Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. This step is crucial for ensuring that the muffins rise nicely and bake evenly. While the oven is heating, grease or line your muffin tray with liners to prevent sticking.
In a large mixing bowl, stir together the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, dark brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Mix these ingredients until well-combined. The aroma of cinnamon will start to fill the air, making your kitchen smell delightful!
In a separate bowl, whisk together the applesauce, almond milk, olive oil, and maple syrup. This blend will create a wet mixture that is both creamy and smooth. Make sure everything is well combined before moving on.
Now, pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture. With a spatula, gently fold the ingredients together until just combined. Be careful not to over-mix; a few lumps are okay. The batter should be thick and a little chunky, with visible parts of the dry ingredients.
Fill the muffin cups about 2/3 of the way full with the batter. You can use a scoop or a spoon for this step, ensuring that each muffin has an even amount of batter. At this stage, you can sprinkle some cinnamon sugar over the top for that extra sweetness!
Place the muffin tray in the preheated oven and bake for 18 to 20 minutes. As they bake, you’ll notice them puffing up and turning a lovely golden color. When they're ready, a toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean or with just a few crumbs.
Once baked, let the muffins cool in the pan for at least 20 minutes. This step allows them to set properly, making them easier to handle. After that, carefully transfer the muffins to a cooling rack to cool completely. This is where the magic happens as they continue to firm up and develop their flavors.
While the muffins are cooling, prepare the glaze by mixing the confectioners' sugar and almond milk in a small bowl until smooth. This glaze will add the perfect finishing touch to your muffins. If it's too thick, add a little more almond milk until you reach the desired consistency.
Once the muffins have cooled, drizzle the glaze over the top of each muffin. The glaze should settle into the nooks and crannies, giving them a beautiful shine. Allow the glaze to set for a few minutes before serving.
