I've been asked to get someone a muffin scoop as a gift. It was described to me as a 1/4 cup to 1/3 cup sized cookie scoop.
I'm extremely confused by this request, as cookies and muffins are fairly different. Cookie scoops expedite making drop cookies by making it easier to grab that rounded tablespoon or 1/8th cup or whatever and placing it smoothly on the sheet. Since muffins are batter I'm not sure I can easily visualize the same thing happening.
I also had trouble finding a muffin scoop when I searched for it. There are about 5 logical links on the front page of google, including this one from King Arthur. Beyond that I could find a 4 tablespoon cookie scoop, but I'm not sure if this will work well for muffin batter (or at least any better than a nice 1/4 cup measure) because I don't see how the spring action of the handles for such scoops is helpful.
I also found things like a #20 scoop that lists itself as helpful for muffins, and the King Arthur scoop says it is a #16. As far as I can tell that is how many scoops per quart and it is a professional tool. Is that what I should be looking for? I don't want to disappoint my giftee, and I also don't want to purchase the wrong thing or a worthless thing.
Best Answer
Cookie Scoop, Muffin Scoop, Disher.... They come in all sizes and are useful for a whole lot (except I don't like them for ice cream). See here: http://www.kitchenconservatory.com/Dishers-and-Scoops-C461.aspx
Alton brown frequently uses these scoops for all sorts of things on "Good Eats", including his episode "The Muffin Method Man" where he uses a #20 scoop: http://www.goodeatsfanpage.com/Season7/Muffin/MuffinTrans.htm
Another example of using scoops for muffins. http://www.goodlifeeats.com/2010/10/kitchen-tip-trick-for-filling-muffin-tins.html