Gingerbread Secret Muffins Recipe

Serves: Makes 12 muffins

Hands On Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients

3/4 cup regular molasses (not blackstrap)

2 large eggs, such as Horizon Organic

5 tablespoons salted butter, such as Horizon Organic, melted and cooled

1/2 cup applesauce

1 tablespoon ground ginger

1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 cup low-fat milk, such as Horizon Organic

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup whole-wheat flour

1 (8-ounce) container cream cheese, at room temperature

3 tablespoons maple syrup

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Turbinado sugar, for sprinkling

Instructions

Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Spray or line a 12-cup muffin pan with muffin cups.

In a large bowl, whisk together the molasses, eggs, melted butter, applesauce, salt, spices, baking soda, baking powder and milk. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl. Sift in the flours and mix until just combined.

To make filling, beat together the cream cheese, maple syrup and vanilla in a small bowl. Fill cups 1/4 of the way with gingerbread batter. Drop a tablespoon of filling into each cup and cover with gingerbread batter until muffin cups are full. Sprinkle with turbinado sugar.

Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, until tops spring back. Transfer to a rack to cool. When cool, store tightly covered in refrigerator up to one week. Bring back to room temperature to serve.

About the recipe

Perfect for the holidays, these richly spiced muffins hide a delicious creamy center. This recipe comes courtesy of Horizon Organic.