Chunky Apple Muffins

1 granny smith apple, peeled, cored and quarted

1 cup sugar

2 cups all purpose flour

2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp plus 2 pinches salt

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 cup chopped walnut, toasted

2 large eggs

1 cup buttermilk, room temperature

1/2 cup butter, melted

Preheat oven to 400.  Spray a 12 cup muffin tin with cooking spray; set aside.  Cut 3 apple quarters into 1/4 inch dice.  Whisk together sugar, flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in bowl.  Add diced apple and walnuts.  Whisk together eggs, buttermilk, and butter in a small bowl.  Gently fold buttermilk mixture into flour mixture until just combined; do not overmix.  Divide batter among muffin cups, filling each about 3/4 full.  Bake until muffins are brown around edges and spring back when touched, about 16-18 minutes. 

Makes 1 dozen