I may have been lamenting the end of summer last week, but these Sweet Potato Apple Muffins were a good reminder of the many things I love about Autumn.
At the very top of that list are Apples! Six years ago my parents planted apple trees in their backyard and this year was their first big crop of fruit. My three girls were so excited to go help Grandpa pick his apples and Grandma turn them into applesauce to enjoy all winter long. I sneaked (because "snuck" is apparently not a word) a few apples into my bag to turn into Sweet Potato Apple Muffins and then sat back to watch my kids enjoy a good time with their grandparents.
The thing is, I have really great parents, which means my kids have really great grandparents. I know I have grown up to be a much bigger headache than they ever imagined as they were straightening my teeth, hauling me to and from piano lessons, and forking out all that money for a small private college on the East coast. I was raised well and I sailed into adulthood with high hopes and big dreams.
Sometimes I wonder if I'll ever find the wind again. Sometimes I wonder if I've turned out to be a big disappointment.
My parents say it's not like that though. They remind me that it's not so much about failed dreams and dashed hopes. It's about this, right now. It's about being in the thick of it.
This, right now, is the future of my dreams and though it may look very different than I once imagined, it's happening right now and all at once.
I'm mothering four beautiful children. I'm figuring out how to put money in the bank and food on the table. I'm shouldering responsibility, tackling challenges, moving full steam ahead. And when my parents remind me that we just do what we have to do, I know they're right. This is it. Right now.
There's not enough hours in the day, or time spent sleeping, or money in the bank, or helping hands at home. Instead, there are homegrown apples to be picked, babies to be held, stories to be read, grandparents to be hugged, and muffins to be made.
This is life, and I'm in the thick of it.
These Sweet Potato Apple Muffins are one of life's good things. The baked sweet potato puree keeps them tender and moist. Tart apples add a big burst of flavor. They are lightly sweetened with honey or maple syrup, in addition to the mild sweetness the potato adds. The streusel topping makes these muffins feel (and look) extra special, but they taste just as good without it. Enjoy!
Sweet Potato Apple Muffins
Ingredients
Streusel Topping
Instructions
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says
These muffins are gorgeous. Lovely!
somethewiser@gmail.com says
Thank you Katrina!
Millie | Add A Little says
Yum! I loe sweet potatoes - this looks delish!
somethewiser@gmail.com says
Thanks Millie - sweet potatoes with apples are extra yummy!
Katrina says
This post made me cry. You may see failed hopes and dreams at times, but you have always been someone inspiring to me. You are amazing in more ways than you will ever know.
somethewiser@gmail.com says
Huge hugs to you!
Kimberly/TheLittlePlantation says
Hi Allison,
oh how I love reading your posts. So glad I found your blog here in cyberspace.
You know, as a woman I constantly wonder if I am 'the best mom, the best wife, the best cook etc'. If I am letting my son down because I didn't bake the bread we're having for breakfast. But then I know, I am doing the best I can with all my heart and that's it's ok.
You are AMAZING to be raising 4 kids and - by the look of these pictures - you are doing a pretty good job. They look so happy!
I also think there are so many moms out there who are struggling with the endless demands of modern parenthood; seeing that you CAN make it work, somehow is so, so, so inspiring.
Thank you
Kimberly
somethewiser@gmail.com says
Thank you Kimberly. You are so kind and it means a lot to me that you stop by my little corner of the web and share such thoughtful comments with me. I know exactly what you mean about the endless demands of modern parenthood! It helps so much, however, to know that we aren't in it alone. Thank you for inspiring me!
Lyndsey says
This is such a touching post. Thanks for sharing!
somethewiser@gmail.com says
Thank you - your support means a lot to me!
Robin says
You are hardly a big disappointment! I think you're pretty stinking awesome:0) and if your path didn't twist and turn the way it has we may have never met. Would I wish for someone to treat you like a queen and bring you breakfast in bed everyday and rub your feet every night, sure. But if it meant not having you in my life I might just wish you a foot massager from the corner pharmacy instead.
My family is blessed by knowing you, your kids and your parents (and I agree, you do have great parents!).
somethewiser@gmail.com says
I can't imagine my life without you guys! So glad I have your friendship to count on through it all. So much love to you!
Alysa says
These look so delicious and wholesome. Can't wait to make them!!
somethewiser@gmail.com says
Thank you! I hope you like them!
Kristin says
Beautiful post and pictures! Hardly a failure!! Some hard knocks, that's for sure... but you are making beauty out of it. Thanks for sharing.
somethewiser@gmail.com says
Thank you for your kind words. I came across the Momastery blog today (fell in love!) and I love how she puts it - that life is brutal, but it's also beautiful and that you have to embrace both because they are so tightly intertwined. I wholeheartedly agree! Hard knocks, yes for sure, but so much beauty mixed in. Brutiful!
Teresa says
Yummmm....can't wait to make these. Love your girls and sweet boy! Thanks for the announcements! Darling. You amaze me with all your talent. Keep it up!!
somethewiser@gmail.com says
Thank you! Your support means a lot to me and I'm always inspired by your beautiful family.
Kristina @ Love & Zest says
these are beautiful. I love the little hands holding the apples. so cute and just the right size!
somethewiser@gmail.com says
Thanks Kristina! I take so many pictures of my kids holding things . . . but only because I can't get enough of those hands - they just keep growing!!
PassTheKnife says
Nothing says fall more than apples and root veggies all sealed up in a delicious muffin!
FoodFlav says
Can’t wait to try the Sweet Potato Apple recipe. Sharing on pinterest. I would so love to try this recipe. 🙂
Claudine says
Hello Allison
I thought this morning that I would make some sweet potato and pumpkin muffins and while on pinterest did a search. Your site came up with your recipe and I must say I was so touched by your post and your wonderings whether you were a disappointment or if you would ever find your wind again. So I read your 'about me' blurb and I wonder how you could ever think you would be a disappointment. You sound to me, like one of the most amazing, courageous, resilient, nurturing and phenomenal mothers/women out there in the world.
So I am going to make my muffins then sit down and read more of your blog.
Have a wonderful day and rewarding day
x Claudine
Amy says
I have made these muffins three of four times! They are delicious!! I made them for my daughter's preschool class snack as they were learning a lot about apples this month. I have been tweeking it adding mashed banana raisins and chocolate chips. I can't keep chocolate out of anything!
Elaine says
I looked at several sweet potato muffin recipes and this looks the best, but my kids don't like chunks of fruit in muffins. Do you think it would work with a cup of applesauce instead of diced apples or would that make it too mushy?
somethewiser@gmail.com says
I think one cup of applesauce would be too much. Try cutting the sweet potato puree back a little, to 3/4 cup and subbing in 1/2 cup of applesauce for the apple chunks. Let me know how that works! Hope you enjoy them 🙂
Michelle says
What's the consistency of the sweet potato puree you use for muffins? How do you make it? These muffins sound wonderful and I'd love to make them.
somethewiser@gmail.com says
Thanks Michelle! I bake a sweet potato in the oven (or wrap it in a moist towel in the microwave) and cook until the insides are easy to mash (just like a mashed potato). If I'm feeling enthusiastic in the kitchen, I will use the electric beaters and whip the sweet potato to a smooth consistency. If I'm hurrying, I'll just mash it well with a fork or potato masher and call it good. Hope you enjoy them 🙂
Catherine Maxey says
Great recipe. I just mashed my steamed sweet potato with a fork. Not totally smooth but worked fine. I used caramel ice cream topping instead of honey. Worked well. Instead of yogurt and oil I used a half cup of cottage cheese thatch pureed with the egg. Cut calories there and added 2ounces chopped pecans to batter rather than your topping. I distribute to neighbors and toppings tend to fall off. Apples, peeled, weighed about 5 1/2 ounces and used Granny smith. Great texture. A cup of sweet potatoes is about 200 grams.