the walk or drive to school will serve hungry students well. What better than a muffin? Muffins are conveniently shaped for holding while walking and they usually are not too crumbly so most of the muffin will make to the mouth. Are some of the ingredients in most muffins not tasty? Do not worry! This is a recipe that can be adjusted to suit each individual person’s tastes, or use whatever happens to be in the kitchen.

Ingredients:
Muffin essentials(These are the ingredients that make a basic plain muffin. Without them, results are unpredictable):
2 cups flour
1 tbs baking powder
1/2 tbsp salt
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 cup sugar (brown or white or powdered or honey)
Cooking spray or muffin liners

Tasty addition ideas (all optional):
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 tbsp vanilla
1 tbsp grapefruit zest
2 tbsp grapefruit juice (or other fruit juice)
½ cup of oats (uncooked oatmeal)
½ cup of butterscotch chips (or chocolate chips)
½ cup of walnuts, chopped (or any other nut that is preferred)
¼ tsp of cloves
¼ tsp of nutmeg
¼ tsp of ginger
¼ tsp chili powder
¼ cup of molasses
1 cup carrot (or other vegetable. Its taste will not be apparent, but it just makes the muffins moist and a little healthier)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Whisk together flour, baking powder, salt and set aside.

3. In a separate bowl, mix together eggs, milk, sugar (or other sweetener), and butter.

4. Pour into dry ingredients and mix until thoroughly combined.

5. Add any additional, optional ingredients and mix thoroughly.

6. Add some more ingredients that are found in the cupboard.

7. Place liners in muffin tins or spray with cooking spray. Scoop batter into muffin tins, filling about 2/3 full.

8. Bake for 15-17 minutes, until toothpick inserted into center of muffin comes out clean.

9. Eat and Enjoy!