Applesauce Oat Muffins

Man, I hate the last day of vacation. You're all relaxed and having fun and then BAM out of nowhere you're mind starts thinking of things you have to do when you get home. The laundry, the grocery shopping, the work. such a buzz kill.

Then you have to do the whole airport thing. Which, in itself isn't so terrible, but when you're headed home from vacation people seem extra grumpy and you end up getting frisked because the TSA thinks you're hiding explosives in your hair. WHICH YOU'RE NOT.

And then your mild sunburn starts to itch, which makes you feel guilty for not wearing sunscreen, because you know you're more likely to get skin cancer now. Am I being a total Debbie Downer or what?

But, you know what will make it okay? These muffins. The stirring helps you relax and they're full of oats, applesauce and whole wheat flour so you don't feel super guilty for eating sugary stuff. After all, while you were on vacation you drank soda, root beer floats and giant donuts.

But like I said, these donuts are healthy, comforting and will make you less sad about being back from vacation. You can eat them while you fold your laundry.

A few tips for making these: if you use muffin liners they get kind of moist, so I recommend just spraying the pan and skipping the liners. Second, instead of sifting your flour just whisk briskly a few times before stirring in other ingredients. Also, when you put the topping on it, kind of press the oats into the muffins or else they fall off while you eat them onto your floor, then you have to sweep. 

Applesauce Oat Muffins

makes 12 muffins

(adapted from Fearless Homemaker)

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups regular oats 
• 1 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 3/4 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 cups unsweetened applesauce
• 3 tbsp canola oil
• 1 egg

for the topping

• 1/4 cup oats
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• sprinkle of cinnamon
• 1 tbsp melted butter

To make

1) Preheat oven to 400* F. Spray muffin tin with cooking spray.

2) In a medium bowl mix flour, baking powder and soda. Whisk to mix. Add in oats, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and stir.  In a separate, smaller bowl, mix applesauce, canola oil and egg. Pour into dry ingredients and stir with wooden spoon just until combined.

3) Spoon batter into muffin cups, about 3/4 full. 

4) To make topping, stir oats, brown sugar and cinnamon together. When butter is slightly cooled, pour in and mix. Sprinkle oats on top of batter and press in slightly with fingers. 

5) Bake for 16-18 minutes, until toothpick comes out clean. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes then on rack until completely cool. Enjoy!