The Best Apple Pie Muffins Ever

Ingredients

      Topping
          o 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
          o 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
          o 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
          o 1 teaspoon cinnamon
      Muffins
          o 1 1/2 cups firmly packed brown sugar
          o 2/3 cup vegetable oil
          o 1 eggs
          o 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
          o 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
          o 1 teaspoon baking soda
          o 1/4 teaspoon salt
          o 1 cup buttermilk
          o 2 cups diced peeled firm tart apples (such as Spy, Granny Smith)

Directions:

Note: cinnamon could be added to the batter (about 1 teaspoon or less).

Topping: In a small bowl toss together sugar, flour, butter and cinnamon until crumbly; set aside.

Muffins: In a large bowl whisk together brown sugar, oil, egg and vanilla until smooth. In a separate bowl, sift together flour, soda and salt.
Stir oil mixture into flour mixture alternately with buttermilk.
Fold in apples, mixing just until combined.
Spoon into greased muffin cups filling 3/4 full.
Sprinkle topping over evenly.

Bake at 350̊F for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown and tops spring back.

Prep Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 45 mins

original recipe: http://www.food.com/recipe/the-best-apple-pie-muffins-ever-110506

My Substitutions:

I only use 1 cup brown sugar, instead of 1 1/2 cups.
I use 1/3 cup oil; 1/3 cup applesauce instead of 2/3 cup oil.
I make my own buttermilk by putting 2 tsp. lemon juice into the milk.
For the apples, I've been using crushed up dried cannery apples, which I rehydrate with boiling water (I only do this to eliminate the chore of peeling and chopping apples)
Soy or almond milk can be used to make them dairy free.