Sometimes I have ideas for recipes at random times. Like when I’m in the shower or when I’m going for a run. The recipe ideas that happen while I’m running tend to be healthier and lighter. Because thinking about fried chicken while I’m running would just be weird. But thinking about a lightened up version of my Dad’s favorite coffee cake while breaking a sweat is tooootally normal. My dad used to buy this delicious Entenmann’s coffee cake that had sweet strawberry cheesecake filling. It was very, very good, but probably about a bajillion calories. And I don’t know about you, but starting my morning with a fatty calorie laden piece of cake won’t really make me feel like I’m getting off on the right foot. So to the recipe drawing board I went. I decided to replace eggs and butter with apple sauce and canola oil to lighten a traditional muffin recipe up while still maintaining a moist texture. To capture the strawberry flavor without tons of extra sugar, I used Smuckers “Simply” brand jam, which doesn’t have any added sugar and instead only contains the natural sugar from the fruit. And instead of making a decadent cheesecake filling, I made a cream cheese glaze that adds the sweetness and creaminess without all the fat. The jam swirl makes for a gooey, heavy center so don’t be alarmed if the muffins turn out a little topsy turvy. So if you are on a health kick…or a strawberry cheesecake kick, please do whip up these muffins. Enjoy!

Ingredients: 10 muffins

• 1 cup flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon apple pie spice
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup apple sauce
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 1/4 cup almond milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 10 teaspoons strawberry jam

• 1/2 cup flour
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon apple pie spice

1. In a large bowl, sift flour, baking powder & apple pie spice together and form a well in the middle
2. In a separate bowl, whisk sugar, apple sauce, canola oil, almond milk & vanilla together
3. Pour wet ingredients into well in dry ingredients and stir together until just incorporated
4. Pour batter into 10 muffin liners
5. Drop a teaspoon of strawberry jam into each muffin and swirl in a circular motion to form a strawberry jam swirl
6. For the crumb topping, mix melted butter, additional flour, sugar & apple pie spice and sprinkle evenly over muffins
7. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes or until cooked through
8. For glaze, whisk all ingredients together and drizzle over cooled muffins