These easy applesauce muffins have been a favorite in our family for years. They’re soft, simple to make, and topped with the most delicious buttery cinnamon sugar topping. Made with basic pantry ingredients, they’re perfect for an easy breakfast, after-school snack, or a little something sweet to tuck into a lunchbox.
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My mom used to make these delicious muffins for us when we were young and my kiddos love them just as much as I did. They were actually one of the first recipes I learned to make when I was learning to bake.
I love that such a simple recipe has stuck around all these years. Every time I make a batch—or eat one—they take me right back to my childhood.
One of the really great things about these muffins is that you can make them with ingredients you have on hand. I always keep a jar of applesauce in my pantry so I can make these muffins on a whim.
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These were one of my go-to after-school snacks when my kids were younger. Everyone loved them, and they were just filling enough to tide hungry kids over until dinner. They also freeze really well! I usually freeze the muffins without the cinnamon sugar topping, then add the topping after they’ve thawed.
How to Make Easy Applesauce Muffins
Start by creaming together the softened butter and sugar. Beat in the eggs one at a time until the mixture is light and fluffy, then mix in the applesauce. Add the dry ingredients and mix just until combined.
Line a muffin tin with paper liners. I’ve been using these natural muffin liners from Walmart and love keeping a big pack on hand for muffins and cupcakes.
My secret for getting evenly cooked, perfectly shaped muffins every time is my trusty 2 oz Vollrath scoop. Use your scoop to divide the batter evenly between the prepared muffin cups, filling each about 2/3 full. Bake at 350°F until the tops are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
While the muffins are still warm dip in melted butter and then in cinnamon sugar mixture. It’s such a simple finishing touch, but that buttery cinnamon sugar topping is what makes these applesauce muffins so good!
- ½ cup butter
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- ¾ cups Mott’s Natural Applesauce
- 1 ¾ cups flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- ½ tsp Salt
- Topping:
- ¼ cup butter, melted
- ½ cup sugar
- ¼ tsp cinnamon
- Cream butter and sugar.
- Beat in eggs one at a time until fluffy.
- Add applesauce and mix.
- Sift in dry ingredients.
- Place in muffin tins and bake at 350 F for 12-18 min, or until golden.
- While the muffins are still warm dip in melted butter and then in cinnamon sugar mixture.
More Easy Recipes to Try
If you love these applesauce muffins, here are a few more simple family favorites to try:
- Flourless Peanut Butter Banana Blender Muffins
- Healthy Chocolate Banana Muffins
- Healthy Oatmeal Blender Pancakes
- 25 Fun Apple Snacks
I hope these easy applesauce muffins become a favorite in your home too! They’re one of those simple recipes I’ve made again and again over the years, and I love that they’re still just as good as I remember them from when I was growing up.
If you love easy, family-friendly recipes like this one, be sure to follow Quick & Easy Family Recipes on Facebook for more simple ideas to make feeding your family a little easier.
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These look amazing and yum! As I only have a small oven – could you let me know how many muffins you can bake with one batch? Thanks 🙂
It will make 2 dozen muffins.
With a 2 oz scoop I only got 12 muffins??
I will definitely try these! What is your mixer? I haven’t seen one where the paddles are on the side. Thanks!
It’s a Bosch and we love it! 🙂
The first thing I noticed on your video is that you have a Bosch!! I love my Bosch! I bought my first one when I was single age 20. My entire family are Bosch people.
How long do you bake them?
Yes, how long? I was wondering the same!
I made these today to take to a 4th July potluck picnic (along with large pan mac & cheese). I used my measuring tablespoon & filled 37 “mini” muffin lined cups. Baked 16 minutes. (Did measurements as noted in your recipe; but, found did not have cinnamon! – so used cinnamon-sugar – not sure how the topping will be.) It is a nice easy recipe to follow. Enjoy.
Love, Jo-Anne (NJ)
Just made these. I am in love! I used barely flour, put apple chunks in them, and used brown sugar on top. I could probably eat them all before the hubby gets home!
Was wondering how long you bake them?
1 table spoon baking soda??? is that correct?
Yes.
I meant to say is 1tblsp baking powder correct?
These look delicious. I was wondering if there’s a way to incorporate grated veggies somehow to make these more healthy? Wouldn’t want the flavor to be weird though…
I use flavored applesauce a whenever I make applesauce muffins. It started as a way to use up baby food. They work so well and give them a little extra flavor. My husband LOVES them!
I’m going to try this with cinnamon applesauce! I can’t wait to try these!
Just made these and they are delicious!!! I like that they are moist and have just a touch of sweetness!
Does this say “softened butter” anywhere and I missed it? Or do you try to cream it with sugar cold?
Butter should be soft.
What about adding raisins to the Easy Applesauce Muffins, and if so, how much?
On my second batch of these muffins! First round I used homemade applesauce and a bit of unfiltered apple juice to increase the flavor. Second time I used homemade apple ginger pear sauce and the juice again. Yum!!!
I also added cinnamon and vanilla to the batter both times. Since my 3 yo is eating these I baked them as mini muffins (10 minutes at 350 degrees in my oven) and opted not to add the sugar spice topping.
I’m going to continue to play around with this recipe; maybe pumpkin butter for the next batch.
LOVE the tweaks you made to the recipe @TahoeMama! If you try with pumpkin butter you’ll have to let me know how they turn out! 🙂
This turned out really yummy!! I added a little sour cream as well as a small amount of almond extract (maybe 1/4 teaspoon) because I add that combo of ingredients to almost all baked goods. I just can’t stop myself. I also baked it in a loaf pan out of sheer laziness. So good!! Thank you so much for a great recipe!
So glad you enjoyed this recipe Laurel! I need to try them in a loaf pan next time. Oh, and sneak in some almond extract! Yum.
I just made these and they are delicious! I posted them on my blog with a link back to your recipe. Thanks for sharing.
Lisa
Hi! Are you using white sugar or brown sugar in your muffins?
White sugar.
This is my second time making these with a few changes. I used coconut oil for butter, not quite all of the sugar, splash of vanilla, 1 tablespoon blackstrap molasses, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and skipped the topping. Really delicious!!
I made a mistake and mixed the sugar and cinnamon into the butter for the topping instead of just dipping the muffins but it still turned out great! I also didn’t have enough white sugar for the topping so I added brown sugar and I just spooned the mixture onto the top. Will definitely make again.
I’m curious about your mixer. What kind is it and where did you find it?
Karla – it’s a Bosch Mixer and I LOVE mine!! You can find it here –> http://amzn.to/2vNEDHy
Is it baking powder or baking soda? Also is the cinnamon and sugar in the ingredients for in the muffin mix or is it for the topping?
I baked these in a donut hole tin pan and they turned out so good! My family loved them a little “donut holes”! Great recipe.
What a fun idea!