Confusing them with crumpets or with actual muffins

Did you know there's a distinction between crumpets and English muffins, and that neither is a muffin? Crumpets and English muffins are both examples of griddle cakes. Instead of baking in an oven, crumpets and English muffins were originally cooked on a hot metal skillet. Many similarities exist between the two types of bread, but crumpets are only griddled on one side.

The worst thing you can do is assume that English muffins are similar to regular muffins. Muffins, as you may know, are a type of quick bread in the United States. Quick bread is any type of cake or bread that comes together simply by mixing and does not require yeast or fermentation to rise. Almost all muffin recipes begin with butter and sugar, then add eggs and, occasionally, another liquid before folding in the flour and chemical leavening (baking soda or powder) mixture.