My fellow Yummy Mummy and dear friend, Sonia, in the full throes of labor on Wednesday afternoon, called in a special request. At her son’s preschool, Snack Day is like a high holy day for the kid whose turn it is to bring in the goods. She wanted to make sure that the snack new big brother TT brought in for his class was homemade, fantastic, and not just another sad pile of Goldfish. In his honor, I created a special treat made with apples done 4 ways.
Sonia, who eats well and generally scoffs higher calorie fare, always calls cupcakes, “muffins”. At first I thought that she was being facetious, but now I think that she might be on to something. That said, while I’m sure that cupcakes might not be well-received as a school time snack, for this very special day, we’ll all agree to call them “muffins”.
Welcome to the world, Baby Ozzy, and welcome to the brotherhood, Big Boy TT!
TT’s Extra Special Apple Muffins
*2 c. unbleached all purpose flour
*1 t. baking soda
*1 t. baking powder
*1 t. salt
*1 t. ground cinnamon
*1/2 t. ground cardamom
*1/8 t. ground nutmeg
*3/4 c. unsweetened applesauce
*1 apple, peeled, cored, and shredded
*1/2 c. cardamom apple butter (or regular apple butter if you prefer)
*8 T. unsalted butter, melted
*1/2 c. dark brown sugar, packed
*1 1/2 t. vanilla
*3 eggs, slightly beaten
*for the decoration: one or two apples, peeled, cored and sliced into wedges 1/4 inch thick
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. With your mini-chef, paper 12 muffin cups.
In a medium bowl, measure out and whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground spices.
In a large bowl, stir the rest of the ingredients-except for the apple wedges, of course-together very well.
Now add the dry ingredients to the wet ones, and let your Yummy really do a big job on the stirring. Unlike traditional muffins, these “muffins” can be stirred with abandon. All the dry ingredients should be well incorporated into the wet ingredients.
Now, it’s time to create. You can cut shapes out of your apple wedges for a schmancy look or simply arrange three of the wedges on top of each muffin.
Big Person will put the muffins in the oven for 30-35 minutes. You can insert a toothpick into the center of a muffin. If it comes out clean, they’re ready.
