Apple Yogurt Muffins

Amazing Apple Muffins

This is a modified Taste of Homes recipe (modified by Adria) with a modified Betty Crocker topping

Muffin Ingredients:

1 3/4 cup whole wheat flour (this has to be whole wheat freshly ground) or 1 cup whole wheat store bought flour and 3/4 cup wheat bran

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup honey or 1/3 cup agave nectar

1 egg

1/2 cup yogurt

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 cup oil

1 cup homemade chunky applesauce (no sugar added) or 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce and 1/2 cup grated apple or 1 cup tightly packed grated, juicy apple

1/2 cup raisins

1 teaspoon grated orange peel (I use 1/4 orange peel and grate it twice with my apple in a salad shooter)

In a bowl, combine the dry ingredients (flour , cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, salt).

In another bowl whisk the honey or nectar, egg, yogurt, applesauce/ apple, oil, raisins and orange peel.

Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour the wet ingredients into the well.  Mix only until barely moistened.  Batter will be lumpy.

Coat muffin cups with oil or use paper liners.  Divide batter evenly among twelve muffin cups.  Bake at 400 degrees for 18-22 minutes.  Cool 5 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack.  The longer you allow them to cool the more likely they are to come out in one piece (if using paper liners you don't have to worry about that).

Muffin Topping (WARNING: If using the topping be aware that there will not be any muffins left over!  This includes someone baking for one!)

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 cup agave nectar

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

4 tablespoons firm butter

Mix all ingredients well (I find that a fork works best).  Spoon onto top of muffin batter in the tin.  Use a squeeze bottle with a wide tip if looking for a more uniform finished appearance.  I opt for the spoon because it's easier to wash than the squeeze bottle.

Happy Kitchen Hint (from Josh): Fill the kitchen sink with HOT water and dish washing soap before you start cooking.  Add utensils and dishes as  you go.  By the time you're finished baking or cooking the water has cooled to a warm temperature and your dishes have practically washed themselves!  The kitchen will be almost clean too!  It's amazing!

Happy Kitchen Hint (from Adria):  Have a bowl or other container under your sink filled 1/2 full with water and 2 tablespoons of vinegar.  Add your dishrags and sponges when you're finished using them until you're ready to launder them.  The vinegar acts as an anti-bacterial and your stinky dishrags are no longer stinky!  Don't forget they're there on laundry day though!)