Apple Muffins - Harvest 2022

 Once again it is apple season and despite the long, dry, hot summer we have a nice  collection of home grown apples from the little orchard on our allotment.  I will store some, bake with some, and give some away.  Here is a quick recipe that features some of the 'eating' apples. I don't use a baking apple for this recipe but any apple you would happily eat out of hand will do.  

Ingredients

1 cup plain flour

1/2 cup caster sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon fine salt

2 Tablespoons butter plus 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil 

1 large egg

1/4 cup milk

1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar *  optional but makes muffins rise beautifully 

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup apple - peeled and shredded 

Preheat the oven to 375F or 190C.  Place paper cupcake liners into a six hole muffin tin.  

In a mixing bowl place the flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder.  Stir to combine. 

Add the butter and oil and mix until it looks like course bread crumbs.

Pour in the milk, egg, and vanilla extract and stir until JUST combined.  

Add the apple and give it all another stir to mix in the shredded apple.

Scoop the batter into the muffin cups and bake for about 20-25 minutes.  Check at about 15 minutes because some ovens run hot and you don't want dry muffins.  They should be a light golden brown, tender, and moist.  I can't think of a nicer way to welcome autumn.  Enjoy!