Apple Fritter Muffins

Step 1: Prepare the apples. Melt butter in a large saute pan. Add apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and water. Cook 7-10 minutes over medium heat until apples are tender. The sauce should be rather thick and caramely. Stir in the flour and set aside. (this prevents the apples from sinking to the bottom of the muffins)

Step 2: In a large bowl beat the oil, applesauce, sugar, eggs, and vanilla until very well mixed. In a small bowl, combine flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Alternately, add 1/3 of the flour mixture, then 1/2 of the buttermilk to the eggs/sugar mixture. Repeat, adding 1/3 of the flour, the other 1/2 of the buttermilk, and finish with the last 1/3 of the flour mixture till just combined. Fold in apples.

Step 3: Line 14-16 muffin cups with paper muffin liners. Scoop filling into the muffin cups, filling all the way to the top. You should be able to fill 14-16 muffin cups.

Step 4: Bake muffins at 350 degrees for 17-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow muffins to cool in the muffin pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire cooling rack for another 10 minutes.

Step 5: While the muffins are cooling, make the glaze. In a medium bowl, melt butter in the microwave. Whisk in powdered sugar, hot water, and vanilla. When the muffins are cool enough to handle dip the tops in the glaze. Allow glaze to harden before serving.