Apple Butter Spice Muffins

1/2 c. sugar
1 t. cinnamon
1/4 t. nutmeg
1/8 t. allspice
1/2 c. pecans (or walnuts), chopped
2 c. flour
2 t. baking powder
1/4 t. salt
1 c. milk
1/4 c. veg. oil
1 egg
1/4 c. apple butter

~Preheat oven to 400
~Combine spices and sugar in large bowl. Toss 2 T. sugar mixture with pecans in small bowl, set aside.
~Add flour, BP and salt to remaining sugar mixture
~Combine 'wet ingredients' and add to flour mixture, mixing just until moistened.
~Spoon 1 T. batter into each prepared muffin cup. Spoon 1 heaping tsp. apple butter into each cup. Spoon remaining batter evenly over apple butter layers.
~Sprinkle reserved pecan mixture over each muffin.
~Bake 20-25 mins or until golden brown and wooden toothpick inserted comes out clean. Immediately remove from pan-cool on wire rack for 10 minutes. Serve warm or cold.