Apple Muffins

Recently my dear son has been requesting for muffins! After finishing the Green Tea Muffins, he actually asked me to bake some apple muffins!? I've bookmarked this particular recipe for quite some time, therefore immediately get down to make a batch yesterday night! So this morning he managed get one packed in his snack box :D :D

Recipe adapted (with modifications) from Food-4Tots

Ingredients

• 100gm unsalted butter
• 100gm castor sugar
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 150gm top flour
• 50gm plain flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp baking soda
• 120ml milk
• Pinch of salt

Apple filling:

• 2 large apples (about 300gm each) – retain 100gm as topping
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 2 tbsp lemon juice

Methods

1. Pre-heat oven to 220°c.
2. Prepare apple filling: First, cut out one slice (about 100g with skin) to reserve as topping. Soak into salted water for a while to prevent discoloration and set aside. Peel and slice the rest of the apples to about 1.5cm thickness. Core and cut into 3mm “triangle”slice. Then add apple slices, sugar and lemon to a cooking pan. Using a wooden spatula, cook with medium high heat until the water is fully evaporated and the apple slices turn soft. Set aside to cool.
3. Mix cake flour, plain flour, baking powder and baking soda together and sieve. Set aside.
4. Using electric mixer, cream butter until light and pale.
5. Add in sugar and continue to beat until light and fluffy. Add sugar in 2-3 times and make sure the mixture is well blended for each addition.
6. Add in lightly beaten egg and beat until well mix. Then add in salt and mix again.
7. Add in half of the milk and mix well. Sift in half of the flour mixture. Use a hand whisk to gently fold in the flour mixture. Continue with the remaining half of the milk and flour mixture until well combined. With a rubber spatula, scrape off any mixture that is sticking to the side and bottom of the bowl.
8. Add in apple filling and stir until just incorporated.
9. Spoon batter even into the muffin cups until 85% full.
10. Take the reserved apples and cut into tiny strip. Sprinkle on top of the muffins.
11. Bake in the oven at 200°c for 10 minutes and then reduce to 180°c for another 10 minutes or until the muffins have risen and turned golden brown. Insert a toothpick into the center to test. If it comes out clean, it means that the muffins are cooked.
12. After the baking time is over, leave the muffins inside with the oven door shut. Let the residue heat in the oven cook the muffins for a further 2 minutes.
13. Transfer to a cooling rack. Best to serve warm.