Applesauce is the secret to these super-tender and moist muffins, which you don’t even need a mixer to make! Buckwheat flour is our secret ingredient; it adds nuttiness and depth that pairs perfectly with apples and cinnamon.
Step 1
Preheat oven to 350º. In a medium bowl, sift together both flours, baking soda, salt, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, and nutmeg. Whisk to combine.
Step 2
In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, light brown sugar, ½ cup granulated sugar, vanilla, applesauce, and the egg. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in two additions, stirring until just combined.
Step 3
In a small bowl, combine remaining 3 tablespoons granulated sugar and remaining ½ teaspoon cinnamon. Coat cups of muffin tins with nonstick cooking spray, and sprinkle 2/3 of the sugar in the bottom and around the sides of each cup, saving ⅓ to sprinkle on top of the muffins.
Step 4
Divide muffin batter evenly between the cups (about ¼ cup per muffin), and sprinkle tops with remaining cinnamon sugar.
Step 5
Bake, rotating halfway through, until a toothpick inserted in the center of the largest muffin comes out clean, 17 to 20 minutes.