Name: Blueberry Muffin Tops
Yield: Makes 12
Ingredients: 3/4 stick (6 tablespoons) unsalted butter; 1/3 cup whole milk; 1 whole large egg; 1 large yolk; 3/4 teaspoon vanilla; 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 3/4 cup sugar; 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder; 3/4 teaspoon salt; 2 cups fresh blueberries (12 oz); 3 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into bits; 1/2 cup all-purpose flour; 3 1/2 tablespoons sugar; 2 muffin-top pans, each with 6 (4- by 1/2-inch) muffin-top cups (1/2-cup capacity)*; or regular muffin pans

Image may contain Bakery Shop Cutlery Spoon Food Cookie Biscuit and Dessert

Blueberry Muffin TopsRomulo Yanes

'90S SEINFELD

After Elaine exclaims that she only likes the tops of muffins ("The Muffin Tops" first aired on May 8, 1997), her former boss thinks Elaine has hit on a clever marketing idea. But when you only sell the tops, what do you do with the hundreds of muffin "stumps" (bottoms) that are left? Elaine and her gang take to the streets with garbage bags of stumps, trying to pawn them off on anyone and everyone. There are no takers; even the homeless turn them down with disdain. It didn't take long after the airing of the episode for muffin-top pans to appear on store shelves — another TV triumph.

Active time: 35 min Start to finish: 1 1/4 hr

Recipe notes

Caramelized Onion Pasta

Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.

Our Favorite French Onion Soup

Caramelized onions, melty Gruyère, and a deeply savory broth deliver the kind of comfort that doesn’t need improving.

Golden Mushroom Soup With Orzo & a Pat of Butter

This is the type of soup that, at first glance, might seem a little…unexciting. But you’re underestimating the power of mushrooms, which do the heavy lifting.

Classic French Bouillabaisse With Rouille

This flexible recipe is all you need to bring this iconic Provençal seafood stew to your table.

Béchamel Sauce

This classic 15-minute sauce is your secret weapon for homemade mac and cheese, chowder, lasagna, and more.

Mascarpone Cheesecake

An extra-silky filling (no water bath needed!) and a smooth sour cream topping make this the ultimate cheesecake.

Crème Anglaise

The silky French vanilla sauce that goes with everything.

Butternut Squash–Kale Salad With Roasted Garlic Vinaigrette

Round out these autumn greens with tart pomegranate seeds, crunchy pepitas, and a shower of Parmesan.