Muffins are small, round quick breads with a cakelike texture. They can be sweet or savory. Muffins can be flavored with fruit, chocolate, cheese or vegetables. Muffins are made from batters rather than doughs. Usually the combined liquid ingredients (such as eggs and milk) are stirred into the dry ingredients (such as flour, sugar and leavening). To avoid overbeating, mixing is done by hand only until the dry ingredients are moistened. Too much stirring or beating will give the muffins a tough texture with lots of holes and tunnels and a peaked top. The batter should look lumpy when it goes into the prepared muffin pans.

English muffins are yeast-raised breads that are baked on a griddle. Although they can be made at home, they are usually purchased.