Apple Cinnamon Muffins

As the weather turns cooler, children tend to crave snacks with warm flavours. This warmth can be achieved by adding spices such as cinnamon, clove, allspice and nutmeg and combining them with fall favourites such as pumpkin, apple, pears and fig. By baking chopped apple into the muffin, the fruit softens and melds with the cake-like texture of the muffins; while still maintaining its bite. These muffins will be a hit with children and adults alike as they are warm and delicious while still not being too sweet. Double the recipe if you are making it for a larger group of people. This recipe makes 12 muffins.

Ingredients -

• 1 cup regular flour
• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour (atta)
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon (you can additionally add 1/4 teaspoon each of powdered clove, allspice and nutmeg)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1 large egg
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 medium apples peeled, cored and cut into small cubes

Method -

• Preheat your oven to 180 ºC and line your muffin tray with paper liners. Alternatively, you can butter each cavity of the muffin tray and sprinkle flour to coat the inside of each of them.
• Sift together the dry ingredients into a bowl – both flours, salt, baking powder and spices.
• Add in both the types of sugar – brown and white and stir to combine.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients – vegetable oil, egg, milk and vanilla extract.
• Combine the wet and dry ingredients together, stirring with a wooden spoon until no clumps of flour remain.
• Stir in the chopped apple. At this stage, you can also incorporate 1/4 cup of chopped nuts (walnuts, macadamia nuts or hazelnuts).
• Spoon the batter into the muffin tray, until each cavity is 3/4th full.
• Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until an inserted skewer comes out clean.