Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Gather all your ingredients so that you have everything close at hand on the counter or table. You may opt to use paper-lined muffin cups. If not, spray muffin pan with baking spray.
Prepare the Muffin Batter
In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, allspice, and ground cloves.
Add in the brown sugar and granulated sugar. Whisk to mix well. Using a spoon, make a well in the center of the mixture.
Add in the applesauce, melted butter, large egg and vanilla extract. Using a rubber spatula, mix to incorporate, but be careful not to overmix.
Fill muffin cups 3/4 full.
Bake in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until golden brown. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 5-7 minutes before placing muffins on a wire rack to cool completely.
Optional Cinnamon-Sugar Topping
If desired, you may top the muffins with a cinnamon-sugar topping. To make this, melt butter in a small bowl in the microwave, for 20-30 seconds.
In another small bowl, combine granulated sugar and ground cinnamon.
Dip muffin tops in butter and then the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Set on wire rack to cool. Makes 1 dozen.
Notes
*Unless otherwise indicated, all butter used on this recipe site is salted.