Apple Cake Muffins

”An apple a day keeps the doctor away“ is the old saying - so why not have an apple cake muffin everyday! This moist apple cake is filled with crisp apple pieces and warm cinnamon notes, then topped with more cinnamon in the form of a sweet brown sugar cinnamon streusel.

Prep Time: 40 minutes

Bake Time: 19-20 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Yield: Makes ~14 muffins

INGREDIENTS

For the Streusel Topping:

• 6 tablespoons packed light brown sugar

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold, cut into 1/2-inch chunks

For the Cake:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 2 teaspoons baking powder

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar

• 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed

• 2 large eggs

• 1 &1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

• 1/2 cup milk

• 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon

• 2 cups diced apples (approx 1 and 1/2 apple), cut into 1/2 cubes (I used Pink Lady but any apple will do)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. First, make the streusel topping by combining the brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and salt in a small bowl. Using your fingers, mix until no lumps of brown sugar remain. Add in the cubed butter and rub it into the mixture using your fingertips until a crumbly state is reached. Refrigerate the topping until ready to use.

2. Preheat oven to 375 F for standard oven.

3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, cinnamon and baking powder.

4. In a separate large bowl, beat the butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer for about 2 minutes or until creamy. Add the eggs one at a time, scraping down the sides of the bowl after each addition. Beat in the vanilla extract.

5. Add the flour mixture gradually into the bowl, alternating with the milk, beating on low speed to combine.

6. Add the diced apples to the batter, and gently fold them in with a spatula until it is evenly distributed. Don't over-mix the batter.

7. Line a muffin tray with baking cups. Spoon the batter into each individual baking cup about 2/3 full and spread evenly.

8. Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the batter of each filled baking cup.

9. Bake for 19-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool for about 15 minutes before serving.

Enjoy! Note: the apples will be slightly crisp which I like because it adds some texture, but it's still cooked all the way through. If you like a more softer apple texture, you can cut the apples into smaller pieces.