Tasty Tuesday!

Years back when I worked in retail a friend brought in some muffins that her mother had made.  It was the first time I had ever had them and they were soooo good I think  I ate almost all of them.  Years later when I started baking more I was brought back to these muffins and I decided I needed to make myself some.  Although I know muffins are like smaller cake servings I try to tell myself that they are really good for me as it has baked apples in it.   Yes I know I am in denial, but they are that good that I am not willing to give them up! Yum!

Whenever we bake the girls are involved and today Miss K decided she was the scooper so they do not look like any gourmet muffins when we make them.  Though whats most important is the taste.  Reality is if it looks good and tastes bad whats the point.  I am happier with it tasting good and I love the excitement in the girls face when they are helping so it is worth the appearance for me!!

 Apple Strudel Muffins

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 1/4 teaspoons vanilla
1 1/2 cups chopped apples

1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon butter

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).  I grease muffins pans as I cook as the original recipe states it makes 12 but with my muffin tins it makes 24.
2. In a medium bowl, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
3. In a large bowl, beat together butter, sugar and eggs until smooth. Mix in vanilla. Stir in apples, and gradually blend in the flour mixture. Spoon the mixture into the prepared muffin pan.
4. In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, flour and cinnamon. Cut in butter until mixture is like coarse crumbs. Sprinkle over tops of mixture in muffin pan.
5. Bake 20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean. Allow to sit 5 minutes before removing muffins from pan. Cool on a wire rack.

 If you choose to not put the topping on the muffins and you would love to save some on calories and sugar intake then you will not need the second list of ingredients.  They still taste just as good and little bit healthier.  I also use whole wheat flour and do not add the salt as personal variations for our family.

Enjoy!!