Applesauce Muffins

1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats (can use quick oats)

1 cup unsweetened applesauce
½ cup milk
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla
¼ cup butter or coconut oil, melted
⅓ cup granulated sugar or honey
¾ cup whole wheat flour or all purpose
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp salt
½ cup dried cranberries or raisins or mini chocolate chips (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

1.  Preheat the oven to 375℉. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with liners or grease the muffin cups. Set aside.

2. In a medium bowl, stir together the oatmeal, applesauce, milk, egg, vanilla, butter and sugar. Set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt (and cranberries or raisins or chocolate chips if using). 

3.  Make a well in the center and pour in the applesauce mixture. Stir until just combined (don’t overmix or the muffins will be dense and dry). The muffin batter texture might be a bit different (wetter) than other muffin batters. 

4. Distribute the batter evenly among the 12 muffin cups. Bake for 15-20 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Don’t overbake or the muffins will be dry.
Remove the muffins to a rack to cool completely.  These freeze well.

from Mel's Kitchen Cafe