Step 1

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Prepare a muffin pan with liners or spray with a non-stick spray.

Step 2

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

Step 3

In another bowl, mix the egg, buttermilk, melted butter, vanilla extract, and brown sugar. If the apples aren’t chopped yet, chop the apples before mixing the wet and dry ingredients together. Pour the apples into the flour mixture, pour in the wet mixture and fold together with a spatula just until combined. Don’t overmix.

Step 4

In a small bowl, use a fork to cut together the ¼ cup butter and brown sugar until crumbly. Add in the flour and cinnamon or apple pie spice. Continue cutting the butter in until everything is combined.

Step 5

Fill the muffin pan wells all the way to the top with batter. Sprinkle the topping mixture over the muffins. Bake for 25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

Step 6

Cool on a cooling rack. Enjoy warm or cooled and store covered at room temperature.