Apple Muffins

Imagine waking up to the delightful aroma of freshly baked apple muffins wafting through your home. These moist and flavorful treats are the perfect way to start your day or enjoy as a sweet snack with a cup of tea. Packed with juicy apples and warm spices, these apple muffins are sure to become a family favorite. So, roll up your sleeves and let’s get baking!

**Apple Muffins**

**Ingredients:**
– 2 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 teaspoon baking powder
– 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
– 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
– 2 large eggs
– 1/2 cup granulated sugar
– 1/2 cup brown sugar
– 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
– 1/2 cup milk
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 2 cups diced apples (peeled and cored)
– 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

**Instructions:**
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a muffin tin with paper liners or grease with non-stick cooking spray.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well combined.
3. In another bowl, beat the eggs, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth and creamy.
4. Gradually pour in the melted butter while continuing to mix. Add the milk and vanilla extract, stirring until fully incorporated.
5. Slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps in the batter are okay.
6. Gently fold in the diced apples and chopped walnuts, if using, until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
7. Using a spoon or an ice cream scoop, divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups, filling each about three-quarters full.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
9. Remove the muffins from the oven and allow them to cool in the tin for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
10. Serve the apple muffins warm or at room temperature. They can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.

These apple muffins are a wonderful way to embrace the flavors of the season and bring a touch of sweetness to your day. Whether enjoyed for breakfast, as a snack, or as a special treat for friends and family, these moist and delicious muffins are sure to please. So, the next time you have a few apples on hand, give this recipe a try and indulge in the cozy comfort of homemade apple muffins.