Close your eyes.  Picture this.  You're laying in bed and suddenly the aroma of baking apples tickles your nose.  MMMMM!  Taste of Home's Apple Crisp Muffins and a hot cup of coffee, what else could actually "make" you want to get out of that snugly bed?

Surprise your family with that scenario!  Here's the recipe...oh, and DID I MENTION THERE'S CREAM CHEESE IN THE MIDDLE!!!!!!!!!!

INGREDIENTS

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/3 cup packed brown sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 egg, beaten

1 cup 2% milk

1/2 cup canola oil

2 cups finely chopped peeled apples

 

FILLING:

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened

2 tablespoons maple syrup

4 teaspoons grated orange peel

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

 

TOPPING:

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup old-fashioned oats

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

3 tablespoons cold butter

1/4 cup chopped pecans

DIRECTIONS

In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. In another bowl, combine the egg, milk and oil. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in apples. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups three-fourths full.

In a small bowl, beat the filling ingredients until smooth. Drop by tablespoonfuls into centers of muffins.

For topping, in a small bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar and cinnamon. Cut in butter until crumbly. Stir in pecans. Sprinkle over filling. Bake at 400° for 16-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in muffin comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan to wire rack. Yield: 1 dozen.

 

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