Description
These Applesauce Muffins are moist, tender, and lightly sweetened with applesauce, making them a perfect wholesome treat for breakfast or snack time. They feature a cinnamon sugar topping that adds a delightful crunch and warmth. Easy to prepare and baked to golden perfection, these muffins offer a comforting flavor with a subtle hint of cinnamon.
Ingredients
Scale
Muffin Batter
- 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
Topping
- ¼ cup butter (melted)
- ½ cup granulated white sugar
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Get prepped: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 12-hole muffin tin with paper liners to prepare for baking.
- Mix dry ingredients: Sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl to ensure even distribution and a light texture.
- Prepare the topping: Melt ¼ cup butter and combine the ½ cup granulated sugar with ½ teaspoon cinnamon in a separate bowl to create the cinnamon sugar topping.
- Make the muffin batter: Using a stand mixer or handheld mixer, cream ½ cup softened butter with ½ cup sugar until pale and creamy. Beat in eggs one at a time until well incorporated, then mix in the applesauce until fully blended.
- Combine batter components: Gently fold in the sifted dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined to avoid overmixing and maintain muffin tenderness.
- Scoop batter into muffin tins: Use a large cookie scoop or spoon to evenly divide the batter into the prepared muffin cups, filling each about 2/3 full to allow room for rising.
- Bake the muffins: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 15 minutes or until the muffin tops turn golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Cool the muffins: Remove the muffins from the oven and let them cool for about 5 minutes to make handling easier for the topping application.
- Apply the cinnamon sugar coating: While the muffins are still warm, dip each muffin first into the melted butter, then roll it in the cinnamon sugar mixture, creating a sweet, crunchy exterior.
Notes
- Use unsweetened applesauce to control the sweetness level of the muffins.
- For a healthier variation, replace half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the muffins tender and moist.
- If you prefer a less sweet topping, reduce the sugar in the cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Store leftover muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: applesauce muffins, cinnamon sugar topping, moist muffins, easy breakfast muffins, homemade muffins
