Customer Reviews

Mostly Muffins: Quick and Easy Recipes for Over 75 Delicious Muffins and Spreads

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

You can count on all the recipes in this book being tried and true. My copy is held together by a rubber band because I use it so much. The corn muffin recipe makes the best I've ever had (I add just a little extra sugar, and sometimes use buttermilk) and the cappuccino chip muffins are fantastic (try adding toffee chips). Be sure to try the new "More Muffins" as well as the other books in the series -- Totally Teabreads, Simply Scones, etc. All are reliable.

Many people I know turn out some tasty meals in the kitchen, but shudder with dread when the subject of baking is introduced. Muffins are a perfect way to overcome the fear of tackling baked goods and this little book makes an excellent guide.

The recipes are organized by category -- sweet or savory -- with subdivisions in sweet such as fresh fruit/vegetable, dried fruit/nut, and grain. In addition there is a short section of recipes for spreads to accompany the muffins.

Most of the recipes are simple and can be made -- from the mixing of dry and wet ingredients to the completion of baking -- in under an hour. Basic equipment such as measuring spoons and cups, mixing bowls, and muffin pans are all you need for the majority of recipes. Only a few recipes (mostly spreads) require a mixer or food processor. The basic technique, as explained by the authors, is to mix the wet and dry ingredients in separate bowls, make a well in the dry, and stir the wet into the dry. They emphasize that you should not over mix the ingredients for the best results.

The recipes are very forgiving. When I went to make my first batch -- Apple Bran Muffins -- I was unable to obtain two ingredients listed in the recipe: plain yogurt (if you can believe that) and bran morsels. No problem. Since vanilla was used in the recipe, I simply purchased vanilla yogurt and substituted rolled oats for the bran. They turned out delicious even though I had to substitute one of the key ingredients. Also in this particular recipe, you can increase the dark brown sugar from 1/3 cup to 1/2 cup for a slightly sweeter muffin without a problem.

In addition to the Apple Bran, I can recommend the Ginger Pear, Hazelnut, Maple Walnut, and Cappuccino Chip muffins from the sweet category. From the savory recipes try the Ham and Cheese or Sausage and Apple muffins. If you are fond of Boursin cheese with herbs, you will love the Boursin cheese muffins. They are perfect as an hors d'oeuvre or with a crisp green salad.

As a great way to starting baking in general and muffins in particular, I give this book a five-star recommendation.

My mother gave me this book as a gift several years ago, and I just recently dug it out when I quit working full-time to be home with my kids. Wow! Am I sorry I just let it sit on the shelf all these years! I have tried at least a dozen of the recipes so far, and haven't had a bad one yet. Some of my family's favorites are Potato Dill Muffins, Poundcake Muffins, and good old Blueberry Muffins. My only complaint is a few of the recipes include expensive ingredients that don't really fit with my newly adopted frugal lifestyle, but as someone else mentioned, they give you the expertise to adjust the recipes to your own taste. This book is now a daily reference book in my kitchen, and I don't think you can beat it for the price!

I have a lot of cookbooks on my shelf, but this tiny volume is one of my favorites and packs a lot of punch for its size. I have made the blueberry and banana muffins. Both were excellent. The value of this book is outstanding.

This book is stained and dog-eared because I have used it so many times to make these delicious muffins. The banana, carrot cake, blueberry, gingerbread, and oat bran muffins are some of my favorites. Each week I make at least one of the muffin recipes from this book!

There is no waste in this little book. The general information on muffin baking is precise and informative. The recipes are unique, but not off the wall--in contrast to most one-item cookbooks, every one of them is appealing. Definitely try the Pumpernickel Raisin Muffins. They are a great breakfast treat. This is definitely the one book to have on this subject. Also try Totally Teabreads by the same authors for the same consistent excellence. Can't praise them enough!!

This is the ultimate primer for muffins. Not only do they have good recipes, but they also give you basic muffin recipes so that you can create your own muffins.

I have this cookbook, and every recipe I've tried has been a big hit with tasters. The muffins are easy to make, the recipes are nicely varied, and the ingredients are seldom something I do not have in my kitchen, or cannot obtain easily. I have about 4-5 different muffin cookbooks, and this is the only one I use regularly. My family's favorites are the blueberry muffins and the chocolate chip muffins. This is a great book for someone who likes having muffins around, needs to whip something up fast for a bakesale, needs something tasty for tea with friends, or to wants to celebrate a special event with his or her co-workers. Every muffin lover should have it!

I have a "First Edition" copy of Mostly Muffins and it is falling apart from frequent use. Now I am purchasing a new copy for myself and another copy for my daughter. The recipes in Mostly Muffins have held up to the test of time as I continue to return to this special little book for my baking. My guests rave about my muffins -- all baked out of this book. Highly recommended for beginners and experienced cooks.

My favorite muffin cookbook. I've made most of the recipes and haven't found any that we don't like. The authors even give helps for creating your own recipes. I always go back to this cook book.