Apple Cheddar Muffins

Alex has been sick twice now in two weeks and is in fact, still recovering at the moment. Today is day six of the second round and I think he’s finally reaching the point where he can’t stand being sick anymore. He told Keith and me tonight that he needs to get better. Believe me kiddo, I’ll grant you that wish if I could. :)

Can you believe that Thanksgiving is in three weeks? Before the cooking frenzy starts, here’s another easy-peasy recipe for all those apples. The muffins turned out moist and super-delicious, with a surprising extra depth of flavor from the Cheddar. Enjoy!

{Slightly adapted from the Apple Cheese Muffins recipe in the Apple Kitchen Cookbook by Demetria Taylor}
½ cup unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
½ cup light brown sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
1½ cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
¾ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
1⅓ cups finely chopped, peeled apples
⅔ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
½ cup walnuts, coarsely chopped (optional)
¾ cup milk
12 thin slices peeled apples
Turbinado sugar

Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease a 12-cup muffin pan or line with baking cups (tip: spraying baking cups with cooking spray will prevent muffins from sticking to the paper). In a large bowl, cream butter and light brown sugar with a wooden spoon. Add eggs, one at a time, stirring well to incorporate into butter mixture. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, and stir into butter mixture. Add oats, apples, cheese, walnuts (if using), and milk; mix well. Fill the muffin pan, dividing the batter evenly. Then, coat apple slices with turbinado sugar and press one slice into batter in each muffin cup. If you prefer, sprinkle more turbinado sugar on top of muffins. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and let muffins cool in the pan for a minute or two. Then, transfer muffins out of the pan to a cooling rack and cool completely.