The math of my Muffins

In the last year I have attempted sometimes unsuccessfully to be a baker. My mother says, “If you can cook, You can bake”. She is wrong just like when she said no one would notice if I wore my brothers hand me downs or it wouldn’t be wierd to wear a dress out of fabric that she made out of leftover fabric from the curtains in our living room. Baking has not been as humiliating but a definite challenge. When I cook I allow myself to be guided by my senses but in baking an extra pinch of this or that because it smells or taste right could be a disaster. When I bake I feel like a math teacher, everything is precise. A specific formula for specific results and cooking makes me feel like the art teacher everyone loves. She can inspire you to make magic out of a pencil and sheet of paper. The same sheet and pencil you use in math but minus the rules. I’m sure some bakers are frowning at my post but until baking is as natural to me as cooking. It remains a complicated math problem. My muffins were not adding up to the right sum for awhile, it took some practice but I finally got it. After many miscalculations the formula was right and more importantly they are now delicious!

Enjoy them at breakfast, lunch or as a dessert. Really, anytime is a good muffin time.

Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins

You’ll need:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup light-brown sugar, packed
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2/3 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 cup butter, melted and cooled
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 (11 1/2 ounce) package milk chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup walnuts or 1/2 cup pecans, chopped (Optional)

1. In a large bowl, combine the first five ingredients. In a small bowl, beat egg, milk, butter and vanilla. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in chocolate chips.
2. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups three-fourths full. Bake at 350° for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack. Makes about 2 dozen mini muffins.