Apple Cinnamon Muffins with Spiced Maple Topping
Remember when I finally got my act together and went apple picking a few weeks ago? Well, I was really, really excited to be there and went slightly nuts loading up my bags with as many apples as I could feasibly carry. There were just so many apples – and so many on the ground that didn’t get picked quickly enough. It seriously made me sad, as there are few things I dislike more than wasting perfectly good food.
I made it my personal mission to keep as many apples from hitting the ground that day, and thus, I still had a couple waiting to be put to good use this weekend. They were the Rhode Island Greening variety, which someone at the orchard had told me were ideal for baking because they’re more tart and hold their shape well.
I didn’t have enough to bake an apple pie, but muffins sounded even better because they meant I wouldn’t have to spend an hour peeling and slicing apples. I don’t know why, but I am particularly bad at peeling fruits and vegetables. You know how some people can peel apples in one beautiful, uninterrupted ribbon? I do the opposite of that. Tiny flecks of apple skin all over my kitchen and I lose about thirty percent of the actual apple in the process. I need help.
I decided on the classic pairing of apple and cinnamon for the muffins, but jazzed them up a bit with a spiced maple crumble topping. And although it was not my initial intention, the muffins are completely oil-free. I thought about adding coconut oil, but honestly, they don’t even need it.
The crumble topping also uses applesauce in place of butter or oil, which I sometimes do when I’m looking to make a lower-fat granola. Again, it works. The spices provide plenty of flavor and the apples and applesauce create a really great texture all on their own.
These muffins are totally my kind of comfort food – classic flavor pairings with a healthy twist. No apple-peeling required.
Apple Cinnamon Muffins with Spiced Maple Topping
Apple Cinnamon Muffins with Spiced Maple Topping
Serves: 12 muffins
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
These muffins are totally my kind of comfort food—classic flavor pairings with a healthy twist. No apple-peeling required!
Cuisine: Vegan Servings: 12 muffins
Prep Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 20 mins Total Time: 30 mins
These muffins are totally my kind of comfort food—classic flavor pairings with a healthy twist. No apple-peeling required!
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a muffin pan, or use silicone muffin liners to keep the recipe completely oil-free. Set the pan aside.
- Prepare the flax egg by combining the ground flax seeds and warm water. Stir and allow it to thicken for 3 minutes.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the almond milk, coconut sugar, and prepared flax egg.
- Sift in the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Mix the batter until just combined, then fold in the chopped apple.
- Transfer the batter to the prepared muffin pan, filling each muffin tin until it's nearly full.
- Prepare the crumble topping by combining the rolled oats, maple syrup, applesauce, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ground ginger in a small bowl.
- Portion approximately 1 teaspoon of the topping on each muffin, and using a spoon or spatula, evenly distribute it across the top. The topping should be slightly wet.
- Bake the muffins for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Allow to cool slightly and enjoy!
Notes [1]
I like to use a cookie dough scoop to evenly portion out the batter into the muffin tins.
Copyright © 2023 Amanda Maguire for Pickles & Honey
