Caramel Apple Doughnut Muffins

Today I baked Caramel Apple Doughnut Muffins for our Thanksgiving breakfast tomorrow.  I found the recipe in Taste of Home and I was happy with how they turned out.  They are actually sort of healthy.  The muffins contain fresh apple and they are mini muffins, so having a couple of them won't fill me up too much for our big holiday dinner later on.  They resemble mini doughnuts because they are dipped in melted butter, sugar, and cinnamon after coming out of the oven.  There is also a caramel sauce to make that is perfect for dipping the muffins.  They're a special fall treat that will be a perfect start to our Thanksgiving. 

Ingredients:

• 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 large egg
• 3/4 cup 2% milk
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 medium apple, peeled and finely chopped (about 1 cup)
• CARAMEL SAUCE:
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream, warmed
• 2 tablespoons creme fraiche or sour cream
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• COATING:
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°.  In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and nutmeg.  In another bowl, whisk egg, milk, oil and vanilla until blended.  Add to flour mixture; stir just until moistened.  Fold in apple.
2. Fill greased mini-muffin cups three-fourths full.  Bake 15-17 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.  Cool 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks.
3. Meanwhile, for caramel sauce, in a small heavy saucepan, combine sugar and water; stir gently to moisten all the sugar.  Cook over medium heat, gently swirling pan occasionally, until syrup turns a medium amber color, about 8-10 minutes.
4. Remove from heat; gradually stir in warm cream.  Transfer to a small bowl; place bowl in an ice-water bath, stirring frequently until cooled, about 5 minutes.  Remove bowl from ice water. Whisk in creme fraiche, vanilla and salt.
5. For coating, combine sugar and cinnamon.  Dip tops of warm muffins in butter, then coat in cinnamon-sugar.  Serve muffins with caramel sauce. Yield: 4 dozen (scant 1 cup sauce).