Monday, November 8, 2010

Muffin Monday - Gladys Taber's Sally Lunn Gems

I used to offer an occasional feature called 'Muffin Monday.' It has been ages since I've posted a recipe, but hope to do so more often. Today's muffin is from Gladys Taber's My Own Cookbook. Her notes:
I have no idea who Sally Lunn was as this is a very old recipe from my childhood. I like to think of her using cast-iron muffin pans (which can't be beat) and wearing a starched and ruffled apron.
I'm sure if Gladys had had access to google, she would have gone right to her computer and looked up Sally Lunn, just as I did. I found something interesting here and here and still another, here. I saw that even if she had searched, the results wouldn't have been definitive. I think I'll stick with her image of the woman. My pans are not cast-iron and my apron isn't starched and ruffled,


but still these 'Gems' live up to their name. They are simple as can be. I've found that many old recipes call for less butter and sugar than new ones, and yet still taste just as wonderful. Plus, when there is less butter inside, you can put more on top of the muffins!

Gladys Taber's Sally Lunn Gems

1 egg
2 Tablespoons melted butter
2 Tablespoons sugar
1 cup milk
2 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

Beat egg.
Add butter, sugar, and milk.
Mix flour and baking powder and add.
Pour into greased muffin tins.
Bake in preheated 400º F. oven until tops are a delicate brown and the edges draw away from the pan. For me, this was between 15 and 20 minutes. They are wonderful. Perfect for breakfast or with afternoon tea or coffee.

18 comments:

  1. YUM! Warm muffins on a cold day - they look delicious and mouthwatering. :)

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  2. My daughter and I had tea and Sally Lunn buns at the Sally Lunn tea room in Bath...wonderful memories!
    Thanks for sharing!
    Joanne

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  3. These look good - Made your orange cookies again this morning :)
    I make them about every 3 weeks.'
    Soooo good. Always share some and sometimes the postman finds a few in a bag when he delivers the mail.

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  4. How simple - and absolutely luscious-looking! I like your observation that since there is less butter IN them, you can put more butter ON them :)

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  5. Thanks for the recipe and the links about Sally Lunn. Your photograph with the butter melting on the muffins is very good. Thanks for the decision to continue your blog, I truly enjoy it. Kay Guest

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  6. Oh yes...it looks lovely indeed!!! I'm coming over for some with coffee!

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  7. I once read something about who Sally Lunn was and why these muffins were named after her...but the only recollection I have of it is that I read it...
    I love your header. It makes me think that inside that fence is cozy and warm and smells like muffins.

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  8. Love this fall picture. Looks like a day for baking muffins and reading in front of a fire.

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  9. Kittie Flyn, they are!

    Joanne, that is so wonderful!

    Ernestine, I just love this. I'm so pleased you like them that much.

    Rebecca, isn't butter just the best?!

    Jenclair, they are so very easy to make.

    Kay, thank you for your words. They mean so much to me.

    Staci, how I wish you could!

    Hip chick, I just love what you wrote about the picture. Thank you. And your Sally Lunn memory reminds me of what I just read about Nora Ephron's new book. Have you heard about it? More here, if you are interested:

    http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=131161208

    Jill, every day feels like that lately. But I really don't mind the dark and gloomy. I am fond of November.

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  10. Mmmmm! These look delicious and easy. Leave it to Gladys Taber - and you! I love your rationale as well-less butter in the muffins leaves more to be on top. My kind of muffin. Thank you for sharing these.

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  11. Life on the cut off, thanks so much. I put that new butter rule right into action!

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  12. I love Sally Lunn buns. Headed to Bath in a fortnight and will find them very hard to resist, as usual!

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  13. Am trying these on a lovely sunny November Saturday. . . I had in mind an easy little something for breakfast (and my still-sleeping boys will surely not mind, either!) and these look great! Thanks!

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  14. Leamonteach, I hope you love them! I'm so pleased you are making them. Wouldn't Gladys be tickled?!

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  15. I'm not sure why but the words muffin and Monday are so sweet together it makes me giggle.

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  16. Colleen, it's so nice to hear from you! The words do have a nice ring. I'm thinking about what to make on this Monday. :<)

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