Muffins & quick breads : simple recipe ideas for delicious traditional home baking

There is nothing quite like the smell of home baking and few things are more delicious than muffins or tea breads served straight from the oven.

Muffins are an increasingly popular tea-time treat and are so simple to make.

The mixture can be beaten together in minutes and then baked in less than half an hour.

The mouth-watering recipes in this collection include maple pecan muffins, blueberry and vanilla muffins and scrumptious chocolate creations.

Why not try a savoury muffin such as the bacon and cornmeal muffins hot for breakfast or brunch?

The section on sweet quick breads includes wonderful fruity breads to serve warm and buttered, such as banana breads, a delicious blueberry crumble tea bread and a spicy date and nut malt loaf.

Scones are also a real old-fashioned treat - serve them still warm with thick cream and jam, or, like the savoury variations, with a little melting butter. Or try popovers --baked with herbs or cheese, they make a delicious snack.