Double Apple & Cinnamon Muffins

Brr!  It's frigid out there today!  After the school bus picked my daughter up this morning, I was so happy to wrap up in a fleece blanket with hot coffee in one hand and one of these muffins in the other.  These muffins are so moist and packed with sweet apples in every bite!              

Ingredients:
Yields 12 muffins

• 1 1/2 c all-purpose flour 
• 3/4 c packed brown sugar (use 1 c if you prefer a sweeter muffin)
• 2 tsp baking powder 
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon 
• 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg 
• 1/2 tsp salt 
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 c butter, softened 
• 1/3 c milk 
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract 
• 2 apples, peeled, cored and diced 
• Optional:  1/4 c walnuts, chopped 
• Sanding sugar, for topping

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  

In a large bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt.  

In a separate large bowl, beat together the eggs, butter, milk and vanilla.

Gradually stir the flour mixture into the egg mixture until just combined, being careful to not over-beat. Stir in the apples and optional walnuts.  The batter will be thick.

Fill muffin pans 2/3 full with the batter.  Sprinkle sanding sugar over the top of each muffin.  

Bake for 22 to 28 minutes (25 minutes in my oven), until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Allow the muffins to cool for 5 minutes in the pan.  

Enjoy!