Muffin is a bakery product. Muffins are a smaller version of bread and siblings of cookies. They are less sweet when compared with cupcakes. They are so easy that even beginners in baking can cook muffins. There is a variety of muffins from standard muffins to cake-like muffins. They are served in many forms; frozen, warm, cooled, or reheated. Dried fruits, nuts, extracts, spices, oats, and beans are added to give this soft and juicy thing additional flavoring. The cream can also be placed on the top of muffins.
Muffins vs Cupcakes
The frosting is a thing that distinguishes muffins and cupcakes. A cheesy and creamy frosting is used in cupcakes. The muffins on the other hand use sprinkling of nuts, sugar, or chocolate chips.
The flavor of muffins is less sugary as compared with cupcakes. The cupcakes are much sweet like; strawberry cupcakes, vanilla, chocolate chip, and peanut butter. While muffins are savory and sweet; blueberry muffins are sweet and cornbread muffins are savory.
The last thing is texture. The texture of the cupcakes is very soft and juicy. Cupcakes are fluffier. The muffins on the other hand are denser, more like bread.
Types of Muffins
There are two basic types of muffins; standard muffins or bread-like muffins and cake-like muffins.
Bread-Like Muffins
These muffins are less sweet compared to cake-like muffins.
They contain less fat content. The fat is usually in liquid form; oil or butter. The stirring should be normal to prevent the formation of gluten. These muffins are rough from the inside with many irregular pores.
Cake-Like Muffins
These muffins contain high sugar and fats concentration. The stirring is kept continuous till the formation of a creamy texture. These have smaller inside pores. The texture is tender, more like a cake.
Some other types include:
Bran Muffins
In bran muffins, bran is used instead of all-purpose flour. Molasses and brown sugar are added. The ingredient is mixed and placed in molds. Milk is added to give muffins a brown and appealing appearance. Sprinkles, chocolate chips, and nuts are added as toppings.
Read More: Top 10 Best Ingredients For Greens Powders Supplements
Cornbread Muffins
Cornbread muffins are less sugary and satisfying. As well as you can even skip adding sugar if you like savory muffins. They will still taste delicious.
Some other types include banana nut muffins, gluten-free muffins, cornmeal muffins, chocolate chip muffins, vegan muffins, lemon poppy seed muffins, cinnamon oatmeal raisin muffins, double chocolate chip muffins, etc.
Baking of Muffins
Some muffins are made of fruits like blueberries, strawberries, bananas, apples, etc. while others are made using chocolate. Other ingredients used in muffins include nuts and raisins. While making muffins two balls are used one for dry ingredients and the other for wet ingredients. The ingredients like flour, eggs, sugar, and fats are mixed to form a batter. This batter is transferred to baking tins and put the tin in the oven
The baking of muffins itself is a quite understanding process. While baking muffins temperature, moisture, and consistency of the batter are considered.
Texture of Muffins
The final texture of muffins can be bread-like or cake-like. It depends upon the method you use while making muffins. The simple blending and low fats make bread like muffins. As well as, high sugar and fats contents plus creaming batter make cake-like muffins.
Properties of A Good Muffin
Good muffins have moist crumbs with a chewy texture, the surface is rough but symmetrical, irregular inside holes, usually have bell-like or flat tops and when torn apart the texture is tender and uniform.
Uses of Muffins
As a meal: Many people use muffins as a meal. Because Muffins are tasty and healthy. They are not much sugary as cupcakes which makes them hygienic. Muffins can be enjoyed for breakfast or can be eaten as evening snacks.
As gifts: Muffins are a perfect gift to give to friends and loved ones. Because muffins are a delicious way to wish someone a happy birthday or to congratulate someone on their achievement. Muffins are decorated with creams and sprinkles. As well as, you can even gift muffins on many occasions.
In events: Whether it’s a simple event or a wedding event you can present muffins to the guests in a delicious way. Anyone can garnish them according to their tastes and requirements.
Muffins Business
If you are thinking about opening a bakery of muffins, then you are thinking right. Muffins are now becoming everyone’s favorite due to their delicious taste. As mentioned earlier muffins can be used as a meal, gift, or on many occasions.
Muffins, if packed attractively and delivered swiftly to customers can lead your business to success. And you may be interested in knowing how to pack and deliver muffins safely.
Packaging of Muffins
Packaging soft things like muffins require great care and attention. Bakeries want their muffins to be delivered to customers safely. When you visit a bakery you see that muffins and other bakery products are packed in boxes having small transparent windows to get a look at the bakery items. These boxes are called Muffin Boxes. These boxes give a visual display of the boxes from the outside.
In case of special life events, if someone wants to use muffins as a gift, they’ll expect beautiful and eye-catching packaging. Muffin packaging comes with many designs, themes, and colors. One can personalize boxes according to events like Christmas, birthdays, Halloween, Easter, weddings, etc. such type of packaging is secure and delightful enough to satisfy the expectations.