The name muffin is given to two distinct foodstuffs.

The first is a small, sweet, cake-like baked good, commonly eaten for breakfast, made from a variety of different batters, usually raised with baking powder. They are often flavoured with things such as chocolate chips or fruit pieces.

The other is a thick, flat, yeast-levened bun, typically about eight centimetres in diameter. This muffin is usually split into two, toasted and buttered, and bears resemblance to the crumpet. In American English this is also known as an English muffin.

Orange Choc-Chip Muffins

• 400g self-raising flour
• 60g butter
• 120g sugar
• 12cL cup milk choc. bits
• 12cL cup white choc. bits
• 2 eggs, beaten lightly
• 12cL cup milk
• 12cL cup orange juice
• 15mL orange rind

Preheat oven to 220ºC. Sift flour onto bowl, rub in butter. Add sugar, milk choc. bits and white choc. bits, eggs, milk, orange juice and orange rind. Mix well. Spoon heaped tablespoons of mixture into greased muffin pans. Bake for 15-20 minutes until cooked when tasted. Makes 12.

See also

• Blueberry muffin

State Muffins

Several states have a state muffin:

• Minnesota- blueberry muffin
• Massachusetts- corn muffin
• New York- apple muffin