Everyone handles stress in their own way. Â Something I learned during the hurricane is that being in the kitchen is a major stress reliever for me. Â I never usually panic about a storm but Sandy felt different. Â I think part of me is still mildly traumatized from the derecho in June that came out of nowhere and made life hell for a week. Â We were so unprepared for that. Â After listening to our Governor hold a press conference on Monday stating that “PEOPLE WILL DIE IN THIS STORM” and to weather people saying that this was THE PERFECT STORM… I just kind of freaked out. Â I’ve never been a weather alarmist. Â I usually make jokes about people running to the grocery store for toilet paper before a big weather event but yesterday I was totally one of those people. Â I went to the store and got a ton of canned goods, filled up at the gas station, scrubbed down the entire kitchen, pulled out all of our flashlights and lanterns… just in case of what? Â I don’t know but this time I was determined to be prepared for anything. Â I spent all weekend and yesterday preparing and waiting and my anxiety was through the roof.
The rest of the day I was either glued to the television or baking. Â I made granola bars, hummus, spicy pumpkin seeds and apple muffins. Â Each time I felt like I was tempting fate as our powered flickered and threatened to vanish. Â But being in the kitchen was so calming to me, especially as I watched my beloved Ocean City go under water and listened to winds outside that sounded like a freight train about to run over our little townhouse. Â I frantically tweeted with others along the East Coast. Â I stared at the giant tree in our backyard, willing it to stay upright (it did). Â I wasn’t planning to get any blog recipes out of the experience but the muffins were some of the best I’ve ever made. Â They were delicate, fluffy and rich. Â I had leftover brown butter which made them incredibly tasty. Â They were comfort food. Â I needed comfort.
We never lost our power or dealt with any kind of damage.  I feel incredibly lucky we were spared.  My thoughts are with everyone who was impacted by Hurricane Sandy.
Brown Butter Apple Muffins
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 large sweet apple, finely diced
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup milk, regular or non-dairy (I used almond milk)
- 1/3 cup melted brown butter
- brown sugar for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with baking cups or grease the pan with baking spray.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar and cinnamon. Stir in the chopped apple.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, vanilla, milk and brown butter. Stir the wet ingredients into the dry until just combined. Don't overwork the batter, some lumps are fine.
- Scoop the batter into the prepared pan and sprinkle a bit of brown sugar on top of each muffin.
- Bake for 22-25 minutes, until the tops are starting to brown. Allow to cool for 5 minutes.
- Enjoy warm or at room temperature.
Please read my full post for additional recipe notes, tips, and serving suggestions!
Nutrition
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Chris says
From what I saw on television, some areas looked really bad. I find the kitchen also a very comforting place. It even helps to wind down after a stressful day.
At the moment I have a surplus of apples, so might have a try of those muffins.
Roger Stowell says
What a terrifying experience. Glad you made it through unharmed.
daisy says
Glad to know you were safe. Those news images of the destruction is just devastating, weren’t they? I guess your “happy place”, like many of us bloggers, is the kitchen. In stressful times, that’s where I would head, too.
Nice looking muffins, and great photo!
daisy
Baker Street says
That’s a whole lot of baking! These muffins sounds incredible, can’t wait to see the other treats too! :)
Kathryn says
I can’t even imagine what it must be like to go through that sort of experience and all those people who are without homes and power and water. I think I would definitely turn to the kitchen during that kind of stress. Love these muffins, they look just perfect.
Jennifer M. says
I’m glad you were spared the worst of this storm. We experienced the same here in my part of South Jersey. And surprisingly, it was baking muffins that kept me going through the worst of the storm (blueberry for me)!
As we sit and watch the cleanup begin in our beloved shore towns, I wonder what we (as bloggers) can do to help? If you hear of anything, please let me know.
Laura Dembowski says
I find baking very comforting and sress relieving too, though I don’t think anything could’ve kept me calm during this storm. The weather in general makes me very anxious as there’s nothing, absolutely nothing, you can do to control or stop it. Glad you stayed safe!
Valerie says
I’m so glad that you made it through this unscathed. (I would have been climbing the walls too!) Baking is a lovely from of stress relief, it always puts things into proper perspective. Your muffins look delicious!
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel says
Gosh, Jen. I feel lucky to say I’ve never gone through what you went through to prepare for Sandy, but I’m so sorry you had to! No one should feel stressed about that kind of stuff.. it’s just awful. And I’m so glad you and your family + home are okay. Thank goodness for that and stress-relief baking! These muffins DO look scrumptious!
Grubarazzi (@Grubarazzi) says
Yes! I did the same thing. I made so much food… and just waited it out with duck fat popcorn and scary movies. It worked…. and we made it through unscathed. After the derecho I didn’t know what to expect (4 days without power during that storm). Yay! We made it!
Ali | Gimme Some Oven says
SO glad that you are ok after the storm. And I agree — cooking in the kitchen has turned into such a comfort for me on anxious days. These muffins look absolutely beautiful.
claire @ the realistic nutritionist says
Sandy is a BIG BULLY. haha. I love these though!
Rachael {SimplyFreshCooking} says
I’m glad you’re safe!! I’m glad you were able to find comfort in food… it’s just what we do! :)
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
Brown butter is the best, these muffins look amazing!
marla says
Love the simple and perfect flavors of these muffins!
Savory Simple says
Thanks so much, Marla!