3/4 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1 1/2 cups apple, peeled and chopped
3/4 cup buttermilk

Topping:
1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup chopped pecans,
1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease muffin cups, or use paper liners. Blend 3/4 cup brown sugar, oil, eggs and vanilla in a large bowl. Combine flour, baking soda, salt, and spices. Add to wet mixture.
Add apple and buttermilk and mix thoroughly just to moisten.

Fill muffin cups 2/3 full. Combine 1/4 cup sugar, pecans, and cinnamon in a small bowl for topping.
Sprinkle evenly over batter.
Bake at 350 degrees for 20 - 25 minutes.