Friday, October 31, 2008

Applesauce Spice Muffins

Happy Halloween!

The air has finally cooled off a bit and it actually feels like Fall this morning. I watched the misty fog rise up off the damp earth as the sky gradually became lighter shades of gray. Strolling down to the end of our dirt road to pick up the newspaper with my youngest brother, I breathed in the fresh aroma of wet leaves. The moisture brings out the best (and the worst) of smells.

As we entered back into the house, the scent of the spicy applesauce muffins I had placed in the oven before venturing out hit our gratified nostrils. We sat on the stairs counting down the minutes until they would come out of the oven....


I made these delicious muffins in an attempt to use up some of the large quantity of applesauce left over from the other night's dinner of applesauce pork chops. (It's not visible in the photo but we used festive Snoopy Halloween paper cups to hold them!) They were perfect for a light, autumn breakfast on a chilly morning. These would also be wonderful with a nice, warm chai latte in the afternoon. Hmmm...I think I just discovered my midday snack.


Applesauce Spice Muffins
adapted from a recipe in Gourmet magazine

1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 c. whole wheat flour
1/2 c. oats
1 1/2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. baking soda
1/2 t. cinnamon
1/2 t. allspice
1/4 t. nutmeg
1/4 t. salt
2 eggs
3/4 c. brown sugar
1 stick butter, melted
1 c. applesauce, unsweetened*
handful of raisins
(1 c. nuts, opt.)

*My applesauce was a tad sweetened and had lemon juice, fresh ginger, and a few other spices already. I merely cut back on the additional spices.

Topping:
2 T. sugar
1/4 t. cinnamon
1/4 t. nutmeg
1/4 t. allspice

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Blend together flours, oats, baking powder, baking soda, and spices in a small bowl. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs and sugar. Gradually add butter and mix well. Stir in applesauce. Add dry ingredients to wet and stir until dry are moistened. Fold in raisins (and nuts, if desired).

Grease muffin cups or place paper holders in 12 muffin cups. Evenly distribute the batter into the cups. Mix topping ingredients together and spoon onto the top of the batter. (I also added a small slice of apple to the top for a little added flair.)

Place in the oven and bake for 20 minutes. Muffins are done when an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Let cool in muffin cups for 5 minutes before serving.

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Way too delicious I think! I am in love with applesauce, so I think the muffins would take our affair to new heights not yet reached...or new places, like the oven for I have not cooked with applesauce. :D My, oh my, am I ever jealous of your midday snack...and with a cup of tea I think it would be divine...okay maybe not divine, but surely delicious!