Applesauce Muffins

This post originally appeared on Muddy Little Toes where I was previously a co-contributor.

Mornings at my house probably start out a lot like yours: get the kids up, get dressed, eat breakfast, brush teeth... And I don't know about you, but I am always looking for ways to simplify my mornings.  One of the best ways I've found is to make food ahead of time that is easy to take with you on the go.  Or just trying to make sure you actually get to eat a little something in the midst of your morning craziness.  I can't count the number of times I've hit 10am and I'm starving and starting to get a little hangry when I realize it's because I've been up for 3+ hours without food...

Which is why I'm sharing today's recipe for applesauce muffins.  These muffins are so yummy!  Not to mention super easy to whip up--they take maybe 10 minutes from start to finish!  They are moist and not overly sweet, which is perfect for mornings or even after school snacks.  My kids love these, especially the cinnamon sugar sprinkled on top, which they always eat first.

The ingredients for these muffins are things that I always have on hand.  Check it out:

First, cream your butter and sugar together.  Then add your eggs in, one at a time, until the mixture is fluffy.

Next, add in your dry ingredients.  I don't worry about sifting them in or anything special.  Also, notice that there is 1 Tbsp of baking powder.  This might seem like a lot for only 12 muffins, but trust me.  The baking powder will help increase the volume (creating taller muffins) and lighten up the texture.  Your batter will be very thick.

*Here's a fun little kitchen hack for you: Whenever I make cupcakes or muffins, I use an ice cream scoop.  It helps me get just the right amount of batter into the cups, creates uniform sizes and it's much less messy.  For these muffins, I fill the scoop to the top and it gives me 12 generously filled muffin tins.

Put them in the oven for 12-16 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the tops are slightly golden brown.  Let them cool for about 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, melt the butter in a small bowl and mix up the cinnamon sugar in another small bowl.  I sprinkle cinnamon sugar on a lot of different things, so I have mine in a shaker.  While the muffins are still warm, dip the top in the butter and then sprinkle or dip the top in the cinnamon sugar.

Applesauce Muffins
(makes 12 muffins)
adapted from here

Ingredients: 

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar 
• 2 eggs 
• 3/4 cups applesauce 
• 1 3/4 cups flour 
• 1 Tbsp baking powder 
• 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon  
• 1/2 tsp salt

Topping:

• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 tsp cinnamon

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line muffin tins.
2. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar together.
3. Beat eggs in until fluffy.
4. Add applesauce and mix.
5. Add dry ingredients and mix well.  The batter will be very thick.
6. Place in muffin tins and bake for 12-16 minutes, or until inserted toothpick comes out clean.
7. Melt butter.  Combine sugar and cinnamon in small bowl.
8. While the muffins are still warm, dip the top in melted butter and then in cinnamon sugar mixuture.          

*Store in an airtight container.

*You can freeze these but I would recommend waiting to put the butter and cinnamon/sugar on top until after they have thawed out.

What are your go-to breakfast foods?