Ridiculous!! This is a feel good treat. I categorized it as “Pantry Staples” because you can use really any type of fruit you have in the kitchen. The aroma while it bakes in the oven – the cinnamon and brown sugar topping – is what sells homes. So if you are a real estate agent, this is what your sellers need to bake before an open house – forget the candles, just bake. This recipe has been making the rounds, this is my version of the apple fritter muffin. I know, I always tell you to make a recipe the way the Chef writes it before you make variations, but really – apple, cinnamon and brown sugar, did I really have to try it as is?! Some tips below or feel free to jump directly to the recipe.

My variations are the addition of pear and a mango white cheddar (because I had it in my fridge) – a firm ripened cheese. But again, any type of cheddar or even a nice Stilton would go well with this. If you don’t have any of these, you could just leave it out, but it does add a nice texture as it melts into the muffin batter both in the center and on the top. I mixed the grated apple with (broken crumbs) of the pear/cheddar and 1 tsp of the brown sugar/cinnamon mix (left enough for the 24 cubes and cinnamon sugar to go on top). Fruits were juicy so lots of liquid was released. If this happens, gently squeeze it and set aside. Use the juice in a smoothie or something, maybe fruit salad. I did use a whisk to mix and pretty straight forward after that.

Make these any day, in other words – good eating anytime! Really, ridiculous, and don’t we all need some “ridiculousness” in these times.  By the way, these were just as good after 4 days in the fridge!  Stay safe, stay healthy and as always – enjoy!

1/3 cup brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
2/3 cup white sugar
1/2 cup butter
2 eggs
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cup all purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup Greek yogurt
1 apple, grated
1 pear, grated
12 cubes of cheddar, each cube 1 cm (approximately, more or less, about – come on, it’s a flavoring!)

Preheat the oven to 350f – grease/spray a 12 cup muffin tin – set aside
Mix the brown sugar and cinnamon together – set aside
Whisk the flour and baking powder together – set aside
Beat the butter and sugar together until well mixed, smooth – I did this using a whisk, didn’t feel like using the mixer
Add the eggs, one at a time, whisk them into the butter mixture until fully incorporated – everything comes together when you add the egg
Add the vanilla, whisk again
Using a spatula, add the flour and yogurt – bring everything together – do not over mix
I put about 1 tbsp of the batter into each cup and with a dampened finger, just pressed it down to flatten and build a bit of a ridge around the edges
Divide the grated apple mixture among the 12 cups placing it in the middle of each
Top with the remaining batter, wet your finger and gently flatten out the tops
Top with the cubed cheese and sprinkle with the cinnamon sugar
Bake for 15 – 17 minutes (check first at 13 minutes)
Let cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then remove to a rack – be gentle please
Warm or cold, these will give you a ridiculously happy feeling!