Cooking with Kids: Fun and Easy Applesauce Muffins

When it's rainy and you're stuck indoors, it can be fun to get the children involved in the kitchen with an easy, kid-friendly recipe. My kids love to help make these easy applesauce muffins almost as much as they enjoy eating them. With a crunchy brown-sugar topping and a hint of spice, they're perfect with breakfast or an anytime treat.

Kids can help to stir and mix the ingredients together, spoon the batter into the prepared muffin pan, and test the muffins to see if they're done. (Keep little hands away from hot ovens and pans, though—safety first!) One thing I often do to make the whole process go more smoothly is to measure out all the ingredients first and array them on the counter. That way they're waiting for the kids when they come into the kitchen to help.

Ingredients

• 1 stick (8 tablespoons) butter
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs
• 2/3 cup brown sugar
• 1 3/4 cups applesauce

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with bake cups (or lightly oil a non-stick muffin tin) and set aside.
2. In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter (it takes about 30 to 60 seconds on high); set aside to let it cool a bit.
3. Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, spices, and salt into a large mixing bowl.
4. In another large bowl, whisk together the eggs and brown sugar. Stir in the applesauce and melted butter until the mixture is smooth.
5. Pour the apple mixture over the flour mixture. Mix with a wooden spoon until combined and you can't see any traces of flour. Don’t over-mix or the texture will be rubbery.
6. Fill the bake cups about two-thirds full with batter.
7. Have kids help sprinkle a little bit of brown sugar on top of muffins. (This gives the muffins a crunchy top).
8. Bake for 12 minutes or until light brown
9. Have your kids test for doneness by inserting a toothpick in the middle of one muffin. If it comes out clean, the muffins are ready! Let cool for 15 minutes. Makes one dozen muffins.