3/4 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1-1/2 cups apple, peeled and chopped
3/4 cup buttermilk
Topping:
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup chopped pecans
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease muffin cups or use paper liners. Blend 3/4 cup brown sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla in a large bowl. Combine flour, baking soda, salt, and spices. Add to wet mixture. Add apple and buttermilk and mix thoroughly just to moisten. Fill muffin cups 2/3 full. Combine 1/4 cup sugar, pecans, and cinnamon in a small bowl for topping. Sprinkle evenly over batter. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes.
Makes: 12 muffins.