This weekend my son and I went apple picking at Tougas Farm in Northboro, Massachusetts.
We hopped on the caravan pulled by a tractor and headed out to the apple orchard.
The staff told us which varieties of apples were ripe for picking - some varieties were great for baking while others were great for just munching. We had a good time filling up our bags and headed back to the tractor that brought us back to the farm stand where we paid for our apples.
There's a nice store with produce and baked goods. You can grab a sandwich if you like and eat at picnic tables. The kids will enjoy visiting farm animals and you'll all enjoy some fresh air.
Today I made these delicious apple muffins - a recipe I got from my sister Dottie. I used the Honeycrisp variety that we picked.
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Grandma's Apple Muffins
Prepare the Streusel topping.
Streusel topping:
In a small bowl mix together until crumbly:
1/2 cup flour
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 c. melted butter or margarine.
Set aside.
For the muffins:
1 1/2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons each baking powder and cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cloves
1 cup chopped apples
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
2 eggs
1/2 cup buttermilk - see substitution below
1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted
Buttermilk substitute: Pour 1/2 TB distilled white vinegar into a liquid measuring cup, then add enough milk to reach the 1 cup line. Stir, then let mixture sit for 5-10 minutes. (Remember to use only one half cup of this buttermilk substitute for the recipe.)
In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, soda, and cloves. Add apple and walnuts; toss to coat.
In a small bowl, beat eggs with a fork; then beat in buttermilk and butter. Add flour mixture; stir just until blended.
Fill greased muffin tins 2 thirds full. Sprinkle with streusel topping. Bake in a preheated 400 degree oven until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean - 15 to 25 minutes for regular sized muffins; 30 to 35 minutes for a 9 inch square coffee cake. Makes 36 miniature, 12 regular sized, 3 to 8 jumbo sized, or 1 9inch square cake.
