Applesauce Muffin

A preheated oven ensures even rising and a nice muffin dome.

Without a tin, paper liners can lose their shape and the batter may spread wider.

The airier the mixture, the lighter the muffins will be.

Use room-temperature applesauce so the butter doesn't separate.

This helps distribute the baking powder evenly so the muffins rise uniformly.

Don't overmix, otherwise the muffins will become dense instead of fluffy.

Fill the liners only about two-thirds full to prevent overflow.

Test doneness with a wooden skewer: if it comes out dry, they're done.

Cooling on a rack lets them cool all around and prevents the bottoms from staying soggy.