Allspice Crumb Muffins

Fluffy and tender cake, with a hint of spice topped with just-the-right-amount-of-sweetness-streusels. A winner!!

I was looking for a simple recipe to bake for a Saturday breakfast. My criteria of a simple recipe: no mixer involved, baking time of between 15-20 minutes, no greasing any pan and if possible, a dump-all-ingredients-into-a-bowl kind of recipe!

And where should I look to for a guaranteed winner recipe - where else but Dorie Greenspan's Baking from My Home to Yours. I was browsing through the biscuits/scones and muffins section and voila! found a perfect recipe - simple enough but has an extra 'star' quality to it - streusels!

Wasted no time in getting all the ingredients ready and in a matter of 15 minutes, they were ready to be popped in the oven. Twenty minutes later - these babies were baked!

Allspice Crumb Muffins
adapted from Dorie Greenspan

For the Streusel

1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
5 tablespoons cold butter

For the Muffins

2 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup light brown sugar
1 stick butter, melted and cooled
2 large eggs
3/4 cup milk
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

To make streusel: put all ingredients together and work the butter with your fingers until youget irregularly shaped crumbs. Set aside in refrigerator.

To make muffins: In large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, allspice, salt and brown sugar. In another bowl, whisk melted butter, eggs, milk and vanilla tiogether. Pour liquid ingredients into dry ingredients and quickly stir to blend. Divide batter into muffin cups and sprinkle streusels over each muffins. Bake for 20 mins.