Starchild: Why Malaysian kids can't get enough of muffins

Jayden Tan Li Sheng, 12

A muffin is a small, domed, spongy cake. It’s oh-so-delicious, especially if you eat one that’s warm and fluffy, fresh from the oven.

Muffins come in many flavours. Some, like chocolate chip, blueberry and banana, are sweet. Others, like cheese or corn, are savoury.

You can enjoy a muffin for breakfast, as a snack, or even as a treat after dinner.

Do you know muffins are super easy to make?

Serenedeep Kaur Chahil, 10First, you need basic ingredients like flour, eggs, sugar, vegetable oil, baking powder and milk.

Then, mix them up before pouring the batter into muffin cups for baking.

After baking (about 20 minutes, depending on the size and recipe), you will have yummy muffins ready to eat!

You can also add your favourite ingredients like nuts, raisins or even rainbow sprinkles into your muffins.

Muffins are also great for sharing. You can bake a batch and surprise your family or friends.

You can also bring some to school for a class party!

While what we know as muffin is the American one that is fluffy and cupcake-like, there is also another kind of muffin called the English muffin.

Unlike the baked American muffin, English muffin is flat and toasted, often eaten with butter or jam.

If you could invent a new muffin flavour, what would it be? Would it be a mix of strawberries and chocolate? Or would it be a rainbow sprinkle muffin with surprise filling?

Recently, Starchild asked readers to send in letters on the topic, Muffins. Here’s what they had to say.

“Muffins are more than just food. They are a reminder of love, comfort and the little things that make life sweet,” writes Serenedeep Kaur Chahil, 10.

Jayden Tan Li Sheng, 12, writes: “I love muffins, especially chocolate-flavoured ones because they are so delicious! They have soft texture with a moist crumb that makes every bite enjoyable. My mother always bakes muffins for my birthday, and she makes them extra special by adding different mix-ins like fruits, nuts and chocolate chips. I always look forward to her homemade muffins.”

Michelle Tan Mei Kuan, 9

“I love banana muffins, as well as muffins with nuts and chocolate chips. I think it is a healthy food if we eat a balanced and moderate diet,” writes Michelle Tan Mei Kuan, nine.

Tamisha Ravi,12, is thankful that her mother bakes muffins for her to bring to school for breakfast and share them with her friends.

Tamisha Ravi, 12

“Most of my friends love eating muffins! They provide energy because they contain high-calorie ingredients. Muffins made with whole grains and fruits like strawberries and apples are also a source of fibre, making them a tasty and nutritious treat.”

Chong Jun Jie, 12, says, “I love muffins that have chocolate chip. It is soft and yummy. My mother buys them for me to bring to school. Muffins taste yummy, and they are quite filling.”

Chong Jun Jie, 12

ITEM: Have you ever seen someone struggling and then offered to help? Maybe a classmate was having trouble with their homework, and you explained the tricky question. Or perhaps you noticed a friend who have forgotten to bring their lunch, so you shared your snacks with them. Even small acts of kindness can make a big difference.

Sometimes, we see our parents or family members helping others too. Have you ever seen your parents give food to a homeless person or donate clothes to those in need? What does helping others mean to you and how would you convey it in a drawing?

Email your contributions to [e-mail] by March 28. Please put “STARCHILD: Helping Others” in the subject line of your email.

Scanned drawings should be in jpeg format, with a resolution of 200dpi. Your contributions must carry your full name, age (open to children aged 12 and below only), gender, phone contact, and address. Instead of handwritten letters, please type out your letters.