Step 1

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line 16 muffin cups with muffin liners.

Step 2

In a skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add apples, sugar, cinnamon, and water. Cook, stirring occasionally, until apples are tender, about 8-10 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly. Stir in flour to coat apples; set aside.

Step 3

In a medium bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; set aside.

Step 4

In a large bowl whisk together the applesauce, canola oil, vanilla extract and sugars until smooth. Whisk in eggs, one at a time, until combined. Add the flour mixture alternately with the buttermilk, starting and finishing with the flour mixture, and stirring gently just until the ingredients are just combined. Do not overmix! Fold in the apples until just combined.

Step 5

Divide batter equally among prepared muffin cups, smoothing the tops. Bake until muffin tops are a pale golden and springy to the touch, 14 to 16 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let the muffins cool in the muffin tin for 5 minutes before removing them to the rack. Let cool slightly while you make the glaze.

Step 6

To make the glaze, in a medium bowl mix together the melted butter, confectioners sugar, vanilla and water. Whisk until smooth.

Step 7

When muffins have cooled slightly, holding the muffin upside down, dip the top into the glaze, allowing excess to drip off. Allow to harden, then dip a second time and let harden again before serving.

Step 8

Enjoy!