Ginger Apple Muffins

Apples are at their greatest bounty in September. We love simply eating them fresh, making applesauce, or apple pie, but try these delicious muffins for something a little different. They are delightful for breakfast, a snack, or a healthy dessert.

source	Penzeys
categories	dessert, cake
yield	24 muffins
prep time	25 mins
total time	25-30 mins

INGREDIENTS

3 cup apples peeled, cored, and chopped (choose a firm apple like gala)

3 Lrg eggs, beaten

1 cup vegetable oil

2 tsp pure vanilla extract

½ tsp pure almond extract

1 cup granulated white sugar (I like to use part ginger syrup to boost the ginger flavor)

2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1 tsp Penzeys cinnamon

2 tsp sweet ginger bits or chopped candied ginger

3 cup all purpose flour

[Topping]

¾ cup all purpose flour

¼ cup granulated white sugar

1 tsp Penzeys cinnamon

1 tsp sweet ginger bits or chopped candied ginger

6 Tbsp butter, cold, but not rock hard

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.

2. Grease two muffin pans or place muffin liners in them.

3. In a large bowl, beat the eggs with oil, vanilla extract, almond extract, and sugar until combined.

4. Add flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, and cinnamon. Beat until thoroughly mixed. The batter will be very, very thick.

5. Fold in the chopped apples.

6. Spoon the thick batter into the pans (note, the batter will not rise much at all).

7. Prepare the topping by combining butter (cut into chunks), flour, sugar, cinnamon, and ginger in a small bowl. Rub between your fingers until combined.

8. Sprinkle equal amounts of topping on each muffin 9. there is a lot of topping!

10. Bake for about 25-30 minutes until firm.