Muffin
Muffin is the name for two different types of baked goods in the United States and the United Kingdom. In the UK, the term ' muffins ' a flat crumpet, which is eaten as a toast. In the United States these are referred to as " English muffins ". The American muffins are small round cakes, which are usually made with baking powder and baked in special tins.
The origin of the term muffin is not clearly understood. Linguists derive it from the old French name Moufflet for a loaf of bread; the word meant "soft". But it is also to low German word forms referenced ( sleeve pastry). A safe language interpretation is still pending.
Muffin in the UK
It is not known, since when there are muffins in the British Isles. The term can be detected since the beginning of the 18th century; the first recipes come from the mid-18th century. They were very popular in the 19th century and were used to Tea Time by " Muffin Men " sold on the street. The loud exclamations and Schell ringing the seller was banned by law in the 1840s, because many people felt disturbed thereby; the ban did not let prevail.
The English muffin is made from a special yeast dough that is on a baking tray with round wells containing liquid fat, baked. He has no resemblance to the American muffin, but looks more like a flat bread that is toasted in the toaster before eating ( in Germany, a comparable product sold under the name Toasties ). The muffins are sold pre-cut in half.
First a fortified milk from water, shortening, sugar, salt and milk powder is prepared for the dough. By using milk powder is achieved in that the liquid contains more proteins than normal milk and milk sugar. Characterized the flavor is improved, and the dough tans intense. This liquid is mixed with yeast and flour stuffed after the rising of the dough into round shapes and ready-baked on a hot plate from both sides. English muffins are available with both rye and wheat flour.
Sometimes the names Muffin and Crumpet be confused. The muffin is a cake that resembles a bread has, during Crumpet more reminiscent of a pancake.
American Muffin
British immigrants brought in the 19th century the muffin to North America. The American muffin is not made of yeast dough, but made simpler with the help of dough leavening agents such as baking soda. Since baking soda was first invented in the mid -19th century, the U.S. Muffin can be regarded as the " modern" form.
There are a number of different brownie recipes, which differ even at the ingredients. Dough consistency are important for the proper use of a liquid shortening ( or molten butter oil ) and the correct acidity in the dough in combination with the leavening agent. The more acidic the liquid ingredients such as buttermilk or yogurt are, the more soda must be added instead of baking soda. The dough can be prepared from the muffins, is not a batter. He has more in common with a pancake batter.
The difference to the latter consists in the particular type of preparation, the " muffin " method. The solid ingredients (flour, baking powder, salt, baking soda) and liquid ingredients (sugar, oil, milk, buttermilk, yogurt, egg) are first separated mixed. Then the liquid is applied to the half dry half and the dough is mixed, only about ten seconds. If mixing was prolonged too much glue would arise in the dough and the CO2 bubbles in the dough to be too large. If the Muffin other ingredients included (nuts, chocolate chips or the very popular blueberries ), they are now added and the dough only another three or four times under stirring. The dough is baked in special metal baking tins or silicone in the oven, so that the typical shape.
Three U.S. states have muffins to official "State muffins " explains Minnesota blueberry muffin (since 1988), New York apple muffin (since 1987) and the Massachusetts cornmeal muffin (since 1986).
Muffins are not identical with cupcakes. Although the latter have a similar shape as muffins, but are sweeter, made of batter, usually contain no nuts or the like, and are decorated with a coating of cream or icing.