1. Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or lightly grease it.
2. Prepare the Muffin Batter:
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- Mix the Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil (or melted butter), yogurt (or milk), egg, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry mixture, stirring until just combined. Do not overmix; it’s okay if the batter is a little lumpy.
- Fold in the Apples and Raisins: Gently fold the grated apples and raisins into the batter until evenly distributed.
3. Make the Almond Topping:
- Combine Topping Ingredients: In a small bowl, mix the sliced almonds, sugar, melted butter, and optional cinnamon together until the almonds are coated with the sugary mixture.
4. Assemble the Muffins:
- Fill the Muffin Cups: Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin tin, filling each cup about 2/3 full.
- Add the Almond Topping: Sprinkle the almond topping evenly over the top of each muffin, pressing it down gently so it adheres to the batter.
5. Bake the Muffins:
- Bake: Place the muffins in the preheated oven and bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
- Cool: Remove the muffins from the oven and let them cool in the tin for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips for Perfect Muffins:
- Don’t Overmix the Batter: To keep the muffins light and fluffy, mix the batter until the ingredients are just combined. Overmixing can make the muffins dense.
- Use Fresh Apples: Choose sweet and crisp apples like Gala, Honeycrisp, or Fuji for the best flavor and texture in the muffins.
- Add Extra Raisins: If you love raisins, feel free to add up to 3/4 cup for extra chewiness and sweetness.
Variations:
- Add Nuts: For extra crunch, fold in some chopped walnuts or pecans along with the apples and raisins.
- Spiced Muffins: For a spicier muffin, add a pinch of cloves or ginger to the dry ingredients.
- Dried Cranberries: Swap the raisins for dried cranberries to give the muffins a tangy twist.
Serving Suggestions:
- Warm with Butter: Serve these muffins warm with a pat of butter or a drizzle of honey for an extra indulgent treat.
- With Yogurt: Pair with a dollop of Greek yogurt for a wholesome breakfast or snack.
- With Tea or Coffee: These muffins make the perfect companion to a hot cup of tea or coffee.
Conclusion
These Apple and Raisin Muffins with Almond Topping are a delicious, wholesome treat packed with natural sweetness from the fruit and a delightful crunch from the almonds. They’re easy to make and perfect for busy mornings, afternoon snacks, or even as a dessert. Each bite offers a blend of textures and flavors that are sure to satisfy!