Apple Cinnamon Bun Muffins

     This is so incredibly easy to do, nobody will believe it only took you a few minutes - maybe 30 at the most - and a few ingredients.  The middle of each muffin puffs up to form a delicious center mixed with the apples, while the outside is crispy and buttery.  I just talked myself right into another one and it is even better than I described.  Give these a try and impress your friends and family. They will wonder when you took a baking class.

1 1/2 cups chopped, peeled tart apples
1/2 cup raisins
8 Tablespoons of sugar (= 1/2 cup, divided)
2 Tablespoons of flour
3/4 + 1 1/4 teaspoons of cinnamon
Dash of salt
1 package of 8 large flaky refrigerated biscuits*
2 teaspoons of butter, melted

 *Don't use the low-fat.  It won't work as well.  

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl, mix together the apples, raisins, 3 Tablespoons of sugar, flour, cinnamon, and salt.  Microwave 2-3 minutes until slightly tender.

Flatten each biscuit into a 5" round.  Combine the remaining sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.  Sprinkle a rounded teaspoon on each circle.  Top with 1/4 cup of apple mixture (cooled slightly).  Bring up the edges and pinch to seal.  Please seam side down in an ungreased muffin cup. 

Brush the tops with butter and sprinkle with remaining cinnamon sugar.  Cut an X into the top of each one.

 
Bake for 18-22 minutes or until golden brown.  Don't mistake the browning butter for doneness, check the biscuit itself.  It should take at least 18 minutes but these are forgiving and won't burn easily if you want to leave them in the full 22 minutes, as long as your oven temperature is accurate.  


 

Cool for 5 minutes then place on rack to cool.  Or you can do what I did and eat one, burn my mouth and then go for a second.  Poor guys never had a chance to see that rack.