Country Applesauce Muffins

Hi, Everyone! Happy Weekend! I hope you all had a great week and are having a relaxing weekend now! My husband and I just got back from visiting his grandparents in Pennsylvania, where everything turned into a winter wonderland within a couple of hours yesterday! Everything looked so peaceful and beautiful as we drove down the windy country roads, and as the wind was blowing the snow around it looked like all the hills were getting powdered with a coating of shimmery white glitter. It was just beautiful! And on cold days like that, there is nothing better than a kitchen full of freshly baked goodies to warm you up! These Country Applesauce Muffins are the perfect comfort for a snowy day – they have that wonderful homey taste, and are so quick and easy to make!

2 cups all-purpose flour

2/3 cup granulated sugar

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp kosher salt

1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp ground allspice

1 cup chopped walnuts

1/3 cup oil

1 egg

1 heaping cup applesauce (I used natural unsweetened)

*Optional: 1/2 cup raisins

1. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, salt and allspice. Set aside.

2. In your electric mixer bowl, mix together the oil, egg and applesauce (*I used natural unsweetened applesauce, but if you want some added sweetness just use the regular applesauce) until you get a smooth mixture. Begin adding your dry ingredients in portions, and mix until all ingredients are incorporated. Then, add in the chopped walnuts (and raisins, if you are adding them).

3. Preheat your oven to 350 deg F and line a standard muffin pan with muffin cups. Drop about 1/4 cup of the batter into each muffin cup. Bake for 20 – 30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted into the center of the muffins. Let cool for a couple of minutes before eating. Serve warm.