Apple Muffins with a Crumble Topping

Now I must admit I am not a big fan of muffins, you would never see me buy one from a shop, but a home made muffin straight from the oven is a different matter.

The original recipe for these muffins was from a book - Scones, muffins & teatime treats by Family Circle.

These muffins aren't particularly sweet, but the crumble topping gives you a boost of sweetness,

You can alter the topping by adding chopped nuts or shredded coconut, but you need to keep 3 of the basics ingredients the flour, sugar and butter.

Apple Muffins with a Crumble Topping

Muffin - 2 cups plain flour, 1 tbsps baking powder, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground star anise, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1 apple grated - you don't need to peel the apple, 1 egg, 1/3 cup oil, 2/3 cup apple juice

Crumble topping - 2 tbsps each of plain flour, brown sugar, rolled oats & butter, 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Soften the butter a little - 10 seconds in the microwave. Using a fork mix the other ingredients into the butter. It should resemble a crumble topping.

The mixture makes 12 muffins.

Heat the oven to 180.c. Place a silicone muffin tray on a baking tray or line a normal muffin tray with paper muffin cases.

In a bowl mix together all the dry ingredients. In a measuring jug whisk together with a fork the wet ingredients, pour into the dry ingredients, using a wooden spoon mix gently until just combined, about 1 minute.

Place spoonfuls into the prepared tray. Then place heaped teaspoons of crumble on top.

Bake for 15 - 20 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted comes out clean. Cool on a cake rack.

Now I must admit that these are best eaten while still warm.