Dessert

Applesauce Muffins Recipe

ByLila Prescott October 31, 2025October 31, 2025

Introduction

These applesauce muffins are moist, tender, and full of warm cinnamon flavor. Perfect for a quick breakfast or snack, they combine the natural sweetness of applesauce with a delightful cinnamon sugar topping.

A group of round muffins covered evenly with a light brown sugar and cinnamon topping, each muffin sitting in a white paper cup with a fluted edge. The muffins have a soft, slightly crumbly texture with a golden-brown hue beneath the sugar layer. They are arranged closely in a white, round wire basket with wooden handles, set on a white marbled surface. Two cinnamon sticks lie casually next to the basket while two red apples with smooth, shiny skin appear blurred in the background. The overall look is warm and inviting, highlighting the sugar crystals on the muffins. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

½ cup butter (1 stick, softened)
½ cup granulated white sugar

2 large eggs
¾ cup applesauce

1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder

½ teaspoon salt
¼ cup butter (melted)
½ cup granulated white sugar (for topping)

½ teaspoon cinnamon (for topping)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-hole muffin tin with paper liners.
Step 2: In a bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

Step 3: In a separate bowl, cream the softened butter and ½ cup sugar together until pale and creamy using a stand mixer or handheld mixer.
Step 4: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is incorporated before adding the next.
Step 5: Mix in the applesauce until well blended.

Step 6: Gently fold the sifted dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
Step 7: Using a large cookie scoop or spoon, evenly divide the batter into the prepared muffin tin.
Step 8: Bake in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes, or until the muffin tops turn golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 9: Remove muffins from the oven and let them cool for 5 minutes in the pan.
Step 10: While muffins are still warm, dip each one first into melted butter, then into the cinnamon sugar mixture made by combining ½ cup sugar and ½ teaspoon cinnamon.
Step 11: Place the coated muffins on a wire rack to set and cool before serving.

Tips & Variations

For extra moisture, substitute half of the applesauce with mashed banana.
Use whole wheat flour for a nuttier flavor and added fiber.
Add ½ cup chopped nuts or raisins to the batter for extra texture.

Try a pinch of nutmeg or allspice in the cinnamon sugar topping for a spiced twist.

Storage

Store the muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. To keep them longer, refrigerate for up to a week or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat muffins in the microwave for 15–20 seconds before serving to enjoy them warm and soft.

How to Serve

Three cinnamon sugar muffins with a golden brown crunchy top, each resting in white paper liners, are arranged on a light wooden board. Two cinnamon sticks lie diagonally in the bottom left corner of the board. Behind the muffins, there is a white cloth with blue stripes, and a red apple with a leaf is placed on the cloth. In the background, a wire basket holds more red apples, all set against a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use homemade applesauce for this recipe?

Yes, homemade applesauce works wonderfully and can add a fresher, more natural flavor to your muffins.

Can I make these muffins vegan?

To make vegan muffins, substitute the butter with coconut oil or a plant-based margarine, replace the eggs with flax eggs (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water per egg), and ensure your sugar is vegan-friendly.