Applesauce Muffins Recipe

applesauce muffins Cinnamon cinnamon sugar topping dairy-free fiber content Gluten-Free healthy snack light breakfast nutrition reheating storage sugar content vegan

Posted October 6, 2023 by: Admin #Kitchen

Crafted with a delightful blend of applesauce and cinnamon, these applesauce muffins are a delectable treat, boasting a moist, fluffy texture and a symphony of comforting flavors. Whether you savor them as a wholesome snack or a light breakfast, or opt to elevate them with a dusting of cinnamon sugar for an indulgent twist, these muffins are a versatile culinary delight. Applesauce Muffins with Cinnamon Sugar

Essential Ingredients

To create these wholesome applesauce muffins, gather the following key ingredients:

Applesauce: The heart of the recipe, unsweetened applesauce lends its natural sweetness, while the sugar content in the recipe ensures perfect balance. In case you only have sweetened applesauce, consider reducing the sugar slightly.
Flour: All-purpose flour is recommended for its superior texture, although whole-wheat flour or gluten-free flour can be used as alternatives.
Sugar: A combination of white and brown sugar imparts just the right amount of sweetness and moisture, accompanied by a delightful caramel-like flavor.
Butter: Adding moisture and healthy fats to the mix.
Egg: Providing structure and fluffiness to the muffins.
Vanilla Extract: Elevating the sweetness and flavor profile of the muffins.
Cinnamon: Infusing warmth and sweetness, it also forms a light cinnamon sugar topping.
Add-Ins: While the base recipe doesn’t include them, you can enhance your muffins with extras like walnuts, raisins, or chopped apples for added flavor and texture.

Additionally, essential baking components such as baking soda, baking powder, and salt ensure the batter rises into light, airy muffins.

Dietary Customizations

To accommodate various dietary preferences:

To Go Gluten-Free: Swap all-purpose flour with a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour.
For a Dairy-Free Option: Replace melted butter with olive oil or melted coconut oil.
For a Vegan Twist: Substitute melted butter with olive oil or melted coconut oil, and use a “flax egg” instead of a regular egg. Create a flax egg by mixing one tablespoon of ground flaxseed meal with three tablespoons of water, allowing it to sit in the fridge for 15 minutes to thicken before adding it to your recipe.
To Increase Fiber Content: Exchange all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour, use a 50-50 blend, or reduce flour by half and incorporate half a cup of rolled oats.
To Reduce Sugar Intake: Cut white sugar and brown sugar down to a quarter cup each and omit the cinnamon sugar topping altogether.

How to Craft Wholesome Applesauce Muffins

Creating these delectable applesauce muffins is a breeze. Here’s a simple breakdown:

Mix the dry ingredients.
Mix the wet ingredients.
Combine the muffin batter.
Transfer the mixture into a muffin tin.
Bake the muffins until they turn golden brown.
Allow the muffins to cool.
Top with cinnamon sugar.
Indulge!

Not only are these muffins a cinch to make, but they’re also kid-friendly and freeze exceptionally well, making them perfect for batch cooking and meal prep. Healthy Applesauce Muffins

Choosing the Ideal Applesauce

For optimal results, opt for unsweetened applesauce when baking. This choice allows for better control over sweetness and sugar levels, allowing you to tailor the flavor to your liking. While homemade applesauce undoubtedly offers the best taste, readily available store-bought options work just as well.

Storage and Reheating

To preserve the freshness of your muffins:

For Short-Term Storage: Allow the muffins to cool completely, then store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the fridge for up to 5 days.
For Long-Term Storage: Once fully cooled, place the muffins in an airtight container and keep them in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw muffins as needed.
For Reheating: Reheat muffins in the microwave for 30 seconds.

Applesauce Muffins

These delightful applesauce muffins, with their moist and fluffy texture, make for a superb breakfast, snack, or dessert option. They also freeze beautifully, allowing you to prepare a double batch for the weeks ahead.

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup melted butter
1/3 cup white sugar
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 1/4 cups applesauce
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cinnamon Sugar Topping (Optional):

2 tablespoons melted butter
2 tablespoons white sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375°F and line a muffin tin with muffin liners or lightly grease it with butter.
In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt using a spatula or wooden spoon.
In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, white sugar, and brown sugar until smooth and well combined. Add the applesauce, egg, and vanilla extract, and whisk again until fully incorporated.
Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients using a spatula or wooden spoon, taking care not to overmix the batter.
Divide the batter evenly into the muffin cups to make 12 muffins.
Place the muffin tin in the oven and bake for 20-22 minutes until a toothpick inserted into a muffin comes out clean.
Once baked, allow the muffins to cool slightly in the muffin tin, then transfer them to a cooling rack to reach room temperature.
For the cinnamon sugar topping, combine sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Use a pastry brush to apply melted butter to the top of each muffin (or dip the muffin top into melted butter) and then dip the muffin (upside down) into the cinnamon sugar mixture. Ensure the top is evenly coated before returning it to the cooling rack. Repeat this process for all muffins.
Enjoy your muffins immediately, store them at room temperature for up to 5 days, refrigerate for up to 7 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.