Apple and Cinnamon Muffins

Makes around 12 muffins
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 25 minutes

2 cups of self raising flour sifted
1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
2 teaspoons of cinnamon ground
2 cups of small diced fresh apple ( i used the royal gala apples in season)
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1 cup of caster sugar
1/2 cup of unsalted organic butter
2 large eggs
1/2 cup of milk
1 flat teaspoon of vanilla bean or vanilla essence (i used the fresh bean scraped)

Topping for muffins if desired

1/2 cup of melted butter
1/2 cup of granulated sugar with 2 teaspoons of cinnamon mixed in a bowl

Preheat oven fan forced around 160 degrees celcius.
Prepare muffin tin or muffin paper pans with some olive oil spray.

Sift together into one large bowl the flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt then set aside.

In another bowl toss two teaspoons of the flour ingredients into the fresh apples and mix through.

Then in another bowl cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, then mix in eggs one at a time slowly. Then at the end mix in the vanilla beans or vanilla essence.

Then in the large bowl with the flour combine the butter and sugar mixture all together alternating with the milk. Stir to combine then add the apple mixture stirring gently.

Place large spoonfuls into muffin tin about 1/2 - 3/4 full.

Bake these for around 30 minutes or until firm.

To prepare the topping melt the butter in a saucepan then set aside in a glass dipping bowl. In another bowl you have the sugar and cinnamon.  Dip each muffin in the butter then in the sugar mixture.

Place on plate to finish cooling off.

Vanilla bean cupcakes

Makes 12 cupcakes approx
Preparation Time : 15 minutes
Cooking Time : 25 minutes


2 eggs
Thickened cream
Vanilla bean extract or vanilla bean scraped (1/2 a bean) should be one teaspoon
3/4 cup caster sugar
1 cup self raising flour

Add the two eggs to a 250ml measuring cup and then fill to the 250ml mark with the thickened cream.  Pour into mixing bowl and beat with electric mixer for one minute or two.

Then add the teaspoon of vanilla bean to the mix and the sugar.  Beat this mix for 3-4 minutes. 

Then sift the flour into the mixture with wooden spoon until blended.  Place the mix one by one into the little muffin cups and bake for 20 minutes on 180 degrees celcius (350F) until they look golden brown.  This should make approx 12 and only fill the cups just under halfway as they puff up.

I used the CK icing for the toppings and my own decorations.