This weekend I did a lot of nothing. And when I say nothing, I mean nothing too exciting. I cleaned, I organized, I watched sappy Hallmark movies, and when I needed a break from cheesy acting, I baked. There’s nothing like the smell of cinnamon and sugar, especially when paired with Frank Sinatra music, to put you in the Christmas fall mood.
Okay, so I know we haven’t even gotten to Halloween yet, but I must warn you, if you make these muffins, you might have the urge to turn on the Christmas Pandora station, burn a Christmas candle, and browse through your Christmas decorations (just because). To make myself snap back to reality, I had to open a window and remind myself of the 70 degree temperatures and the fact that it’s still October — but for about an hour, it was Christmas in our apartment 
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Healthier Pumpkin Applesauce Muffins
*adapted from SHAPE
Yields ~26 muffins
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup coconut butter
1 cup sugar
4 large eggs
1 cup applesauce
1 cup pumpkin puree
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2/3 cup apple cider (could also use apple or orange juice)
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375.
Sift together dry ingredients and set aside.
With an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar until smooth. Add the eggs, applesauce, pumpkin and vanilla, and beat lightly. Add a portion of the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, and then add a portion of the apple cider or juice, alternating back and forth until all ingredients are added. Beat until smooth.
Spoon the mixture into greased muffin tins, and bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
These muffins aren’t super sweet, so they’re perfect for breakfast or an afternoon snack. And this recipe makes a lot, so be prepared to wrap some up for your family and friends — I’m sure they’ll appreciate you spreading some Christmas cheer. Just kidding .
they are so cute! great pictures! I have a bunch of appleseauce left over I should use it to make these! (: thanks for the great recipe!
yum!! I bet this recipe would be easy to just cut right in half too. Thanks for sharing!
Oh yeah, definitely! Next time I know to do that
!
Yummy! Emily, you’ve got some great recipes going on! I bet the apple cider adds a wonderful flavor.
What a fabulous excuse to buy apple cider!
Seriously though, they look amazing!! I’ve been in the mood for muffins lately, and these might just be perfect! Although, I think I’m going to switch up the applesauce for pureed banana … might be interesting!!
I’m glad you had such a productive weekend. And I can’t wait for Christmas either!! #noshame
You should try it! I bet it will work!
OH girl, great minds think alike because I posted pumpkin pancakes today. I bet the apple makes it taste so good!
Mmm, I’ll have to check it out!
Mmm! These sound good! I love your leaf garland on the railing, too! So cute!
Hahaha you sound just like me. I’m so tempted to peak through the Christmas decorations as well! I even have a countdown on my phone for Hallmark Channel’s Countdown to Christmas 24/7 movie event. OBSESSED.
Thank you! Aw, I love that you have a countdown! I am counting down the days (in my head) too!
oh gosh so early for xmas but what a great recipe.
I haven’t even thought of Christmas yet!! It will be here soon though, and I’m so not ready for that yet! Those muffins look awesome…. maybe they will get me in the holiday mood!
I hadn’t either, until I went on vacation. I don’t usually take vacations in the fall, so I guess it just felt like a holiday!
Sometimes weekends full of nothing are the perfect kind of weekends! I looveee muffins and these sound delicious!
They sound incredible! Fall always puts me in a baking mood so maybe I will try these our this weekend.
Thanks for sharing. Ps. I love sappy Hallmark movies. 