Applesauce Muffins

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups applesauce
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 cup chopped walnuts, optional
• Cinnamon sugar, optional

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line the muffin tin with muffin liners.
2. Beat the softened butter and sugar at medium speed until it’s light and fluffy, about 5 to 7 minutes.
3. Add the eggs, one by one, beating them after every addition. Beat in the vanilla and applesauce.
4. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, allspice, and cloves. Gently mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Mix in the walnuts, if using.
5. Fill the lined muffin tin with batter 3/4 full. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
6. Cool the muffins in the tin for 5 minutes before transferring them onto wire racks. Sprinkle them with cinnamon sugar, if desired. Serve and enjoy!