Cinnamon Sugar Donut Muffins

These muffins are as delicious as they look. I saw them a couple times posted on Pinterest and Foodgawker and couldn't resist any longer after I saw them on The Best Think I Ever Ate. I just love anything with cinnamon!

I really like this recipe from Baked Perfection because you can claim that it's "healthier" than the average muffin. I used half whole wheat flour and used fat free yogurt. I also doubled the amount of cinnamon and added some nutmeg. They are absolutely amazing while they're still warm from the oven!

Ingredients:

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup whole wheat flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon

1 teaspoon nutmeg
2 large eggs
1 cup fat free yogurt
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
4 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
Topping:
1/2 stick butter, melted
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp cinnamon

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease muffin pan with cooking spray.
2. Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda salt, and cinnamon in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, yogurt, sugar, oil, and vanilla. Add flour mixture and mix with light strokes until the dry ingredients are just moistened. Do not over mix; batter will not be smooth.
3. Divide batter among the muffin cups and bake until a toothpick inserted in one or two of the muffins come out clean, 12-15 minutes.
4. While the muffins are baking, melt 1/2 stick butter and place in a bowl just large enough to hold a muffin. Combine 1/4 cup of sugar and 1 tsp. cinnamon in a small, shallow bowl. As soon as the muffing are done, brush them one at a time in the melted butter and then roll in the sugar mixture. Set on parchment paper to cool.

Makes 12 muffins

Apple Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Once I get into fall mode it is not stop baking for me! My first treat was an apple cake with cream cheese icing. I've actually made this cake a few times already, but haven't been able to get a picture of it. So, finally here it is! Evan literally had to make himself stop eating it the first time I made it! It's perfect of a light dessert, and even better for breakfast with a big cup of coffee. The cake is made with apple sauce, and since they are so delicious this time of year, I decided to make my own! It turned out perfect. 

Recipe adapted from Foodista.

Ingredients: 

Cake:

2 1/2 cups flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1 1/2 salt

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup white sugar

1/2 cup light brown sugar

1/2 cup milk

2 eggs

1 1/2 cups apple sauce*

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Frosting:

8 ounces light cream cheese, room temperature

5 cups confectioner sugar, sifted
1 tsp cinnamon

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions:

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. 

In a medium sized bowl, sift  together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon, and nutmeg. 

In a separate bowl, with an electric mixer, beat together the oil and both kinds of sugar. Then add the eggs, vanilla and apple sauce. Gradually add in the flour mixture and milk and beat until smooth.
 

Grease the bottom of two 9 inch round cake pans and divide the batter among the two.

Bake for 22-25 minutes.

In a mixer, beat softened cream cheese with confectioner sugar until just incorporated.  Add vanilla and cinnamon and beat until smooth.

Cool and spread cream cheese frosting. Store in the refrigerator until ready to eat.

Homemade Apple Sauce

Ingredients:

4 large red apples (peeled, cored, and cut into chunks)

2 cinnamon sticks

A pinch of nutmeg and salt

1 tablespoon of brown sugar

Directions: 

• Combine all ingredients in a pot and add about a half inch of water.
• Cover and bring to a boil.
• Remove cover and reduce to a simmer for about 30 minutes. Apples will become very soft. Mash with a fork until you reach your desired consistency.