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Applesauce Mini Muffins are a delightful little muffin filled with apple flavor and topped with a sweet cinnamon sugar combo. An easy recipe that makes a perfect little snack, quick breakfast or tasty lunch item!
These mini muffins are like a tiny cake donut. They have the most wonderful tender texture and are filled with just the right amount of apple flavor. The cinnamon sugar topping just makes these muffins over the top and extra special! It's one bite of pure perfection!
Plus, these muffins are great for the freezer. Make a double batch and freeze the extras so you always have some of these delicious muffins at your disposal!
For even more delicious muffins, check out these recipes for: Easy Blueberry Muffins, Banana Nut Muffins, Chocolate Zucchini Muffins and Cinnamon Sugar Donut Muffins.
This post was originally posted on 01/14/2020 and updated on 06/21/2021.
Applesauce Mini Muffins Ingredients
- Sugar
- Salted Butter
- Egg
- Pure Vanilla Extract
- Unsweetened Applesauce
- Unbleached All Purpose Flour
- Cinnamon
- Baking Soda
- Baking Powder
Substitution Suggestions:
- Salted Butter: I prefer to use salted butter when I bake, you can by all means use unsalted and add ½ teaspoon of salt to the batter.
- Unsweetened Applesauce: I have also made these muffins with this Homemade Applesauce Recipe. I don't suggest using applesauce with a lot of added sugar because the muffins will get to sweet and a sticky texture.
- Unbleached All Purpose Flour: Whole wheat flour can be substituted and gives the muffins a light nutty flavor.
How to Make Applesauce Mini Muffins From Scratch
- Line a mini muffin pan with liners.
- In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of sugar with ½ teaspoon of cinnamon.
- In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment or with hand beaters, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg and vanilla and mix together well.
- Mix in the applesauce just until combined.
- Add the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and baking powder. Mix on low just until combined. Be careful not to over mix the batter.
- Using a small scoop fill muffin cups about ¾ full.
- Sprinkle as much or as little of the cinnamon sugar topping over the muffin batter.
- Bake 12-15 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool in pan 2-3 minutes. Remove from pan and cool completely.
How to Store Applesauce Mini Muffins
Store the cooled muffins in an air tight container or zip top bag at room temperature. They'll stay fresh for 3-4 days.
How to Freeze Applesauce Muffins
Once the muffins are cooled, place them in a freezer safe air tight container or zip top bag in between layers of wax paper. Muffins will keep fresh in the freezer for at least 4 months but even longer if frozen properly. To thaw the muffins let them sit a couple hours at room temperature.
FAQs About Applesauce Mini Muffins
First, applesauce freezes great so you can freeze any amount of extra applesauce you have. It also works well as an oil, butter or egg replacement in baked goods. Some baked items that are delicious with applesauce are muffins, cakes, quick breads and scones.
The most important step is to not over mix the batter. Over mixing will cause the muffins to become dense, dry and too crumbly. Another tip is to always fluff your flour before measuring it. Flour becomes packed while just sitting waiting to be used and if not fluffed you could be adding too much flour to the recipe which would also result in dry muffins.
First, check that your leavening agent isn't expired or old. If the baking soda or baking powder is old and expired it won't do it's job properly in baked goods. Next, make sure that you are not undermixing your batter, it is important to have the baking soda or powder mixed thoroughly so each muffin will rise the same. Lastly, make sure you are baking at the right temperature. If the oven is not hot enough it won't lift the batter properly.
Looking for even more muffin recipes? Here are some of our favorites:
- Banana Bread Dark Chocolate Chip Muffins
- Cranberry Orange Muffins
- Strawberry Banana Muffins
- Apple Pie Muffins
- Applesauce Carrot Breakfast Muffins
- Pumpkin Zucchini Muffins
- Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Muffins
Applesauce Mini Muffins
Ingredients
- ½ cup salted butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup applesauce, unsweetened
- 2 cups unbleached all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Line a mini muffin pan with paper liners.
- In a small bowl, combine the sugar and cinnamon for the topping.
- In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment or with hand beaters, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add in egg and vanilla, mix well.
- Add applesauce and mix just until combined.
- Add flour, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder and mix on low just until combined. Be careful not to over mix.
- Scoop batter into muffin pan filling about ¾ full.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes or until a tooth pick comes out clean.
- Let cool in pan for 3 minutes then remove to cool completely.
Dee says
Delicious recipe!!