Apple-Cream Cheese Muffins

 

3/4

cup packed brown sugar

1 3/4

cups Gold Medal® all-purpose flour

1

teaspoon baking powder

1/2

teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2

teaspoon salt

2

eggs, beaten

2/3

cup oil

1/4

cup applesauce

1

teaspoon vanilla

1

large apple, peeled, shredded (about 1 cup)

1/3

cup cream cheese (from 8-oz package)

3

tablespoons packed brown sugar

2

tablespoons Gold Medal® all-purpose flour

1

tablespoon butter or margarine, softened

• 1 Heat oven to 350°F. Line 15 muffin cups with paper baking cups. Reserve 1 tablespoon of the brown sugar in the muffins for filling.
• 2 In large bowl with electric mixer, mix remaining brown sugar for muffins, 1 3/4 cups flour, the baking powder, cinnamon and salt on low speed until mixed. Reserve 1 tablespoon of the beaten egg for filling. Add oil, applesauce, vanilla and remaining egg to flour mixture. Beat on medium speed until mixed. With spoon, stir in apple.
• 3 In small bowl, mix cream cheese, the reserved 1 tablespoon brown sugar and reserved 1 tablespoon egg. Fill muffin cups slightly less than half full of batter. Top each with 1 teaspoon cream cheese mixture. Top with spoonful of remaining batter to fill cups 2/3 full. In small bowl, mix all streusel ingredients; sprinkle over batter.
• 4 Bake 22 to 26 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from pan. Cool slightly, about 10 minutes.