North Carolina Applesauce Muffins

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar -  (or a cup for cup artificial sweetener)
1 egg
1 cup applesauce (unsweetened works)
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp allspice
1/4 tsp cloves
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
2 cups all-purpose flour

Preheat oven to 350°.
If not using cupcake papers, grease muffin tins.
Cream together butter and sugar; add egg.
Stir in applesauce and spices.
Sift together salt, soda, and flour.
Add dry ingredients to applesauce mixture and beat well.
Fill muffin tins 2/3 full and bake approximately 20-25 minutes 

    until muffins are set and slightly golden on top.
Batter keeps well in refrigerator for several days for baking small batches; 

    allow batter to sit at room temp for about 30 minutes before baking. 

Baked muffins freeze well.
Yield: 12 - 15 muffins

Artificially sweetened muffins contain about 150 calories each