Applesauce Spice Muffins

Whole Wheat Applesauce Spice Muffins

Yields: 12 Muffins

For muffins:

1 1/2 cups white whole wheat flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground allspice

1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 large eggs

2/3 cup packed light brown sugar

5 Tbsp butter, melted

1 cup unsweetened applesauce

For the topping:

1/2 cup pecans, coarsely chopped (optional)

2 Tbsp Turbinado sugar

Set oven rack in middle of the oven. Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease standard muffin pan.

Stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda, spices, and salt in a bowl. Whisk eggs and brown sugar in a large bowl until combined well. Add butter, whisking until mixture is creamy. Stir in applesauce. Then fold in flour mixture until flour is just moistened. Divide batter among muffin cups.

Stir together topping ingredients (pecans and sugar) and sprinkle on top of muffins. Gently press into muffin batter. Bake until muffins are puffed and golden brown, about 18-20 minutes. Cool in pan on a rack 5 minutes, then remove muffins from pan and cool completely before storing.