Chef Tom's Autumn Apple Crumb Coffee Cake Muffins

When the cooler weather arrives here in the mountains of Western North Carolina, Tom and I enjoy warming the house up by baking a batch of Autumn Apple Crumb Coffee Cake Muffins. These muffins are lightly sweetened with maple or brown rice syrup (or a combination of both!) making them the perfect addition to a delicious organic cup of morning coffee or tea or any time of day. We prefer making this recipe with muffins for easy enjoyment, however you can also bake this recipe in a 9 inch stainless steel cake pan. 

MAKES 12 Muffins

DRY INGREDIENTS

• 1½ cups organic whole wheat pastry flour, sifted
• ½ cup organic white unbleached flour, sifted
• 2 tsp non-aluminum baking powder, heaping
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp sea salt

WET INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup organic soymilk
• ¼ cup organic safflower or sunflower oil
• ¼ cup organic maple or brown rice syrup
• 2 Tlb organic lemon juice
• ½ tsp organic vanilla

APPLES, NUTS & RAISINS

• 2 apples, peeled and cut into small cubes (about 2 cups) 
• ½ cup organic pecans or walnuts, chopped
• ¼ cup organic raisins (optional) 

CRUMB TOPPING

• ¾ cup organic pastry flour
• ¼ tsp cinnamon
• 1 pinch sea salt
• 2 Tlb organic maple or brown rice syrup
• 2 Tlb organic safflower or sunflower oil
• ½ tsp organic vanilla 

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Place natural muffin papers in 12 cup muffin pan.
2. Prepare crumb topping by mixing flour, salt together in a small bowl. Slowly pour in maple syrup, oil and vanilla and mix with fork or fingers until you have a mixture of crumbs and tiny balls. Set aside. 
3. Sift all dry ingredients into medium size baking bowl. 
4. Add liquid ingredients in a 2 cup measuring cup and whisk until foamy. Pour into bowl with dry ingredients and mix until well combined.
5. Stir in apples, nuts and raisins into batter.
6. Spoon into muffin cups, top with crumb topping mixture, lightly pressing crumbs on top of muffin batter. 
7. Bake about 35 - 40 minutes until center bounces back from being pressed in lightly with your finger or inserting a toothpick into center and when it comes out clean (or with just a few crumbs, the muffins are done.
8. Remove, cool and enjoy!

NATURAL LIFESTYLE MARKET 

• 12 Cup Stainless Steel Muffin Pans >
• 6 Cup Stainless Steel Muffin Pans >
• 6 Cup JUMBO Stainless Steel Muffin Pans > 
• 9 Inch Stainless Steel Cake Pan > 
• Sweet Cloud Organic Brown Rice Syrup >