Basic Muffin Batter (And Variations)

Directions

1. 1
   Get out the additional ingredients for the variation you have chosen.
2. 2
   Heat oven to 375°F; grease 12 regular or 24 mini-muffin cups.
3. 3
   In a large bowl with an electric mixer, beat butter, sugar, baking powder and salt until pale and fluffy.
4. 4
   Beat in eggs.
5. 5
   Gently stir (fold) flour in alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour until well blended.
6. 6
   Follow the directions for the variation you've chosen and divide the batter among the muffin cups.
7. 7
   Bake 17 to 20 minutes for regular size, or 14 to 16 minute for mini muffins, until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
8. 8
   Cool in pan for 5 minutes, then remove and cool completely on wire rack.
9. 9
   CHOCOLATE CINNAMON**:
10. 10
    Add 1 teaspoons cinnamon to flour in Basic Batter. Stir in 1 cup melted semi- sweet chocolate chips after flour. Divide among muffin cups.
11. 11
    Cut up 4 ounces light cream cheese and press into batter. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons sugar mixed with 1/2 teaspoons Cinnamon. Bake as above.
12. 12
    APPLE ALMOND:
13. 13
    Crumble 1 can (8 oz.) or 1 roll (7 oz.) almond paste on top of Basic Batter and stir in with 1 cup chopped apple. Divide among muffin cups and top each with 2 thin slices apple (or 1 slice halves for minis).
14. 14
    Bake as above. Brush tops with 2 tablespoons warmed honey.
15. 15
    PUMPKIN STRUESEL:**.
16. 16
    Mix 2/3 cup solid-pack pumpkin, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons molasses, and 1 teaspoons pumpkin-pie spice into Basic Batter. Divide among muffin cups. Top with crumbly mix of 3 tablespoons cold butter, 1/3 cup flour, 3 tablespoons brown sugar and 1/3 cup chopped pecans. Bake as above.
17. 17
    CRANBERRY UPSIDE DOWN**:
18. 18
    Thoroughly grease muffin cups (do not line). Mix 3/4 cup whole-berry cranberry sauce, 1/4 cup chopped pecans, 2 tablespoons sugar and 1/4 teaspoons nutmeg.
19. 19
    Divide among muffin cups. Press 1 pecan half into center. Spread Basic Batter gently over cranberries. Bake as above. Cool in pan 15 minutes.
20. 20
    CRANBERRY:**.
21. 21
    Mix 3/4 cup whole-berry cranberry sauce, 1/4 cup chopped pecans, 2 tablespoons sugar and 3/4 teaspoons nutmeg into Basic Batter. Bake as above.
22. 22
    SPICY MINCEMEAT:
23. 23
    Stir 1 cup mincemeat and 1/4 teaspoons Allspice into Basic Batter. Divide among muffin cups. Bake as above.