Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Applesauce-Oat Bran Muffins


I was really excited to see that my library had Veganomicon as I've seen many people posting recipes from it and have been curious. I've since bought the cookbook but have only tried out a few recipes from it so far. These delicious applesauce oat bran muffins are one of the recipes I've tried. I've made them many times, with modifications to make them healthier.

Which brings me to the Healthy Cooking event hosted by Fun and Food that I'm taking part in. The point behind this event is to gather vegetarian recipes (including baked goods) that are healthy, and I know I could definitely use some new healthy recipes! And a bonus is that a winner will be chosen and will receive a free healthy cookbook. What I did to make these muffins healthier is what I usually do with muffins - swap applesauce for oil (which works especially well in this recipe since it's an applesauce muffin!), omit the sugar, use whole grain flours, and add healthy nuts and dried fruit.


I changed the spices a bit (added more cinnamon and added some cloves) to simplify it rather than measuring out a tiny bit of a few different spices. So add whatever spice mixture you like to this (cloves, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, nutmeg, allspice)! I've also tried making these muffins with combinations of flours with success, like a mix of whole wheat flour and amaranth flour. And of course switch out the raisins and pecans/walnuts for other favourite fruit and/or nut combinations. I haven't tried any yet because I'm really stuck on this version, but I bet chopped dried apples would be perfect. This is probably one of my favourite healthy muffin discoveries/creations!


Other muffins/loaves I've made:
Mini Pear Loaves
Chocolate Walnut Banana Bread
Pumpkin Pecan Raisin Muffins
Snickerdoodle Muffins

Applesauce-Oat Bran Muffins
Adapted from Veganomicon

Makes 12 muffins

3/4 cup unsweetened soy milk
1/2 tsp apple cider vinegar
1 cup + 3 tbsp unsweetened applesauce
2 tbsp sugar (optional)
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour (or a combination of whole wheat flour and other flours, such as 1/2 cup amaranth flour and 1 cup whole wheat)
3/4 cup oat bran
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp cloves
1/8 tsp salt
1/3 cup raisins
1/2 cup pecans or walnuts, chopped

Preheat the oven to 350F and lightly grease a 12 cup muffin tin.

In a large bowl, whisk together the soy milk and apple cider vinegar; allow it to rest for 1 minute to curdle. Add the applesauce, and sugar (if using), and whisk to completely incorporate them.

In a separate smaller bowl, sift together the flour, oat bran, baking powder, baking soda, spices, and salt. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet; stir only to moisten and don't overmix. Fold in the raisins and pecans. Use an ice cream scoop or measuring cup to scoop the batter into muffin cups.

Bake for 28 to 30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the middle of a muffin comes out clean. Allow the muffins to cool in the tin for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to complete cooling.

27 comments:

Mansi said...

soy, amaranth, whole wheat, no sugar and no egg!! you go girl! thanks so much for a wonderfully healthy recipe Ashley!:)

Patricia Scarpin said...

These are fantastic. I love it that you increased the amount of cinnamon!

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

I'm so glad that you liked the muffins, AND Veganomicon!! :0)

Fitness Foodie said...

I love making muffins and always looking for new recipes. This recipe sounds delicious and of course healthy.

Anonymous said...

These look fabulous. Your choice of spices sounds perfect, and I bet the apple flavor REALLY shines through. Nice way to improve on the Veganomicon version!

Anonymous said...

These look so good. I love all those spices together, and it's even better that these are healthy!

Beth (jamandcream) said...

Im always on the look out for healthy breakfast muffins. These fit the bill perfectly as I love apples - will def be trying these!

Anonymous said...

The world could definitely use more healthy muffins- Especially ones that look this good!

test it comm said...

These muffins sound healthy and good!

Anonymous said...

Those look excellent! Thanks for health-ifying them for us.

grace said...

these muffins actually look ridiculously healthy (that texture is incredible!), and i'm sure they taste delightful. after all, there is cinnamon involved. :)

Anonymous said...

These look great.Thanks for sharing the recipe.

Deborah said...

I love muffins, and the fact that they are healthy is even better!

Cakespy said...

Wow! I have to admit that if I had solely seen the ingredients I might not have been interested, but seeing them made, they look gorgeous and delicious!

winedeb said...

Yum! These look great and I would love to have one with my morning tea! I can smell those spices now! Hope you are enjoying your summer!

Anonymous said...

Those look perfect! I love your healthy spin on them. They look like one of those to-drool-for muffins in bake shops :)

Lore said...

Healthy is never boring nor less tasty so why not embrace it? Your muffins look like the best place to start. Delicious!

Lisa Turner said...

I'll have to give these a try. I haven't made muffins for a while, as it's been too hot for the oven. I have only begun to explore "Veganomicon", and despite the few errors I have found so, I'm looking forward to trying more recipes from the book.

Jacqueline Meldrum said...

These look so healthy, but they sound so delicious!
Can I put porridge oats in instead of oat bran or are they one and the same?

Jacqueline Meldrum said...

Hi Ashley, thank you for emailing me some tips!

Oh and I have tagged you for a photo meme, because I love your photos :)

La Cuisine d'Helene said...

I did receive the book from the library but I have to tell you that I did not fall in love with the book. I may give it another try. I really like their other book: VCTOTW.

Sunshinemom said...

I recently requested for a recipe at veganomicon - am yet to try it! Love this recipe! Thanks:)

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much for blogging a great recipe! I am not a vegan, but completely appreciate your recipes. I tweaked it a little bit because I didn't have ground cloves and I threw in an egg to help it glue. I love it! Just had one fresh out of the oven. I threw in golden brown sugar, three tablespoons as well. I love that it is not too sweet. This is how a morning muffin should taste.

Anonymous said...

Does it really still taste good without the sugar? Can you eat them plain, or do you need to add like margarine or jelly on top to give it extra flavor because there's no suggar?

I tried to make muffins just using applesauce once, and they tasted like cardboard, so I'm really hoping these are better! Thanks!

eatme_delicious said...

Anonymous: I ate them plain but you have to remember that they're supposed to be healthy muffins so they won't taste like what you're probably used to. You'd be better off adding some sugar (maybe 1/4 cup) and then work your way to no sugar if you want. The applesauce is supposed to replace the fat/oil not the sugar. Good luck! =)

Anonymous said...

Amazing recipe! Thank you!

Lynn said...

I'm searching for the ultimate bran muffin recipe. Yours looks delish! Used to live in Vancouver and was addicted to Bean Around the World's muffins (the shop on Main St.) Tried to get their recipe to no avail. Have you ever tried their muffins? I believe they have a few vegetarian varieties. At any rate, keep sharing muffin recipes!