Why can't I bake muffins?

[KeepPloddingOn]

I can bake all sorts of cakes to near perfection.

But I have never baked a good muffin.

I've tried a few recipes. Sometimes I get the right flavour and texture. The next time, same recipe and I just end up with cupcakes. I've never got the shape.

I know the key is not over mixing. ...but I still can't do it. Muffins are my nemesis.

Do you mean the bready ones or the big fairy cake things?

The cakes ones.

Even worse this batch taste quite salty

I was going to suggest more bicarb, but it sounds like you already have too much.

Is your oven hot enough? I get a much better result with a hotter oven than cupcakes. They need to rise fast and cook through quickly.

I find it best to cook muffins in a good quality, "thick" muffin tray. They always turn out well and cook evenly.??I used to use cheap tins and had variable results??My muffins improved dramatically when I bought decent bakeware.????Agree with the comment about cooking muffins quickly and on quite a high heat.????It's also important to have the oven at the correct temp before you put them in, but you're probably doing this already.??

Goodness knows why there are loads of question marks in my post above, and no spaces!??Can't seem to preview on this pesky app!

I know you've mentioned already, but seriously, hardly mix. It's right that there are dry bits and runny bits. Combine lightly might be a better phrase than mix.

Nigella' chocolate chip muffins never fail me if you want to experimeng further...