Healthy Apple Spice Cake Muffins
Ingredients:
For the Muffins:
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour (or you can use all-purpose flour)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 large egg
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk (or regular milk)
1/4 cup maple syrup or honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup peeled, diced apple (about 1 medium apple)
For the Crumble Topping:
2 tablespoons whole wheat flour
2 tablespoons oats
1 tablespoon light brown sugar or coconut sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon cold butter or coconut oil (cut into small pieces)
Instructions:
Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
Prepare the Crumble Topping:
In a small bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Add the cold butter (or coconut oil) and use a fork or pastry cutter to work it into the dry ingredients until the mixture becomes crumbly. Set aside.
Make the Muffin Batter:
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the whole wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, applesauce, almond milk, maple syrup (or honey), and vanilla extract.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. Gently fold in the diced apples.
Assemble the Muffins:
Divide the batter evenly among the 12 muffin cups. They should be about 3/4 full.
Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the batter in each muffin cup.
Bake the Muffins:
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. The tops should be golden brown.
Cool and Serve:
Let the muffins cool in the tin for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy warm or store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Frequently Asked Questions (Q/A):
1. Can I use a different type of flour?
Yes, you can use all-purpose flour if you prefer. You could also use oat flour or a gluten-free flour blend if you’re looking for a gluten-free option.
2. Can I use a different sweetener?
Yes! You can substitute the maple syrup with honey, agave, or a sugar substitute that works for you. Just make sure the consistency stays similar—if the substitute is liquid, you may need to adjust the wet ingredients slightly.
3. Can I skip the crumble topping to make them even lighter?
Absolutely! You can skip the crumble topping to reduce the calories and points. The muffins will still be delicious and flavorful without it.
4. How can I store these muffins?
Store these muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, keep them in the fridge for up to a week or freeze them for up to 3 months.
5. Can I make these muffins without apples?
Yes! If you don’t have apples, you could use other fruits like pears, berries, or even mashed bananas as a substitute. Keep in mind that different fruits may change the texture a bit.
6. Can I make these muffins ahead of time?
Yes, these muffins are perfect for meal prep! You can bake them ahead of time and store them in an airtight container. They also freeze well, so you can make a big batch and enjoy them throughout the week.
7. Can I make the muffins vegan?
Yes! You can easily make these muffins vegan by using a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water) instead of the regular egg, and substitute the butter in the topping with coconut oil or a vegan butter alternative.
8. How can I make these muffins less sweet?
If you prefer a less sweet muffin, you can reduce the amount of maple syrup or honey by 1-2 tablespoons. The apples will still provide some sweetness, and the spices will give them plenty of flavor.
These Apple Spice Cake Muffins are perfect for a healthy breakfast, snack, or even dessert! The combination of spiced apple, whole wheat flour, and the crumble topping makes them both satisfying and delicious. Plus, with just 2 Weight Watchers points per muffin (or 3 for two muffins), they’re guilt-free, too.