Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 1/2 cup neutral oil (vegetable or melted coconut)
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 2 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tbsp melted butter

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C). Line a 12-cup standard muffin tin with paper liners or grease generously with butter.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the unsweetened applesauce, 3/4 cup brown sugar, neutral oil, egg, and vanilla extract. Whisk vigorously for 60 seconds until the emulsion is glossy and sugars are dissolved.
  3. Sift the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, 1.5 tsp cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt directly into the wet mixture.
  4. Use a silicone spatula to fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture just until no streaks of flour remain. Do not over-mix.
  5. Divide the batter evenly among the 12 muffin cups. In a small bowl, mix the topping ingredients: 2 tbsp granulated sugar, 1 tbsp brown sugar, and 1 tsp cinnamon.
  6. Brush the tops with melted butter and sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture generously over each muffin.
  7. Bake for 20 minutes or until the tops are high-domed and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Transfer to a wire cooling rack.