Mini Apple Muffins
When life gives us lemons, we make lemonade, and when it gives us apples, we make… apple muffins! These tiny muffins are such a pleasure to make, absolutely delicious, and have always created fond memories.
These have been my favorite ‘school friendly’ muffins too. There is hardly any kid who doesn’t like apples, there are no nuts, and their one bite size make these muffins very kid friendly. And the best part is, even if someone doesn’t like it, there is nothing left(to throw) after that one bite. In fact, it always has been, “Can I have more?”
Mini Apple Muffins - Yields 48
(adapted from smitten kitchen)
2 large apples, cored and cut into small pieces
1 inch piece of ginger, peeled and grated
half of a key lime
1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
Squeeze the juice out of the grated ginger and the lime and add to the cut apple pieces. Add one tablespoon of dark brown sugar and mix well and keep aside.
2 cups wholewheat flour, high protein(this works very well for me for all the baking; never had to mix all-purpose flour)
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon cinnamon powder
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup dark brown sugar, packed
1 large egg
1 cup yogurt
2 tablespoons dark brown sugar for sprinkling
Preheat the oven to 450°F. Line two, 24 cups mini muffin pans.
Mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon, and set aside. In a separate bowl, cream the butter and add the brown sugar. Beat until fluffy. Add the egg and mix well; scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl. Stir in the dry ingredients. Mix in the yogurt gently. Fold in the chopped apples.
Divide the batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups, sprinkle a pinch of brown sugar on top. Bake for 7 minutes, turn the heat down to 400°F, and bake for an additional 7 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. Cool the muffins for 5 minutes in the pan, then turn them out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
... and this is the way Maanas enjoys them -a handful of muffins at a time!