Apple Muffins

Ingredients

 * ¼ cup finely chopped walnuts (optional)
 * 1½ cups peeled, cored, finely diced apples (any baking or all-purpose variety)
 * 1 large egg
 * ⅓ cup packed light brown sugar or sucanat
 * 2 tbsp vegetable oil
 * 1 cup soy milk or low-fat milk
 * 1¾ cups whole wheat pastry flour
 * ¼ cup wheat germ
 * 2 tsp baking powder
 * 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice

Directions

 * 1) Preheat oven to 350°F.
 * 2) Line 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners.
 * 3) In medium bowl, whisk egg well, then whisk in brown sugar until dissolved.
 * 4) Whisk in oil, then milk, until smooth.
 * 5) Set aside.
 * 6) In large bowl, mix together flour, wheat germ, baking powder and pumpkin pie spice.
 * 7) Gradually add milk mixture to flour mixture and stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until a smooth, stiff batter forms.
 * 8) Stir in apples and walnuts if desired.
 * 9) Divide batter among prepared muffin cups.
 * 10) Bake until golden and toothpick inserted into center of a muffin comes out clean, about 25 minutes.
 * 11) Cool in pan on wire rack 5 minutes, then turn muffins out onto rack and cool completely.