Description
Homemade applesauce muffins deliver comfort and warmth with classic bakery charm. Spiced batter and tender crumb invite bakers to savor each delightful bite.
Ingredients
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup (177 ml) unsweetened applesauce
- 2 eggs, room temperature
- ½ cup (120 ml) oil or melted and cooled butter
- ½ cup (100 g) white sugar
- ½ cup (100 g) light brown sugar
- 1 ½ tsps cinnamon
- 1 ½ tsps baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp nutmeg (optional)
- 2 tbsps white sugar (for topping)
- ¼ tsp cinnamon (for topping)
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Preheat the oven to 375°F and line a standard muffin tin with 12 paper liners, creating a welcoming baking environment.
- Cinnamon Sugar Coating: Blend white sugar and ground cinnamon in a small bowl, setting aside this aromatic mixture for later embellishment.
- Dry Ingredient Fusion: Sift flour, baking soda, baking powder, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt together in a medium bowl, ensuring a harmonious blend of dry components.
- Liquid Base Creation: Whisk white and brown sugars with oil in a large mixing bowl until the mixture transforms into a smooth, consistent emulsion.
- Wet Ingredient Integration: Vigorously combine eggs, applesauce, and vanilla extract into the sugar-oil base, mixing until the liquid elements become perfectly homogeneous.
- Batter Formation: Gently fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, using a delicate touch to maintain the batter’s light and airy texture.
- Muffin Filling and Topping: Distribute the batter evenly into the prepared liners, filling each about two-thirds full, then liberally dust the surface with the reserved cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Baking Process: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 17-22 minutes, monitoring the progress by performing a toothpick doneness test.
- Cooling and Serving: Once the toothpick comes out clean, remove the muffins from the oven and let them rest in the tin briefly before transferring to a wire rack for complete cooling and serving.
Notes
Customize Cinnamon Sugar Coating: Adjust sugar-to-cinnamon ratio based on personal sweetness preference, creating a signature topping that enhances muffin flavor profile.
Prevent Dense Texture: Mix wet and dry ingredients minimally to avoid developing gluten, which can result in tough, heavy muffins with a compact crumb structure.
Applesauce Moisture Magic: Use unsweetened applesauce to control sugar levels and ensure consistent moisture without overwhelming sweetness in the final baked product.
Optimal Storage Strategy: Store muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days, or freeze for up to 1 month to maintain freshness and soft texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 176
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 100 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg