1 egg, beaten with fork
1 c. milk
2 c. sifted flour
1/4 c. melted shortening
3 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tbsp. sugar

FOR VARIATIONS:

1) Jelly
2) 1/2 c. orange juice
1 tsp. orange rind
3) 1 c. frozen blueberries
Additional 1/4 c. flour
4) 1 c. cornmeal
1/2 tsp. baking soda

Sift flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. Thoroughly mix milk, melted shortening and egg together. Pour liquid mixture into flour mixture, stirring lightly until flour mixture is just moist. Fill greased muffin pans 1/2 to 2/3 full. Bake in hot oven, 400 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes or until tops of muffins are golden brown.

VARIATION 1: Surprise Muffins - Fill muffin cup 1/2 full with muffin batter; plop a scant teaspoon of jelly in center of batter an cover with remaining batter.

VARIATION 2: Orange Muffins - Substitute 1/2 cup orange juice for 1/2 cup milk. Add orange juice and 1 teaspoon grated orange rind to egg mixture.

VARIATION 3: Blueberry Muffins - Add 1 cup of frozen blueberries to batter plus 1/4 cup additional flour.

VARIATION 4: Corn Muffins - Substitute 1 cup cornmeal for 1 cup flour and substitute 1/2 teaspoon baking soda for 1 teaspoon of baking powder.