Cinnamon Swirl Applesauce Muffins

1.Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with paper liners or grease it with non-stick spray.

2.In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon until well combined.

3.In another bowl, mix the melted butter and brown sugar until smooth and creamy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the applesauce until fully incorporated.

4.Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are okay.

5.In a small bowl, combine the granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon to create the cinnamon swirl mixture.

6.Spoon about half of the muffin batter into the prepared muffin cups, filling them about halfway. Sprinkle a teaspoon of the cinnamon swirl mixture over the batter in each cup, then add the remaining muffin batter on top, filling the cups almost to the top. Finish by sprinkling the remaining cinnamon swirl mixture over the batter in each muffin cup.

7.Using a toothpick or a skewer, gently swirl the batter to create a marbled effect, being careful not to mix it too much.

8.Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.

9.Once baked, remove the muffins from the oven and let them cool in the pan for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.