Applesauce Pecan Muffins

Before turning my thoughts to Lenten recipes, I wanted to make this moist, spicy muffin recipe I'd been saving for a while. It goes great with a cup of coffee or tea!

10 of the 12 Applesauce Pecan Muffins (Sorry, we ate 2 before the picture was taken!)

Applesauce Pecan Muffins                        
Yield: 12 muffins   
            

Muffin ingredients

Ingredients:

1 large apple, peeled and shredded

1/8 tsp. cinnamon

1 Tbsp. honey

1/2 tsp. lemon juice

1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/8 tsp. allspice       

1/4 tsp. salt               

2 Tbsp. vegetable oil

1 large egg   

1/2 to 3/4 cup brown sugar, loosely packed (depending on sweetness level you prefer)

1 & 1/2 cups unsweetened applesauce

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

baking spray

¼ cup chopped pecans


Directions:

In a medium bowl mix together shredded apple, 1/8 tsp cinnamon, honey, and lemon juice. Set aside.

Preheat oven to 350°. Spray a 12-count muffin tin with baking spray or line with cupcake papers.

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice and salt. Set aside.

In a large bowl mix oil, egg, brown sugar, apple sauce and vanilla; mix with a wooden spoon until thick. 

Muffin Batter

Add the flour mixture to the applesauce mixture. Stir until well-combined. Do not over mix. Fold in shredded apples and pecans. Scoop batter into prepared muffin tin until each is about ¾ full.

Bake in the center rack about 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the pan cool at least 10 minutes before removing muffins from pan. Once removed, place muffins on wire rack to cool completely.

Cooled muffins can be frozen by placing them in freezer storage bags or a freezer-safe lidded container. Defrost muffins in the refrigerator, or in a microwave for a few seconds on low lower.