Healthy Caramel Apple Muffins

These moist, delicious muffins will be the highlight of the lunch box! NOTE: This recipe has been tried and altered since the last review so some measurements and techniques the reviewer listed are no longer applicable =] The chopped caramels are optional but really add to the flavours!

• Ready In: 40 mins
• Serves: 12

Ingredients

• 2  tablespoons canola oil
• 2  tablespoons unsweetened applesauce
• 1⁄2 cup nonfat sour cream
• 5 1⁄2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 5 1⁄2 tablespoons  caramel topping
• 3  egg whites
• 1⁄2 cup all-purpose white flour
• 1⁄4 cup whole wheat flour
• 1⁄3 cup  oat bran
• 6  tablespoons flax seeds (ground)
• 2  teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1⁄4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 2  cups  finely chopped apples (bitter)
• 1⁄2 cup  chopped soft  caramel, rolled in flour to prevent sticking together

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. In a large mixing bowl, beat oil, apple sauce, sour cream, sugar, and caramel topping until well blended. Mix in egg whites (can be subbed for 1 egg+one white) until the mixture thickens slightly.
3. Mix flours, oat bran, flax seed, cinnamon, baking soda, nutmeg, and salt in a small bowl.
4. Add dry mixture to wet and stir just until blended. Gently fold in apples and optional chopped caramels into batter.
5. Evenly distribute the batter into muffin cups that have been coated well with cooking spray. Sprinkle tops with additional brown sugar.
6. Bake for about 13-17 minutes, or until golden and a toothpick comes out clean.