Cranberry Applesauce Muffins with Orange Butter

If you are looking for a great breakfast muffin for Thanksgiving breakfast or anytime, you need to try these.

2 cups self-rising flour
1 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup canola oil
1 egg, beaten
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 cup dried cranberries
3/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
2 Tablespoon sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Place 12 muffin cups in muffin tin.  In a large bowl, mix with a spoon the applesauce, 1/2 cup sugar, oil, egg, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well blended. Slowly add flour 1/2 cup at a time, mixing well until blended.  Add nuts and cranberries and mix well.  Spoon into muffin cups.  Sprinkle tops of muffins with the 2 tablespoons of sugar.  Bake for 18-20 minutes until light golden brown.  Serve warm from the oven with orange butter.  Recipe below.

Orange Butter

6 Tablespoons softened butter (not margarine)
2 Tablespoons confectioner's sugar
1 Tablespoon of fresh orange juice
2 tsp. of fresh orange zest
dash of cinnamon

Combine ingredients in bowl and mix with mixer for 2-3 minutes until whipped and lightly fluffy.