Salvation in Muffin Making

     Rough day + Mama Monday = a dangerous combination.  The whole point of creating a special time was to carve out precious quality moments with my kids.  It is hard to do that when things are extra challenging.  I couldn't face crafty projects like last week.  I wasn't feeling much of anything, really.  It is in these moments you dig.  You dig because you need to.  You need to get out of your own way when you have kids and do what is best for them...for you...for the family.  Dig.  Dig.  Deeper.  Take a deep breath and find the second wind or sixth one depending on the day.  Pile on top of a challenging day the lack of food and basics in the house and come up with a recipe you can make together.  Dig.  Dig even more.  Find the teaching moments.  Find the inspirations.  Create something wonderful out of something hard. 
     You come up with the best dang muffins you have made thus far....and I make some pretty good muffins! Yes, they are all from a beloved book titled, "Muffins A to Z" by Marie Simmons but they still count.  I turned the stained pages of the regulars and favorites and found one that I have always skipped...until today.  And if someone says they hate coconut or nuts or carrots or whatever the heck they whine about do what we did....don't tell people what is in 'em...just let them taste.  THEN you can tell them because by that point they are in love!

Favorite Steiger Haus Carrot & Apple Muffins

Topping (Optional)
2 T sugar
2 tsp ground cinnamon

Batter
2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cups sugar
2 tsp baking soda, sieved
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups peeled, grated carrot (about 4 medium)
1 cup peeled, cored, grated apple (1 large apple), plus slices for optional topping
1/2 cup finely chopped hazlenuts
1/2 cup dried currants or raisins
1/2 cup flaked sweetened coconut
1 cup vegetable oil
3 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla

Mix topping ingredients and set aside.  Preheat the oven to 400°.  Lightly butter 12 muffin cups or coat with nonstick cooking spray. 
Batter: Combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in large bowl.  Stir in the carrots, apples, hazelnuts, raisins and coconut. 
In a separate bowl , whisk together the oil, eggs and vanilla.  Add to the dry ingredients all at once and fold just until evenly moistened.  Do not overmix. 
Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups.  Top each muffin with an apple slice, if using, and sprinkle with a little of the optional cinnamon-sugar topping.  Bake until the tops are golden and a toothpick inserted in the centers comes out clean, 20-25 minutes. 
Cool on wire rack before removing from the pan.