Tabula Rasa (Blank Slate) Muffins

Directions

1. 1
   Preheat oven to 350F.
2. 2
   Prepare 12 standard or 6 jumbo mufffin cups by lightly greasing or with paper liners.
3. 3
   In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon or other spice if using; mix well.
4. 4
   In a separate bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth.
5. 5
   Beat in egg, then milk, then extract; mixture will be slightly lumpy.
6. 6
   Fold in 2 cups of the fruit/nut/chip combination of your choice with a rubber spatula.
7. 7
   Stir the wet ingredients into the dry, being careful not to overmix.
8. 8
   Spoon batter into muffin cups and bake 30-35 minute, turning pan after about 15 minutes to ensure even cooking.
9. 9
   Cool muffins in tins for about 15 minutes before removing to cool completely (they fall apart if you try to remove them while they're still hot!
10. 10
    ).
11. 11
    Eat warm or cool completely then store in an airtight container.
12. 12
    They can also be frozen up to 3 months -- but I can't imagine why they'd last that long:)!
13. 13
    *NOTE: I have subbed up to 3T applesauce or mashed bananas successfully.
14. 14
    **NOTE: I have gotten better results using vegan egg replacer than ommitting egg entirely, but really both are fine.
15. 15
    ***SUGGESTED COMBINATIONS(equaling 2 cups): peach blueberry; mango and banana with rum extract; raspberry ginger; strawberry banana; blackberry nectarine; cherry, white-chocolate chips and almonds with almond extract; pear, ginger and semi-sweet chocolate chips -- the possibilities are endless, these are just the combos I've tried.