Muffins are a delicious baked good that can often dry out quickly. There are several tips and tricks you can use to keep your muffins moist and delicious for days after baking them.
Use an Appropriate Recipe
The recipe you choose will have a big impact on the moisture of your baked muffins. Some key things to look for in a muffin recipe for moist muffins include:
- A higher fat content – Fat helps retain moisture in baked goods. Look for a muffin recipe that calls for oil or butter rather than trying to make low-fat muffins.
- Fresh, moist ingredients – Ingredients like ripe bananas, yogurt, and apple sauce contribute moisture.
- Minimal mixing – Overmixing develops gluten which can make muffins tough and dry. Mix wet and dry ingredients gently just until combined.
- Streusel or crumb topping – This adds moisture and flavor.
Measure Accurately
Baking is a science and improper measuring can throw off the moisture of the final product. When making muffins:
- Use proper measuring cups and spoons. Don’t just eyeball it.
- Spoon flour into measuring cups and level off the top. Don’t scoop flour right out of the bag.
- Brown sugar should be packed tightly into the cup.
- Stick to the recipe, don’t double or halve it.
Grease the Muffin Tins
Greasing your muffin cups helps prevent the muffins from sticking as they bake which can tear the muffins and cause them to dry out. You can grease tins with:
- Butter
- Oil
- Non-stick baking spray
- Paper liners – These make it easy to remove muffins from the pan.
Fill the Cups Appropriately
Overfilling or underfilling muffin cups can lead to problems:
- Underfilled cups can cause muffins to cook unevenly and dry out.
- Overfilled cups cause the batter to mushroom over the top as it bakes which dries it out.
For standard size muffin tins, fill cups about 2/3 to 3/4 full with batter. Use an ice cream scoop for quick, even filling.
Bake at the Right Temperature
Baking at too high of a temperature can quickly dry your muffins out. Most recipes call for baking at 375°F to 400°F. Lower temperatures in this range help keep muffins moist. Bake just until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 18-22 minutes.
Let Muffins Cool Completely Before Removing
It’s tempting to remove piping hot muffins right out of the oven but allowing them to cool completely in the pan first helps lock in moisture. Cool for at least 15 minutes before carefully running a knife around the edges and removing the muffins from the pan.
Store Properly
Once completely cooled, muffins should be stored properly to maintain freshness. Some storage tips include:
- Store in an airtight container or zip top bag.
- Wrapping individually in plastic wrap can help.
- Put a slice of bread in the container to keep muffins moist.
- Refrigerate for up to 5 days.
- Freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheating Muffins
For reheating refrigerated muffins:
- Wrap in a damp paper towel and microwave 10-15 seconds.
- Low oven (300°F) for 3-5 minutes.
For frozen muffins, thaw overnight in fridge before reheating. Microwave may cause uneven heating.
Troubleshooting Dry Muffins
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Cracked, uneven tops | Overmixed batter or overfilled tins |
| Muffins stick to the liners | Cool completely before removing, grease liners |
| Muffins are dry and crumbly | Add more liquid to batter, don’t overbake |
| Muffins shrink and sink | Underfilled tins, underbaked |
Moist Muffin Flavor Ideas
Some flavors that make delightfully moist muffins include:
- Banana – Very moist from ripe bananas
- Applesauce or pumpkin – Packed with moisture
- Blueberry or raspberry – Fresh berries add juice
- Carrot – Grated carrots and oil keep these moist
- Corn – The corn itself lends a tender, moist texture
- Coffee cake – Sour cream helps keep these moist
Moist Muffin Add-Ins
Mix in any of these for extra moisture:
- Yogurt
- Sour cream
- Applesauce
- Pureed fruit
- Vegetable or fruit juices
- Buttermilk
- Molasses or honey
- Chopped fresh fruit
Conclusion
Following proper recipe techniques like choosing the right ingredients, proper mixing and baking, and proper storage are key to keeping your homemade muffins moist and delicious. Greasing pans, cooling completely, and appropriate reheating also help lock in moisture. With the right techniques, you’ll be enjoying tender, mouthwatering muffins for days after baking.