Whole Wheat Apple Cinnamon Muffins

Prep Time: 15 minutes

 Cook Time: 24 minutes 

Total Time: 40 minutes 

Yield: 15 muffins

Description :

These healthy, simple, and amazing whole wheat apple cinnamon muffins are made without refined sugar.

Ingredients :

• 2 cups (245g) whole wheat flour* (spoon & leveled)
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon allspice
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (64g) chopped pecans*
• 3 large eggs
• 2/3 cup (160ml) pure maple syrup (not breakfast syrup, the real stuff)*
• 1/3 cup (80ml) vegetable, canola oil, or melted coconut oil
• 1/3 cup (60g) smooth unsweetened applesauce*
• 1 and 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 2 cups (240g) shredded/grated apple (about 2 apples)*

Instructions :

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (218°C)⁶. Spray a 12-count muffin pan with nonstick spray or use cupcake liners. This recipe makes 15 muffins, so prepare a second muffin pan with 3 liners.
2. In a large bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, allspice, salt, and pecans together until combined. Set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs, maple syrup, oil, applesauce, and vanilla together until combined. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stir a few times, then add the grated apple. Fold everything together gently just until combined and no flour pockets remain.
3. Spoon the batter into liners, filling them all the way to the top. Bake for 5 minutes at 425 then, keeping the muffins in the oven, reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (177°C). Bake for an additional 18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The total time these muffins take in the oven is about 23-24 minutes, give or take. (For mini muffins, bake 11-14 minutes at 350°F (177°C).) Allow the muffins to cool for 5 minutes in the muffin pan, then transfer to a wire rack to continue cooling.
4. Muffins stay fresh covered at room temperature for a few days, then transfer to the fridge for up to 1 week.

Notes :

1. Freezing Instructions: For longer storage, freeze muffins for up to 3 months. Allow to thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then bring to room temperature or warm up in the microwave if desired.
2. Flour: 2 cups of white whole wheat, whole wheat pastry flour, or all-purpose flour work too.
3. Pecans: Instead of pecans, try chopped walnuts or even sunflower seeds. Or leave out completely. If using the nuts, feel free to toast them for 10 minutes at 300°F (148°C).
4. Sweetener: You can use honey for the maple syrup, but the flavor will be different. Maple works so well with the apple cinnamon!
5. Applesauce: Instead of applesauce, use an extra 1/3 cup of oil.
6. Apples: Use a sweeter variety of apple that you love. I’ve used Pink Lady and Fuji. Both fantastic in these.
7. Why the Initial High Temperature? The hot burst of air will spring up the top of the muffin quickly, then the inside of the muffin can bake for the remainder of the time. This helps the muffins rise nice and tall.
8. Nutrition Information: Using SparkRecipes calculator, these muffins come out to 184 calories, 8g fat, 25g carbs each.
9. Adapted from Simple Morning Glory Muffins.