APPLE CINNAMON MAPLE STREUSEL MUFFINS

APPLE CINNAMON MAPLE STREUSEL MUFFINS image

Yield 18 muffins

Number Of Ingredients 18

2½ cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt
1¼ tsp. ground cinnamon
¾ cup old-fashioned oats
8 tbsp. unsalted butter, at room temperature
½ cup packed brown sugar
2/3 cup applesauce
2 large eggs
1½ tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup milk
¾ cup butterscotch chips
¾ cup chopped apples
For the streusel topping (optional):
1/4 cup flour
2 tbsp maple syrup
2 tbsp brown sugar

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 350˚ F. Line the wells of two muffin pans with paper liners (about 18 liners total). Set aside. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Mix lightly with a fork to blend. Stir in the oats. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter and sugar until light and smooth, 1-2 minutes. Beat in the applesauce, eggs and vanilla extract until incorporated. With the mixer on low speed, mix in the dry ingredients in three additions alternately with the milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients and beating just until incorporated. Fold in the butterscotch chips and apples with a rubber spatula. In a small bowl, stir together the flour, syrup, and brown sugar until combined. It will likely be thick and clumpy but that's what you want. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared muffin cups (a large cookie/ice cream scoop works great for this). If desired, divide the streusel topping between each muffin cup. Bake about 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.