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Top view of homemade muffins in a glass dish on a wooden table.

Two-ingredient muffins with spice cake mix and applesauce

Applesauce Muffins

Applesauce Muffins

25 minEasy

Prep Time

5 min

Cook Time

20 min

Total Time

25 min

Servings

12

12 muffins

Difficulty

Easy

Cost

Budget

$

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Applesauce Muffins

Two-ingredient muffins with spice cake mix and applesauce

Incredibly easy muffins made with just spice cake mix and applesauce—no eggs, no oil, no butter. The easiest muffin recipe that produces surprisingly moist, flavorful results.

5m

Prep Time

20m

Cook Time

25m

Total Time

12

Servings

Easy

Difficulty

Budget $

Cost

Main CourseBreakfastSnackVegetarian
Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen

March 8, 2025(Updated April 13, 2026)

These applesauce muffins are famous for their simplicity—just two main ingredients stirred together and baked. The applesauce replaces eggs, oil, and water, creating incredibly moist muffins with a warm spice flavor.

Why This Recipe Works

Applesauce provides moisture, natural sweetness, and binding power that replaces eggs and oil. This makes these muffins naturally lower in fat while being incredibly tender.

Ingredients

  • 1 box spice cake mix
  • 1.5 cups unsweetened applesauce
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • 2 tbsp sugar mixed with 1 tsp cinnamon for topping
  • 1/3 cup raisins (optional)
OvenBake

Test Kitchen Pick

Muffin Tin

Helpful Tool

Why a muffin tin helps here

This is one of those recipes where the pan shape directly affects how evenly everything bakes and how cleanly it releases.

The pan matters more here than another gadget would.

  • Helps the bake rise evenly
  • Makes cleanup and portioning simpler

A sturdy muffin tin pays off across breakfast bakes, cupcakes, and meal-prep egg bites.

Shop muffin tin options for this recipe

Instructions

  1. 1

    Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a muffin tin with paper liners.

  2. 2

    In a large bowl, stir together cake mix and applesauce until just combined. Fold in extra cinnamon, nutmeg, and raisins if using.

  3. 3

    Divide batter evenly among the 12 muffin cups.

  4. 4

    Sprinkle cinnamon sugar over the top of each muffin.

  5. 5

    Bake 18-20 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes in the pan.

Serving Suggestions

Ways to Serve This Dish

  • Serve alongside fresh fruit and your favorite morning beverage

  • Pair with crispy bacon or sausage links for a hearty start

  • Arrange on a platter for easy sharing at your next gathering

  • Pair with your favorite dipping sauce for extra flavor

Substitutions

Spice cake mixYellow cake mix with added cinnamon

Add your own spice blend for more control

ApplesaucePumpkin puree

Creates a pumpkin spice version that is equally easy and delicious

Tips & Storage

Pro Tips

  • Don't overmix—a few lumps are fine and overmixing makes the muffins tough.

  • Use unsweetened applesauce since the cake mix already contains plenty of sugar.

Storage

Store in an airtight container up to 5 days. Freeze up to 3 months.

Reheating

Warm in the microwave for 15 seconds.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving (0mg) · 12 servings

Calories140
LowModerateHigh

A light, low-calorie option · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet

Protein1g
Carbohydrates2g
Fat30g
Fiber240mg
Sugar0g
Sodium18g

Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different cake mix?
Yellow or white cake mix works too—add 2 tsp cinnamon and 1/2 tsp nutmeg for the spice flavor.
Are these really only two ingredients?
The base recipe is just cake mix and applesauce. Everything else is optional enhancement.

Explore More

More Main CourseMore BreakfastMore SnackVegetarian RecipesOven Recipes
Sarah Chen

About Sarah Chen

Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.

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