Spiced Applesauce Quinoa Muffins

• 96 grams (1/2 cup / 118 ml) canola, sunflower or similar neutral oil
• 96 grams (1/2 cup / 118 ml) dark brown sugar (packed)
• 2 large eggs
• 13 grams (2 tablespoons / 30 ml) ground flaxseed
• 60 grams (1/2 cup / 118 ml) cooked red quinoa
• 1 teaspoon / 5 ml vanilla
• 366 grams (1 1/2 cups / 354 ml) unsweetened chunky applesauce (or add 1 tart apple, pared, cored and finely diced, to 1 cup regular unsweetened applesauce)
• 125 grams (1 cup / 237 ml) all-purpose flour
• 92 grams (3/4 cup / 177 ml) whole wheat flour
• 15 grams (2 tablespoons / 30 ml) toasted wheat germ
• 1 teaspoon / 5 ml baking soda
• A good pinch of salt
• 1 teaspoon / 5 ml cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon / 2.5 ml freshly ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon / small pinch ground cloves (or ground cardamom, if you prefer)
• 50 grams (1/2 cup / 118 ml) pecan or walnut pieces, coarsely chopped
• 80 grams (1/2 cup / 118 ml) dried cranberries, raisins, or finely chopped dried apricots
• 2 teaspoons / 10 ml raw sugar
• A few good dashes of cinnamon for the topping

1. Heat oven to 400u0b0 F. Lightly grease a regular muffin tin (or a standard loaf pan or three mini-loaf pans, if you prefer).
2. Beat the oil and brown sugar together; then add the eggs, the flaxseed, and the vanilla and beat well until the batter is glossy and smooth.
3. Add the applesauce and the quinoa. Stir to combine thoroughly.
4. Stir together the flours, wheat germ, soda, salt and spices, to combine well.
5. Add the dry ingredients, the nuts, and the dried fruit to the wet ingredients. Swiftly stir with a large spoon, taking care not to overbeat.
6. Pour the batter in the prepared muffin tin or loaf pan(s).
7. Combine the raw sugar and a few good dashes of cinnamon to make the topping. Sprinkle it on the muffins or loaf (or loaves).
8. Bake for 25 minutes if making muffins; if making the standard loaf, bake for about 50 to 55 minutes, and the mini-loaves for 30 minutes. In each instance, test by gently pressing your index finger in the middle of the loaf or a muffin. If it quickly springs back, remove from the oven. If you create a little depression, continue to bake for another 5 minutes in the case of a standard loaf, or 2 minutes for either the mini-loaves or muffins. Check and repeat again if necessary.
9. Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least ten minutes before removing.
10. I hope you like these.

canola, brown sugar, eggs, ground flaxseed, quinoa, vanilla, flour, whole wheat flour, toasted wheat germ, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground cloves, pecan, cranberries, sugar, cinnamon

Taken from food52.com/recipes/23667-spiced-applesauce-quinoa-muffins (may not work)