How does one make homemade muffins as moist as commercial brands?

Question

I know that stirring them too much can make them dry, I'm careful not to get "stir happy" , I even try to add extra oil, and still they are not as good as the ones from the local gas station. Oh, and I'm not making them from scratch, I'm using a box mix.

Answer 1

Replace 2/3rds of the oil that's called for with either buttermilk or yogurt. The denser dairy products contain more solids that will hold the moisture better.

Answer 2

I have some great muffin recipes on my website. Adding a little honey and chopped apples helps.I also use unsweetened applesauce as part of the oil or butter in my muffins. Don't over bake them also.

Answer 3

Your first mistake is you are using a box mix. If you're going to put that much effort into a mix, you might just as well start with a good recipe... IMHO.

Here are two very moist recipes (I really dislike dry breads & loaves myself!)
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Moist Applesauce Raisin Bread (excellent)

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 cup quick cooking oats
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup raisins
1 1/4 cups applesauce
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup fruit juice

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Grease and flour an 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 inch loaf pan.

Soak raisins in fruit juice.

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, soda, cinnamon, oats, and brown sugar.

Add applesauce, oil, eggs, and milk; stir until just combined. Mix in raisins (drained*). Spread batter into prepared pan.

Bake for 55 to 60 minutes.
Remove from pan immediately, and cool on a wire rack

Makes 1 loaf

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CARROT-APPLE SAUCE MUFFINS

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon grated nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
3 eggs
2/3 cup firmly packed light or dark brown sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 cups applesauce
3 cups grated carrots
1 cup raisins
Grated peel (no white attached) of 2 oranges

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly spray muffin tins with cooking spray containing flour.

In a large bowl, sift together the flour, whole wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom.

In a medium bowl, combine the eggs, brown sugar, and vanilla, mixing well. Stir in the vegetable oil, applesauce, carrots, raisins, and orange peel. Add to the flour and mix just until incorporated.

Pour into the prepared muffin tins and bake until a tester inserted comes out clean, about 20 minutes (based on size). Cool 10 minutes on a wire rack, then invert and cool completely.

Makes 18 large, 24 medium or 36 small muffins

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Answer 4

Don't add any oil at all! If it says for example: 1/3 cup oil use 1/3 cup applesauce. It sounds funny but it is soooo much better and it's healthier and less fat too! Can't get any better than that!

Answer 5

They are moise because they are LOADED with preservatives such as BHT. This type of preservative is like a silicone and is not actually moist, but gives the texture of moisture. This improves the shelf life of the product, and studies have shown that consuming large amounts of preservatives causes many kinds of cancers and heart disease.

Answer 6

A veg is a plant or part of a herb used as food

Answer 7

Both are good for you, each fruit/vegetable has different vitamins. And so as more variety, as better. Vegetables have generally less sugar than fruits.

Answer 8

You could try some sour cream. Don't add too much so that you don't have the taste, but it will add a creamier texture.

Answer 9

Try using dried fruits or chopped up apple - box mixes tend to be very dry.

Answer 10

TRY ADDING EGG WHITES THAT ARE FLUFFED UP FOLD THEM IN IT WILL MAKE IT EXTRA FLUFFY

ALSO ADD SOME HONEY TO THE BATTER BEFORE FOLDING IN EGGWHITES THAT AR BEETIN TILL STIFF