Monday, October 19, 2015

Apple Streusel Muffins


Every year we get a modest apple harvest
from our two dwarf trees. 

One tree in particular is my favorite,
  the Macoun apple tree.

The Macoun variety is a cross between
a McIntosh and a Jersey Black. 

The other tree is mostly for pollination
and for the wild things :) 
as it seems to attract worms.
I've forgotten the variety! 


For some reason, the moths avoid
the Macoun and I end up with 
about a bushel or more of delicious,
sweet-tart apples. 

Whitey Bear likes apples
and is waiting for me to offer him one! 


An apron full of deliciousness! 


I think the tree feels much lighter! 

You can see my Tansy in front of 
the tool-shed before harvest. 


The Russian ash trees, just beyond, always put on a 
beautiful show at this time of year.

I planted 3 several years ago. 

Sedum adds color in the foreground. 


I have 3 of these large sedum that bloom reliably every year
despite rainy winters and very dry summers.


The Russian ash trees as seen from the house.

The red begonia are reliable bloomers from May to first frost,
which doesn't happen until November, here in the foothills
of western Washington state.


Let's go inside....


A little humor :)


I love using fresh apples in baking this time of year.

This recipe uses whole wheat flour, buttermilk,
and applesauce.



Apple Muffins with Streusel Topping

Makes 12 large muffins.

Bake @ 375 degrees  for 25 minutes - 30 min.

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup whole-wheat flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
2-3 large tart apples, peeled and cut into small dice
(about 3 cups - reserving 1 cup for topping)
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 eggs
1 cup natural applesauce
1 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup buttermilk

Streusel Topping (optional)

3/4 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
3/4 cup oatmeal
1/2 cup cold butter
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 cup reserved chopped apples

For the muffins:
In small bowl, whisk together flours, baking soda,
cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Set aside.

Cream butter and brown sugar together in large mixing bowl
until well blended. Add eggs, beating well after each one.
Beat in applesauce and vanilla extract.

Add flour mixture and buttermilk, alternately,
a little at a time,
blending after each addition. Do not over-mix.

Fold in the 2 cups of diced apples.

Spoon into paper-lined muffin pan.

Streusel Topping

Mix brown sugar, flour, oatmeal, cinnamon and nutmeg
in medium mixing bowl.

Add cold butter, cut into pieces, using a pastry
blender or fork to mix until crumbly.

Add reserved cup of diced apples and mix well.

Sprinkle generously over tops of muffin batter in pan.

Bake at 375 degrees for 25- 30 minutes or until
toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Cool to room temperature and enjoy!

(If desired, eliminate the streusel topping and
substitute reserved cup of diced apple mixed with 1/4 cup
brown sugar)


So nice to enjoy one of these with a big mug of coffee
first thing in the morning,
or for an afternoon snack.


Very flavorful and moist - no need for butter!


Enjoying the seasonal color.


Small mementos of a morning walk.


That was delicious! Time to finish my coffee
and get back to work!

Wishing you a lovely week,
Dear Friends!

xoxo

"When bobbing for apples, an idealist
endlessly reaches for the best apple,
a pessimist settles for the first one within reach,
while an optimist drains the barrel,
fishes out all the apples and makes pie."

- Vera Nazarian -

xoxo

Today I am linking with:
Julie's Lifestyle - Cooking and Crafting with J&J

Cooking and Crafting with J & J Link Up

Come join the fun! 

36 comments:

  1. What a lovely post. Your trees are so colorful and pretty. Cute photo of your apple loving doggie. And your muffins looks and sound delicious. I will have to save this recipe. Thanks for sharing. Happy Monday, enjoy your new week!

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  2. HI Karen, I just came back from visiting my mom and sister in Ohio, with one of my sons, his wife, and two granddaughters and we went to an apple orchard and picked a variety of apples. It was such fun! Your muffins look delicious and I love streuse topping. I enjoyed your outdoors and your pretty view from your home.

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  3. Dearest Karen, not only your apron but all your world is filled with deliciousness and sweetness. I'm always happy to visit your beautiful cottage in the woods and feel your warm welcome. Harvesting apple trees in your own property is the highlight of the season isn't it? Your area looks so charming at this time of year. Thanks for the recipe, I crave apple cakes and muffins.
    Enjoy!
    Olympia

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  4. Your apples look delicious especially with your lovely dog waiting to be given one and those apple muffins sound delicious, I don't bake very often these days, as the trouble is it's me who cleans the bowl, then has to try the first one straight out of the oven before Mr France even knows I've been baking cakes.

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  5. This is a lovely Autumn post. I am envious of your Apples. My plum and apple trees had no fruit this yr. I will be back to visit your post again. Thelma xo

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  6. How nice it must be to just walk out your kitchen door and pick apples from your own tree!!! You have a beautiful place, and looks even more beautiful surrounded by fall colors! The muffins look so yummy...my mouth is watering!

    BTW...love the sign! We have one similar to yours!

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  7. Your muffins look delicious, thanks for the recipe. x

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  8. I love apples. I can't eat any for now, but I'm keeping the recipe for later.

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  9. Delicious!!! Although how you could NOT have the topping as well! I am sure that makes them doubly good!!! xx

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  10. Karen, your post just fills me up with autumn happiness! I love all the pictures and those apples are gorgeous! The muffins, oh gosh, don't get me started! Thank you for sharing with us!

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  11. Mmmm....now you've made me want to go bake some muffins! Lots of autumn loveliness here.

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  12. OH my...that looks delicious...and I still have some apples to pick!

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  13. It's very warm here but I can dream of cool misty days with hot coffee and your very yummy looking muffins.
    Merle.........

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  14. The muffins looks so very good!

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  15. i love to cook with fresh apples too - love the cinnamon! I'll give these a try soon. Thanks for sharing!

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  16. Those muffins look so delicious! Thanks for sharing the recipe :-) Love your sign too, lol.
    Have a great evening.

    Blessings,
    Jill

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  17. WOW what a beautiful harvest of apples. Thanks for sharing your recipe.They look so good. I love seeing your sweet pooch waiting for an apple. Just too adorable.
    Love your porch and all the fall color around your home. Enjoy the season and thank you for stopping by. Hugs, cm

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  18. Dear Karen,
    your apple streusel muffins look wonderful and so delicious! Thank you for the recipe!
    Your apple harvest is georgeous! A wonderful and healthy looking appletree!
    The Sedums I have in my garden too, and I lwave the flowers in wintertime for the birds, they love the seeds!
    Wihing you a wonderful and joyful week,
    Love , hugs and blessings,
    Claudia xo

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  19. Beautiful post! Love the picture of your apple tree. It looks like it is dripping apples. The muffins sound so good also. A good place to have your afternoon treat and view the beauty.

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  21. What a bountiful harvest of apples you have. Those apple streusel muffins looks delicious...I could do with one right now. =) That vignette from your opened door to the deck and the far off mountains is breathtaking. What glorious trees surround your beautiful cottage!

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  22. What a wonderful harvest, the photos are great, and I can almost taste and smell those great looking apple muffins.

    Thank you for sharing your lovely home and beautiful surroundings. They exude peace!

    FlowerLady

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  23. What a lovely place you have there, Karen, and all those wonderful apples to boot. I love the Fall with all the colors and apples and just knowing I need to enjoy before winter comes. Have a great week.

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  24. OMG Karen! Wow these muffins look amazing and I bet are delicious. How nice to have the apples fresh from your apple tree!
    Thanks for sharing your recipe to make them with us at Cooking and Crafting with J & J.
    Enjoy your week.
    Julie xo

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  25. I love your apple tree and the muffins look delicious. ( I think I feel a craving for apples coming on). As mentioned earlier, how lucky you are to have your own trees and be able to enjoy all their freshness. The picture of Whitey Bear patiently waiting an apple treat is precious. He looks like an official "Quality Assurance" apple inspector.

    Have you ever entertained the thought of opening a bed & breakfast? You have such a wonderful home, beautiful gardens, a stunning view, adorable dogs and you make some yummy baked goods. :-)

    Marilyn (in Dallas)

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    1. Oh, Marilyn, you are so sweet! I am enjoying the solitude after raising the kids and their various friends and cousins - until the grandkids start hanging out, which I will love! Thank you so much for your sweet visits - I wish we could share a cuppa and sweet treat together! Hugs xo Karen

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  26. Wow it does look like you were able to get a lot of apples, how wonderful to have them right there for the picking. The Russian ash trees have a lovely shade of color to them, it is just glowing. Your recipe sounds so good I will have to pin that for later. Such a lovely place to sit and enjoy a nice snack and break from work. Fun quote at the end there too

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  27. Karen, your apple muffins look delicious. I wish I had one to go with my morning coffee right now. : ) I really like the "bucket of apples" picture. I love anything APPLE during this Fall season. There is a place that we go to every year called Apple Hill, and they sell apple cider, caramel apples, apple pie........it's all so yummy. That is so awesome that you have an apple tree right in your front yard! Your trees are starting to turn the wonderful colors of Fall.

    I really enjoy seeing bits of your home, Karen. It is always so welcoming to me.

    ~Sheri

    ps I LOVE that picture of Whitey Bear!

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  28. Your door is so welcoming Karen, and the muffins look wonderfully delicious. I'd love to join you for a cup of coffee and a muffin and enjoy the views outside your windows. Have a beautiful day.

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  29. YUMMMMY! These sound so incredible! Love the idea!

    Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!

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  30. Love this perfectly Autumn post! I ate up every photo - not to mention I'd love to eat up those muffins! They sound absolutely delicious and my kind of breakfast! ;)
    xoxo

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  31. I love that shot of you and apron full of apples. It reminds me of my grandmother; she loved apples. Your apple muffins looks divine and I am sure they are very tasty...Thanks for the recipe....

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  32. Loving all the photos and wow yummy muffin.. Thanks for sharing!!!

    Hugs

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  33. Dearest Karen,
    What a lovely color that Russian Ash is giving you.
    Love your apples too and Whitey Bear waiting for his.
    You did bring back fond memories of my Mauzie Dachshund, she LOVED to eat apples. She made Barty the cat claw an apple off the fruit bowl, down onto the floor. When my aunt (who cleaned the home for me every week, while I worked full time) asked me one day what we are doing with all those apple cores that get hidden behind the heating elements. I told her that I'd caught Barty once, doing this act while Mauzie did wait on the floor for her apple being delivered. Eating it till the core and than hiding it out of sight... Little devils!
    Love your apple Streusel with the mug of coffee. So perfect for the season and great comfort for warming your stomach and your hands.
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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  34. Your property and home is so beautiful. I love your apple tree. The muffins look delicious.

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  35. Such a great crop of apples you have gotten from your little trees, and the muffins look amazing! Love your shot looking out of the window with the scrabble letters saying Happy Fall..... so cute.

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Thank you for stopping by! Your comments are important to me and are very much appreciated. xx Karen

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