Ellie's Apple-Pecan Muffins

By Ellie Krieger, MS, RD

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Ingredients

  • Cooking spray
  • 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons firmly packed dark brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup chopped pecans
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup whole-grain pastry flour or whole wheat flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup canola oil
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup natural unsweetened applesauce
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup low-fat buttermilk
  • 1 Golden Delicious apple, cored, peeled, and cut into 1/4-inch pieces

Cooking Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Coat a 12-cup muffin pan with cooking spray.
  2. In a small bowl, mix together 2 tablespoons of the brown sugar, the pecans, and cinnamon. Set aside.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together both flours, the baking soda, and salt.
  4. In a large bowl, whisk the remaining 3/4 cup brown sugar and the oil until combined. Add the eggs, one at a time, whisking well after each addition. Whisk in the applesauce and vanilla. Stir in the flour mixture in two batches, alternating with the buttermilk, just until combined. Gently stir in the apple chunks.
  5. Pour the batter into the prepared muffin pan, filling each one about two-thirds full, and sprinkle evenly with the pecan mixture. Tap the pan on the counter a few times to remove any air bubbles. Bake until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center of one of the muffins comes out clean, about 20 minutes.
  6. Let cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Run a knife around the muffins to loosen them and unmold. Enjoy warm or let cool completely before storing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Recipe provided courtesy of Ellie Krieger. © 2008-2009 In Balance, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

To learn more about Ellie Krieger, MS, RD -- New York Times bestselling author and host of Food Network’s Healthy Appetite -- go to www.elliekrieger.com.

For more of Ellie Krieger's recipes, eat-smart advice, and tips, check out her Kaboose column, Great Food, Healthy Family.

Nutrition Facts


Servings per Recipe:

12 (serving size: 1 muffin)

Amount Per Serving

Calories: 213
Total Fat: 8g
    Sat: 1g
    Mono: 3g
    Poly: 1.5g
Protein: 4g
Carb: 35g
Fiber: 2g
Cholesterol: 36mg
Sodium: 236mg

Servings:

12 (serving size: 1 muffin)


This dish is an excellent source of thiamin.

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