¼tspcoarse Kosher salt(if using table salt, use half the amount)
2tbspchopped almonds
¼cupunsalted butter,melted
Muffin Batter
4ozalmond paste or almond pastry filling,optional
1 ¾cupsall-purpose flour,spooned and leveled
½cupgranulated sugar
2tsppoppy seeds
1 ½tspbaking powder
½tspcoarse Kosher salt(if using table salt, use half the amount)
1cupfull-fat sour cream or plain, unsweetened Greek yogurt
½cupwhole milk
½cupunsalted butter,melted
2large eggs
1tspvanilla extract
1tspalmond extract
Instructions
Crumb Topping
In a bowl, combine the flours, sugar, salt and chopped almonds. Add the melted butter and stir until moistened and crumbly.
If the topping seems too moist, add a little more flour, 1 tbsp at a time. Set aside until needed.
Muffins
Preheat the oven to 375 F. Line a standard muffin pan with 12 paper liners, and lightly spray the liners with non-stick baking spray.
OPTIONAL:Almond Paste, for a dense, intensely flavored almond filling: Cut the almond paste into 12 equal portions, and roll into balls. Set aside to stuff into the center of the muffins.Almond Cake and Pastry Filling, for a more moist, sweet almond filling: If using almond pastry filling, plan on about 1 1/2 teaspoons of filling per muffin.
In a bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, poppy seeds, baking powder and salt.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the sour cream, milk, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla and almond extracts. Add the liquid ingredients to the dry, and stir together just until moistened.
Spoon the batter into the muffin cups, filling them 2/3 full. Press the balls of almond paste into the batter, or spoon the almond pastry filling onto the batter. Then spoon the remaining muffin batter over the almond paste/pastry filling.
Scoop the crumb topping onto the batter, and lightly press it in. The cups will be very full.
Bake the muffins on the center oven rack for about 20-22 minutes, until the tops appear done with no wet batter.
Cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then use a spoon to lift the muffins out of the pan onto a cooling rack. Cool for 10 minutes, then serve warm.
Notes
Store leftover muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.