fandomhigh | Anyone Can Cook | Period 4

"Bonjour, class," Colette said easily from behind a table heaped baking supplies and a display of different kinds of muffins. She seemed sunny today -- possibly because she'd been indulging in her own baked goods for a while.

"Today we will learn to bake one of the simplest quickbreads, the muffin. Muffins are small, usually sweet, cakelike breads often made with fruit or nuts. They are incredibly easy to improvise."

As she spoke, she started measuring things into a bowl. "A basic recipe for muffins is -- in American measurements -- 2 cups flour, 2 to 4 tablespoons sugar, 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 egg, 1/4 cup oil, shortening or butter, 1 cup milk, and then half a cup or so of flavoring, whether that is chocolate chips or grated apple or cheese. You can also switch some of the flour for oatmeal or cornmeal for a different flavor."

"The nicest thing about muffins is that they come together very quickly, so you may have warm, fresh muffins for breakfas almost as fast as you can make pancakes."

"I have copies of a muffin cookbook, if you want to work from that, or you may improvise within the formula. The muffins are yours to take home after class. As always, let me know if you need help."