When you're tired of muffins that just kind of poke along and barely crown up over the edge of the muffin cup, try these high-rising wonders. Feel free to customize this basic recipe by adding fruit, nuts, flavorings, a streusel or "crunch" topping, etc. We particularly like coconut flavor in the batter and toasted coconut on top...

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter or margarine
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
2 1/2 cups King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose or Round Table Pastry Flour
2 1/2 level teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 1/4 cups milk

In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter or margarine and sugar till smooth. Beat in the egg. Add the flour, baking powder, salt, vanilla, and milk. Beat well, till mixture is smooth.

Spoon the batter into 12 muffin cups. Bake in a preheated 425°F oven for 20 minutes, or until the muffins are golden brown. Remove the pan from the oven, remove the muffins from the pan, and cool completely on a wire rack. Yield: 12 muffins.