Bake up a batch of these festive gingerbread muffins and fill the air with ginger and spice and every thing nice!

Gingerbread Muffins

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 large egg

1/4 cup applesauce

3 tablespoons vegetable oil

1/4 cup molasses

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup boiling water

Turbinado (raw) sugar for sprinkling

1. Heat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 12-cup muffin tin or line with paper liners.
2. Combine flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves, ginger and nutmeg in a medium bowl; make a well in the center.
3. In another bowl, beat egg, applesauce, oil, molasses and sugar, mixing well. Pour mixture into well. Mix batter until just moistened; add water and mix until just blended.
4. Fill prepared muffin tins two-thirds full. Sprinkle lightly with sugar.
5. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until muffins test done. Cool in pan on wire rack.

Makes 1 dozen muffins.