Apple Muffins

2¼ cups all purpose  flour

4 teaspoons baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon 

¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

6 tablespoons solid shortening or margarine

½ cup granulated sugar

1 large egg

1 cup milk

1 cup apples (pared, cored, and finely chopped)

*Topping

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon 

¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Combine topping ingredients; sprinkle over batter.

Pre-heated oven to 400*

In a small mixer bowl, cream shortening and sugar, add egg and milk, beat well. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Add wet ingredients to flour mixture, stirring only until moistened. Fold in apples. Batter will be thick. 

Fill greased muffin cups 2/3 full.  Add topping. Bake for 25 minutes.