Apple Spice Muffins with Spiced Crumble Topping

I always forget how much I love apples until Autumn rolls around and all of these gorgeous, flavorful apples start popping up all over grocery stores. Apple spice muffins are among my favorite muffin treats AND they are pretty darn healthy (comparatively). These muffins in particular are delightful! They have perfect density - not too light and not too dense. The spice is present, but not overwhelming, and the crumble topping adds a nice texture. This recipe works best with crisp apples like granny smith, fuji, ambrosia or even braeburn. Go wild! These are great year round!

Muffin Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup applesauce
• 1 cup vanilla soymilk (or any non-dairy milk)
• 4 tbsp margarine, melted
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 cups flour
• 3 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 cups diced apples (granny smith work great)
• 1/2 cup walnuts

Crumble Topping Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 cup oatmeal
• 1 tbsp margarine, melted

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 375 F. Grease a muffin tin (my baking time calls for a regular sized, 12 muffin tin, but adjust the time for larger or smaller muffins as you see fit)

Combine the vanilla, margarine, applesauce and soymilk in a large bowl.

In a separate bowl, combine (and sift, which I never really do) the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and sugar. Mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Be sure not to overmix, just until everything is combined.

Stir in the diced apples and the walnuts.Distrubute batter between greased muffin cups.

For the crumble topping, combine the sugar, cinnamon and oatmeal in a bowl. Add the melted margarine and mix with a fork to get a crumble texture. Top the muffins with the crumble topping and gently press down on the topping so it sticks the the gooey batter.

Bake for 20-25 minutes. Enjoy!