APPLE CINNAMON MUFFINS

Here is another recipe that Pia recommended to me a while back and that has now become a favorite in our family. Every time I'm in the process of making these muffins my husband starts hovering around me in the kitchen asking when they'll be ready for him to eat. 😂

I'm pretty much down with any kind of muffin (except the ones with raisins!), but this apple cinnamon spice mix version is truly superb and also very fitting for the Christmas season. 

A shout-out to the Brown Eyed Baker who created this recipe (https://www.browneyedbaker.com/apple-cinnamon-muffins/)!

Enjoy! 💗Helena

INGREDIENTS:

• For the Cooked Apples:
• 2 tablespoons (28.35g) unsalted butter
• 2 Granny Smith apples (peeled, cored and cut into ¼-inch pieces)
• 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon 
  
  
  
• For the Muffins:
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2½ cups all-purpose flour
• 2½ teaspoons baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda
• 1¼ teaspoons salt
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• ¼ cup vegetable oil
• ½ cup apple cider (or apple juice)
• ½ cup plain, whole milk yogurt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 
  
  
  
• For the Topping:
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

DIRECTIONS:

1. Cook the Apples: Melt the butter in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cook, stirring often, until the moisture has completely evaporated and the apples are well browned, 8-10 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and allow to cool for 10 minutes. 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Prepare the Muffins: Adjust an oven rack to the upper-middle position and preheat the oven to 205°C. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or spray with non-stick cooking spray.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and ground cinnamon. 
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. In a medium bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, eggs, oil, and melted butter until thick, about 30 seconds. Whisk the apple cider, yogurt and vanilla into the sugar mixture until combined. 
   
   
   
    

   

   
   
   
   
5. Fold the sugar mixture and the cooled apples into the flour mixture until just combined. Divide the batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups (there should be about ⅓ cup of batter per cup, and the cups will be filled to the rim). 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
    

   

   
   
   
   
6. Mix Together the Topping: In a small bowl, stir together the sugar, brown sugar and cinnamon for the topping. Sprinkle the muffin tops evenly with the topping. 
   
   
   
   
   
   
7. Bake: Bake until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached, 18-22 minutes, rotating the muffin tin halfway through baking. 
8. Let the muffins cool in the muffin tin on a wire rack for 10 minutes. 
   
   
   
9. Remove the muffins from the pan and place on a wire cooling rack. Cool for 5 more minutes before serving. 
   
   
   
   
   
   
10. The muffins can be served warm or at room temperature. Store the muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.