Applesauce Oatmeal Muffins

YIELD: MAKES 12 MUFFINS

I always double this recipe because they freeze so well!

INGREDIENTS

1 cup rolled/old-fashioned oats
1 cup unsweetened applesauce*
1/2 cup milk (1/2 & 1/2, condensed milk, almond milk...whatever you have)
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 tablespoons butter or coconut oil, melted
1/3 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup whole wheat flour**
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup dried cranberries or raisins, optional
1/2 cup chopped walnuts, peanuts or pecans

DIRECTIONS

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with liners or grease the muffin cups.

In a medium bowl, stir together the oatmeal, applesauce, milk, egg, vanilla, melted oil and sugar.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt (and cranberries, nuts or raisins if using).

Make a well in the center and pour in the applesauce mixture. Stir until just combined (don't overmix or the muffins will be dense and dry).

Distribute the batter evenly among the 12 muffin cups. I usually sprinkle a bit of crushed nuts/rolled oats on top.  Bake for 15-20 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Don't overbake or the muffins will be dry. Internal temp 209)

Remove the muffins to a rack to cool completely.

A frozen muffin is perfect after 20 seconds in microwave.

*I have had a bag of apples that were soft, so I cored them, chopped them (skin and all) simmered on the stovetop with some water and cinnamon until chunky applesauce consistency...and used this chunky sauce in the recipe....love the chopped peels...you don't really know what that tart bite is....

**I really like the whole wheat pastry flour, it doesn't leave that back of the tongue whole wheatness flavor that I am not used to....I can only find it online though: Link: http://smile.amazon.com/dp/B004IN43PS