Carrot Apple Craisin Mini Muffins are variation of carrot cake, omitting the pineapple and coconut, and instead using apples, Craisins and wheat bran! Who would have thought that they would have tasted so good!
¼cup(2-ounces, ½ stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
2Tablespoonsvegetable oil
1extra-large egg, room temperature
½cup(3.5-ounces) granulated sugar
¼cup(1.875-ounces) light brown sugar, firmly packed
⅓cup(2.67-ounces) buttermilk
1 ½teaspoonsground cinnamon
⅛teaspoonnutmeg
1teaspoonbaking soda
½teaspoonKosher salt
1Tablespoon(.5 ounces) Calvados (See Tip 1)
1cup(5-ounces) all-purpose flour
½cup(1.125 ounces) wheat bran
1cupgrated carrots, grated with small grater blade
1Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored, and grated with small grater blade
¼cup(1-ounce) Craisins
½cup(2-ounces) chopped pecans, toasted (See Tip 2)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray cups of mini muffin pan with non-stick spray.
In a large bowl, beat together eggs, butter, oil, egg, granulated sugar, brown sugar, buttermilk, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and Calvados. Add flour and wheat bran; stir just until combined. Add carrot, apple, Craisins and pecans; stir just until combined.
Using 1-½inch ice cream scoop, fill mini muffin cavities ¾ full.
Bake in preheated 350°F oven for 15 to 18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean. Let cool in pan for 5 minutes. Remove to a wire rack and completely.
Yield: 2-½ dozen mini muffins.
Tips/Notes
May use any good brandy or 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract in place of Calvados.
Toast pecans in a single layer and toast at 350°F for about 8 minutes. Watch carefully to ensure that the pecans don't over toast.