Fall is my favorite season, the changing colors, the smell of fallen leaves and wet soil, it is truly amazing. This year my partner Patrick and I picked several giant reusable bags of apples from my parents’ neighbors backyard. We turned them into apple cider, dehydrated apple slices, an apple pie and two giant pots of applesauce.
Applesauce is so easy to make, simple core, peel and chop your apples (which did take me a few hours to do as there were so many apples) on medium to medium-low heat you throw in a stick of cinnamon and let the apples cook down until they have completely broken down. If you know how to can you can always can the applesauce, or simply freeze it. I currently have enough applesauce to make batches of these muffins all winter long.
Though it was only the beginning of September, the day was rather cool. I was very eager to pick apples, but realized soon enough, even with our ladder than I was a little too small for this tall tree. Patrick took over to post of picking apples from the tree and I ensured that the ladder stayed put and the apples went into the bag.
To pick the best apples, use one hand and gently turn the apple if it does not come off easily it needs some more time on the tree. The apples we picked were organic and had no pest control so I just picked them all even if they had a hole or two, I just cut that out later on.
These muffins are wonderfully spiced with chai tea, which I ground down finely in a coffee grinder. Chai pairs beautifully with apple and honey and it a very warming combination of spices during to be had during the fall and winter season.
Chai is the Indian word for tea, derived from the Chinese word for tea, cha. Chai encompasses many different types of tea within the countries, though the most popular which has gathered global attention is masala chai. This form of chai has the addition of masala spices, which are popular in various Indian cuisines. The spices include cardamom pods, peppercorn, cinnamon, fennel seeds, cloves, star anise, and fresh ginger.
Not only is the combination of spices warming, but they are also incredibly healing for the digestive system. They aid in balancing blood sugar levels and are beneficial for heart health.
These are such delicious muffins, perfect as a snack or for a light dessert.
If you try out this recipe let us know! Leave a comment, rate it and tag a photo #holistickenko on Instagram!
These muffins will disappear quickly, but they are so easy to make you can get them done in the morning or right before bed. vegan and gluten-free they are kid-friendly and boyfriend/husband approved. Let me know how they turn out for you!
Have a positively filled rest of your week!!
Amanda
Apple Chai Muffins
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp masala chai ground – I used a caffeine free blend made with rooibos
- 1 tsp vanilla bean or extract
- 1 cup applesauce unsweetened
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1/3 cup + 2 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 2/3 cup almond meal
- 3/4 cup maple syrup or honey
- 1/2 tbsp molasses
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinager
- 1/2 tsp himalayan salt
- 1 cup rice flour or 1/3 cup coconut flour + 1 tbsp
- 2/3 cup arrowroot flour
- 1 cup peeled and chopped apple pieces honey crisp or pink lady
- top with crushed raw walnuts (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a muffin tin with paper muffin cups.
- In a large mixing bowl combine all the dry ingredients. Ground chai, baking soda, baking powder, almond meal, arrowroot flour, coconut flour and salt. Blend well with a whisk.
- In a smaller mixing bowl combine the wet ingredients, make sure that the applesauce is not cold or it will solidify the coconut oil and we do not want that. Vanilla extract, applesauce, coconut oil, honey or maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, molasses. Combine well with the whisk.
- Combine the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, do not over mix. Once the batter begins to rise a bit gently fold in the apple pieces.
- Evenly divide the batter into the muffin cups, top with crushed walnuts. It will make 12 regular muffins or 8 large muffins.
- Bake the muffins for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean from the center.
Nutrition
