Brain teaser

Empire apples grow right here in Ontario. Did you know an Empire apple is actually a cross between two apples? One of them is a Red Delicious apple. Can you guess the other one?

1. Granny Smith
2. McIntosh
3. Crispin

Answer: b

Never tried an Empire apple? Ask your parents to add Ontario Empire apples to the grocery list.

Eat it up!

One-bite apple muffins

These apple muffins are great for a quick snack attack. Pair them up with a cold glass of milk or a chunk of cheese to fight your hunger pangs.

The apples in this recipe (Crispin, Idared, Spy, Spartan) are great for baking. Other apples, like Gala, Honeycrisp and McIntosh, are perfect for munching fresh.

Makes 24 mini muffins.
Takes 25 minutes.
You’ll need an adult’s help.

You'll need:

• 1 1/2 cups (375 mL) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (125 mL) quick-cooking rolled oats
• 1/2 cup (125 mL) packed brown sugar
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) baking powder
• 1 tsp (5 mL) cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp (1 mL) salt
• 1 1/2 cups (375 mL) peeled, diced Ontario apples (Crispin, Idared, Spy, Spartan)
• 1 egg
• 3/4 cup (175 mL) milk
• 1/4 cup (50 mL) vegetable oil
• 1 tsp (5 mL) vanilla

What to do:

1. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Stir in apples.

2. In a separate bowl, whisk together egg, milk, oil and vanilla. Add to dry ingredients, stirring until just moistened.

3. Spoon into 24 lightly sprayed or paper-lined mini muffin cups. Bake in a preheated 375°F (190°C) oven until tops are firm to the touch, about 12 minutes. If using dark pans, reduce temperature to 350°F (180°C). Let muffins cool in pan on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Transfer muffins onto racks and let cool completely.