Don't let the long list of ingredients discourage you. Well worth the effort, enjoy for breakfast or school lunches.

Apple Cinnamon Crunch Muffins

Streusel Topping:

1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon butter

 

Muffins:
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup milk
1/3 cup ricotta cheese
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
1 large egg
2 egg whites
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 apple, cored, peeled and finely chopped

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Line a muffin pan with paper muffins cups and lightly coat them with vegetable or canola oil spray.
3. For Streusel Topping: Combine 1/3 cup sugar, 2 tablespoons flour, cinnamon, and butter. Rub the mixture together with your fingers to make coarse crumbs, and set aside.
4. For Muffins: In a large bowl combine 2 1/2 cups flour, 1 cup sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, allspice. In a separate bowl combine together, buttermilk, milk, ricotta, canola oil, corn syrup, egg, egg whites and vanilla; whisk until smooth. Stir in apple and pour mixture into dry ingredients, mixing just until all ingredients are moist.
5. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups, filling 3/4 full; sprinkle the top of each muffin with some of the streusel mixture.
6. Bake for approximately 20 minutes. Muffins should be light golden brown and a cake tester inserted into the center should come out clean. Remove from oven, cool in pan for 10 minutes before removing to cool completely. Store in an airtight container.

Makes 1 dozen muffins.