Apple cinnamon tea infused muffins

We are always game to trying something new and when Zest Tea, @getzesttea, sent us some apple cinnamon tea to try, we thought "why not bake with it?" The results were by far the best muffins we have made in awhile. Adding the additional layer of flavor the tea imparted to the butter, really made these muffins sing! The apple cinnamon flavor was pronounced, not lost in the baking. We are definitely going to play around with some other flavors of tea and will let you know how they turn out! A friend suggested ear grey and cherries.....yummy!

Apple Cinnamon Tea infused Muffins
Makes 10-12
 
½ cup or 1 stick of unsalted butter
¼ cup loose apple cinnamon tea
​1 ½ cups flour
¾ cups sugar plus 1 tablespoon
1 ½ tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon plus ½ tsp.
½ cup milk
1 tsp. Vanilla Extract
1 egg
1 cup grated apples, about 1 large apple.
 
 
Preheat oven to 375
 
Grease muffin pan with cooking spray or butter and set aside.
 
To make your tea infused butter, melt butter then add the tealeaves.  Let heat over low for about five minutes, it will continue bubbling. Remove from heat and set aside for another few minutes.  Butter will look a little green, but don’t worry! Using a fine meshed strainer or sieve, pour butter through and push on leaves, squeezing out all you can.  Set aside.
 
In a medium bowl, add flour, ¾ cups of sugar, baking powder, salt and 1 tsp. of cinnamon.  In another bowl, add egg and gently whisk. Add to egg, the vanilla, tea infused butter, and milk and mix.  Add to flour, with the apples and stir until all is incorporated.
 
Mix remaining sugar and cinnamon in small bowl and set aside.
 
Scoop batter into muffin cups, filling about ¾ of the way.  Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar mixture.
 
Bake for 20-23 minutes until slightly brown on top and a toothpick comes out clean. 
 
Cool in pan, then remove and serve.