If you’re searching for the kind of baked treat that checks all the boxes—quick, reliable, and wonderfully delicious—look no further than this Deliciously Simple Muffin recipe. Moist and fluffy with a beautifully golden top, these muffins harness pantry staples and minimal fuss to deliver a breakfast (or anytime snack) you’ll want to make again and again. Each bite offers that cozy, home-baked comfort, and the luminous vanilla aroma will have your kitchen smelling like a bakery in minutes. There’s a reason the Deliciously Simple Muffin is a classic you’ll crave!
Ingredients You’ll Need

Ingredients You’ll Need
The best part about these muffins is how effortlessly all the ingredients come together. Each one plays a special role—lending rich flavor, tender texture, or that perfectly domed, golden muffin top we all adore. Here’s what you’ll need and why you’ll love every element of this recipe:
- All-purpose flour: Provides the structure, giving muffins their sturdy, yet light crumb.
- Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps the tops caramelize ever so slightly.
- Baking powder: The magical leavening agent that ensures your muffins rise up tall and fluffy.
- Salt: Enhances every flavor note and keeps the sweetness in check.
- Milk: Brings moisture for that irresistible, tender bite—dairy or plant-based both work!
- Vegetable oil or melted butter: Makes the crumb soft and rich; melted butter yields a bit more flavor, but oil keeps them most tender.
- Vanilla extract: Infuses the batter with sweet, aromatic depth—key for the Deliciously Simple Muffin signature scent!
- Large egg: Binds everything together and adds richness for the perfect muffin texture.
How to Make Deliciously Simple Muffin
Step 1: Prep Your Muffin Tin and Oven
To kick things off, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This temperature helps develop a golden, gently crisp muffin top. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or lightly grease each cup with butter or nonstick spray. Having your tray ready before mixing avoids any last-minute scramble and keeps your leavening working its magic.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
Grab a large mixing bowl and whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Ensuring these are well blended prevents any uneven pockets of leavening or salt and sets you up for muffins with a consistent crumb and even sweetness.
Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients
In a separate medium bowl, whisk the milk, vegetable oil (or melted butter), vanilla extract, and the egg. Whisk until everything’s smooth and a bit frothy—the air you add here leads to wonderfully fluffy muffins.
Step 4: Bring It All Together
Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl of dry ingredients. Using a spatula or large spoon, gently fold the mixtures together just until combined. Don’t worry if you spy a few small streaks of flour; overmixing is the enemy of tender muffins. For a Deliciously Simple Muffin that’s soft and airy, stop as soon as it’s mostly blended.
Step 5: Fill and Bake
Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds of the way. For a bakery-style touch, sprinkle a pinch of coarse sugar over the tops before they go in the oven. Slide the tin into the center rack and bake for 18–20 minutes, until the muffins are golden and a toothpick poked in the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
Step 6: Cool and Enjoy
Let your muffins cool in the tin for about five minutes so they set up and are easy to remove. Then transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely, though I won’t tell if you dive right in while they’re still a bit warm!
How to Serve Deliciously Simple Muffin
Garnishes
A little flourish can turn the Deliciously Simple Muffin into a bakery-style treat. Try brushing the tops with a bit of melted butter and dusting them with cinnamon-sugar, or add a dollop of fruit preserves or lemon curd just before serving for a pop of color and flavor.
Side Dishes
Pair your muffins with a creamy Greek yogurt parfait or a fresh fruit salad to create a complete breakfast or brunch feast. If you’re serving these for an afternoon snack, a cup of tea, coffee, or even a refreshing iced latte will make the experience feel extra special.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange muffins on a tiered cake stand for a charming brunch display or tuck them into decorative parchment for a picnic basket treat. You can also halve the Deliciously Simple Muffin horizontally, spread with honey butter or nut butter, and sandwich with sliced fruit for a fun twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Deliciously Simple Muffin in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. Pop a piece of paper towel in the container to absorb excess moisture and keep the texture just right.
Freezing
For longer storage, wrap each muffin individually in plastic wrap, then tuck them all into a freezer-safe bag. They’ll keep their freshness for up to two months—just label with the date so you can enjoy a Deliciously Simple Muffin whenever the craving strikes!
Reheating
To refresh muffins, simply microwave for about 10–15 seconds if thawed (or 20–30 seconds if frozen). You can also reheat a batch in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 10 minutes to restore that warm, just-baked feel.
FAQs
Can I add fruit, nuts, or chocolate chips to this Deliciously Simple Muffin recipe?
Absolutely! Stir in up to 1 cup of add-ins like blueberries, raspberries, mini chocolate chips, or chopped walnuts after combining the wet and dry ingredients. These mix-ins make every bite a new adventure.
What’s the best way to ensure my muffins stay moist?
Be careful not to overmix the batter—mix just until you no longer see dry streaks. Also, don’t overbake; check for doneness starting at 18 minutes since even an extra minute or two can make a difference.
Can I use whole wheat or gluten-free flour instead of all-purpose?
You can swap up to half the flour for whole wheat to add some heartiness without making the muffins too dense. For a gluten-free version, use a 1:1 baking blend designed to substitute for all-purpose flour.
How do I get a taller muffin top?
Filling each muffin cup only about two-thirds full gives room for the batter to dome. Also, starting at a slightly higher initial oven temperature (like 400°F for the first five minutes, then reducing to 375°F) can encourage more lift.
Can I double this Deliciously Simple Muffin recipe?
Absolutely! It doubles easily—just be sure to use a large enough bowl and bake in two batches or use two muffin tins so each muffin bakes evenly and rises beautifully.
Final Thoughts
I truly hope you’ll treat yourself and your loved ones to a batch of this Deliciously Simple Muffin recipe soon. There’s so much joy in pulling warm, golden muffins from the oven, especially when the process is this easy and the results are so scrumptious. Happy baking!
Print
Deliciously Simple Muffin Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 muffins
- Category: Breakfast, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Deliciously Simple Muffins are a perfect treat for breakfast or snack time. Easy to make and customizable with your favorite mix-ins, they are sure to become a family favorite!
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup milk
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil or melted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and prepare the muffin tin.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Combine wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk milk, oil, vanilla extract, and egg.
- Combine wet and dry: Pour wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Fill muffin cups: Divide batter evenly among the muffin cups.
- Bake: Bake for 18–20 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool and serve: Let muffins cool before serving.
Notes
- Add 1 cup of mix-ins like blueberries, chocolate chips, or chopped nuts to customize.
- For a sweeter muffin top, sprinkle with coarse sugar before baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 muffin
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 20mg