Berry season is coming to an end, but don't fret ... apple season is here! Apples are high in pectin, a soluble fiber that lowers blood pressure and glucose levels, and can even lower the "bad" cholesterol in the body. Boron, also found in abundance in apples, supports bone and brain health. Apples also have Vitamins A, C, E. and beta carotene! So it seems there may be some truth to the old adage, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away."
Of course, the healthiest form is simply a whole apple. But for a fun and yummy twist, try our Applesauce Muffins ... and decorate them to look like the real thing. Your kids will eat 'em up!
Applesauce Muffins
Of course, the healthiest form is simply a whole apple. But for a fun and yummy twist, try our Applesauce Muffins ... and decorate them to look like the real thing. Your kids will eat 'em up!
Applesauce Muffins
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 2 cups applesauce
- 2 cups raisin bran cereal
- 2 1/2 cups flour (I use half whole wheat and half unbleached all-purpose)
- 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- For decorating: vanilla frosting, red food coloring, pretzel sticks, gummy worms
Preheat oven to 350℉. In a medium bowl, stir together eggs, applesauce, and cereal. Let stand 10 minutes. Stir brown sugar and oil into cereal mixture until combined. Meanwhile, stir together flour, baking powder, salt, baking soda, and spices in a large bowl. All at once, add cereal mixture to dry ingredients and stir just until moistened (mixture will be thick). Scoop muffin batter into the muffin cups till about 2/3 full. To give the muffins a little bit of an apple shape, place a glass marble or a balled-up piece of aluminum foil in between the liner and the pan (save this trick for heart-shaped muffins for Valentine's Day ... or any day!).
Bake 18 minutes or till a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool completely.
Stir together half a tub of vanilla frosting (save the rest for another batch of cupcakes or just eat it by the spoonful while watching reality TV ... your choice), 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and several drops of red food coloring. We went more "Pink Lady" than "Red Delicious." Frost the cupcakes. Break pretzel sticks in half and insert one at the top of each muffin. Cut the gummy worms in half and stick one half on the top of each muffin.
Enjoy!
Stir together half a tub of vanilla frosting (save the rest for another batch of cupcakes or just eat it by the spoonful while watching reality TV ... your choice), 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and several drops of red food coloring. We went more "Pink Lady" than "Red Delicious." Frost the cupcakes. Break pretzel sticks in half and insert one at the top of each muffin. Cut the gummy worms in half and stick one half on the top of each muffin.
Enjoy!
