Applesauce Spice Muffins

I love the smell of these as they bake.

Batter:
1/2 cup butter
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 cup milk chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped almonds, pecans or walnuts
1 cup unsweetened applesauce

Topping:
2 tbsp granulated sugar
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp freshly grated nutmeg

Grease or line 12 large muffin cups and set aside.

In a large bowl cream together butter and brown sugar.  Beat in egg.

Sift together flour, baking powder, soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg.  Combine with chocolate chips and nuts.  Stir these dry ingredients in three parts alternately with the applesauce in two parts into the batter.  Mix only until blended.

Transfer to muffin cups, filling them almost full.  Combine topping ingredients and spoon equally over muffins.  Bake at 375 Degrees for 20 minutes or until well risen and firm to the touch.  Cool on a rack and serve for breakfast or snacks.