Apple Cinnamon Streusel Muffins

According to Wikipedia, Cinnamon was so valuable that it was considered as a gift fit for royalty and even for a god.  Now, it is very common and is used daily, whether as a spice, condiment or flavoring material. Apples on the other hand help bone protection, lower cholesterol and help with weight loss. Here is a healthy recipe you can enjoy for breakfast or as a snack.

Ingredients:

Muffin Batter
1 1/2 cups plus 2 level tablespoons of all purpose flour
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/3 cup unsweetened apple sauce
1 egg
1/3 cup butter milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large apples – peeled, cored and diced

Streusel Topping
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup cold butter, cubed (not soft butter or spread)
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350(F) degrees. Grease six muffin cups or line them with paper muffin liners.

To make the streusel, combine 1/3 cup flour, 1/2 sugar, butter and 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon in a small bowl and whisk the ingredients well. With a fork, cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles pea sized crumbles. Refrigerate it until it is ready to use.

Prepare the muffins by mixing the salt, sugar, flour, baking powder and cinnamon in a bowl. In another bowl put together the oil, apple sauce, egg, buttermilk and vanilla extract. After, combine the wet and dry ingredients together and mix well. Fold in the apples and make sure that all the ingredients have blended together.

Using a ladle or an ice cream scoop, place the batter into the prepared muffin cups and top with streusel toppings.

Bake the muffins in the oven for 25 to 30 minutes. Insert a toothpick at the center of the muffin to test if it is cooked. It must come out clean, with no batter. Let the muffins rest for 5 minutes before removing them from the pan.

Serve warm or store in an airtight container up to a week.

Photo Courtesy Of:  Jennifer Chernoff