Apple Crunch Cakelets (Muffins)

My sister shared this recipe with me a few years ago and it is a family favorite. Delicious, easy and versatile! These come together really quickly.  They are great hot out of the oven with a little butter or cold the next day for a snack. (My eight year old told me he wished he could have them for a snack every day.) I have also made these with pumpkin. Just use an equivalent amount of pumpkin in place of the grated apple and substitute a little pumpkin pie spice for the cinnamon. Try some other variations as well--banana, blueberry, mashed sweet potato or whatever strikes your fancy.                                             

1/4 cup shortening
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 cup milk
1 cup apple (peeled and grated)

Cream shortening and sugar until well blended. Add egg. Beat until smooth. Add dry ingredients with milk and stir just until blended. Stir in apples. Drop in 12 greased muffin tins (or 24 greased mini muffin tins). Sprinkle with brown sugar. Bake at 375 for 20 minutes (10-15 minutes for the mini muffins).