Apple Muffins

Preheat oven to 400ºF.

Ingredients

1½ cups flour
⅔ cup sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
¼ tsp. nutmeg
¼ cup butter or margarine, softened
1 egg
½ cup milk or apple cider
1 cup apple, peeled and finely chopped or coarsely grated (1 medium)

Method

Sift the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg into a large mixing bowl. Add the butter, egg, and milk or cider, and cut them in with a pastry blender or two knives until barely mixed - just long enough to moisten the dry ingredients. Stir in the apple. Spoon into the prepared pan. Top with streusel, if desired. Bake at 400ºF for 20 to 25 minutes or until done.

Cortland apples hold their shape best, but other varieties, with the exception of tart green ones, are good as well.

Top with Streusel Mixture if desired. See recipe.