Peeling back the paper from a warm, fragrant, freshly baked muffin at a local café feels almost mesmerizing, while tipping an ordinary muffin out of your pan at home just doesn't invoke the same vibe.

Allie has been Lifehacker’s Food Writer since 2021. She earned her bachelor’s degree at Ithaca College in drama and studied at the Institute of Culinary Education to earn her diploma in Pastry and ...