applesauce muffins

I forgot how much I love baking. Going into the kitchen and creating something out of plain ingredients (that actually tastes good!) is quite something. Unfortunately, since I was caught up in the thrill of the Cuisinart mixer and greasing the muffin pans, I did not take pictures of the process. But I did take pictures of the final result. :) 

These smelled heavenly as they baked. I think the applesauce + the cinnamon was a factor in that. In this recipe, I only used a little cinnamon and nutmeg because we are not big spice fans in our house. But you can use as much or as little as you like. 

| applesauce muffins |

[via taste of home] 

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups applesauce
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 cup chopped walnuts, optional
• Cinnamon-sugar, optional

Directions

• In a bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla; mix well. Stir in applesauce. Combine the flour, baking soda and spices; stir into creamed mixture. Fold in nuts.
• Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups three-fourths full. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks. Sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar if desired. Yield: about 2 dozen.

Enjoy! (And thus ends my first food post. Boom.)