Apple Cider Muffins
Submitted by mum on January 15, 2011 at 4:50 pm

DESCRIPTION
The monster's don't get these... When we go to the orchard we pick a variety of apples and then use a mixture of them in the recipe.The deal is- I'll make them, but my son has to decide which apples we use. They freeze nicely- but these muffins can't seem to make to the freezer in our house. The applesauce can be made in advance and stored in the fridge until needed.(Bring to room temperature before using in muffin recipe.)

SUMMARY
Yield 18 muffins File under Fall / Apple Muffins

INGREDIENTS
APPLE CIDER APPLESAUCE

1 LB. APPLES, such as Braeburn, Gala, or Wine sap, peeled, cored and chopped
3/4 CUP APPLE CIDER
1 TBSP. SUGAR (optional)
PINCH OF SALT

Bring apples and cider to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Cover pan: reduce heat. Simmer until apples are very soft, about 12 minutes. Remove lid; stir in sugar and salt. (I usually omit the sugar- recipe doesn’t really need it.) Cook over medium heat until apples are broken up and most of the liquid is evaporated, about 15 minutes. Let cool.

MUFFINS

½ CUP BUTTER, softened
1 CUP SUGAR
½ CUP BROWN SUGAR
4 LARGE EGGS, room temp
1 ½ CUP APPLE CIDER APPLESAUCE (See above- or store bought)
2 CUPS FLOUR
1 tsp. EACH GROUND CINNAMON, GROUND GINGER, & BAKING SODA
3/4 tsp. SALT
½ tsp. NUTMEG
1/8 tsp. GROUND CLOVES
1 CUP RAISINS
1 CUP CHOPPED HAZELNUTS (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS
APPLE MUFFINS

(The ones the monsters never got...)

MAKES 18

APPLE CIDER APPLESAUCE

1 LB. APPLES, such as Braeburn, Gala, or Wine sap, peeled, cored and chopped

3/4 CUP APPLE CIDER

1 TBSP. SUGAR (optional)

PINCH OF SALT

Bring apples and cider to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Cover pan: reduce heat. Simmer until apples are very soft, about 12 minutes. Remove lid; stir in sugar and salt. (I usually omit the sugar- recipe doesn’t really need it.) Cook over medium heat until apples are broken up and most of the liquid is evaporated, about 15 minutes. Let cool.

Preheat oven to 350°. Line a standard muffin tin with paper liners. Cream the butter and the sugars until smooth, about 3 minutes. Mix in eggs, one at a time. On low speed, mix in the applesauce. Sift together all dry ingredients. Add to butter mixture. Stir in raisins if desired. Divide batter into muffin cups.Fill about 3/4 full. Bake until centers test clean, about 18-20 minutes. Let cool completely in the pan.

* My Son always smiles when I make these because the last line of a story I read to him called ‘One Hungry Monster’ states: ... “From behind the toaster, my secret hiding spot, I take an apple muffin the monster’s never got!”