Oat Bran-Applesauce Muffins

From Martha Stewart's Living came this muffin recipe that let us put our delicious homemade applesauce to good use (besides just digging into the jar with a spoon). The original recipe has you make mini muffins but we opted for normal sized muffins. They came out much moister than I expect mini muffins would. Either way, they are very tasty and have plenty of good stuff inside for your insides. Here is what you need and what you do.

cooking spray
2 cups unsweetened applesauce
2 ounces dates, pitted, chopped (1/2 cup)
1 cup wheat bran
1/2 cup low-fat buttermilk
1 large egg
2 tbsp honey
3/4 tsp grated fresh ginger
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
2 tbsp ground flaxseed
1 1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp allspice
1/4 cup plus 1 tbsp old fashioned oats

Pre-heat oven to 375. Spray muffin tin with cooking spray. In a medium saucepan, cook applesauce and dates over medium heat, stirring frequently, until reduced to 1 1/4 cups (15-20) minutes. Spread on a rimmed baking sheet in an even layer and cool completely.

Transfer to large bowl and stir in bran, buttermilk, egg, honey, ginger, and vanilla. Let stand for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, whisk together flour, flaxseed, baking soda, salt, allspice and 1/4 cup oats. Stir into bran mixture.

Spoon batter into prepared tins, filling to the brims. You can sprinkle remaining tablespoon of oats over muffins but we didn't. Bake until toothpick comes out clean, 21-23 minutes. Let cool completely in pan on wire rack.

Enjoy!