Applesauce Cupcakes - Recipe

for the cupcakes:
1/2 cup margarine, softened
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg, lightly beaten
3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
2 cups self-rising flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. ground ginger
1/4 tsp. ground cloves

1. Preheat the oven to 350F. In a medium bowl, beat the margarine and sugar with an electric mixer until pale and creamy. Slowly add the egg and then the applesauce, beating well after each addition. Add the flour, baking powder and spices, mixing until just combined.

For the topping:
2 tbsp. margarine, softened
1/4 cup icing sugar, sifted
3 tbsp. walnuts, chopped
2 tbsp. rolled-oats
2 tbsp. all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. cinnamon

2. Combine all topping ingredients in a small bowl. Mix with a fork or pastry blender until topping resembles coarse bread crumbs. Spoon about 1/4 cup of batter into each well of a muffin tin lined with baking cups. Sprinkle some topping onto each cupcake. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Remove pan from the oven and cool for 5 minutes. Remove cupcakes from the pan and cool on a wire rack for an additional 25 minutes.

Makes approximately 12 cupcakes