Oat Bran Applesauce Mini Muffins

vegetable-oil cooking spray
2 cups unsweetened applesauce
2 oz dates, pitted and chopped (½ cup)
1 cup wheat bran
½ cup buttermilk
1 large egg
2 Tbsp. honey
¾ tsp. fresh ginger, grated
½ tsp. vanilla extract
½ cup + 2 Tbsp. flour, unbleached
2 Tbsp. ground flaxseed
1¼ tsp. baking soda
¼ tsp. sea salt
¼ tsp. ground allspice
¼ cup + 1 Tbsp. old-fashioned oats

Preheat oven to 375°F. Coat 2 mini-muffin tins with cooking spray.

Place applesauce and dates in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until mixture is reduced to 1¼ cups, 15-20 minutes. Spread in an even layer on a rimmed baking sheet, and let cool completely.

Transfer to a large bowl, and stir in bran, buttermilk, egg, honey, ginger, and vanilla. Let stand for 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, whisk together flour, flaxseed, baking soda, salt, allspice, and ¼ cup oats. Stir into bran mixture.

Spoon batter into prepared tins, filling to the brims. Sprinkle remaining 1 Tbsp. oats over muffins.

Bake until a toothpick inserted into center of 1 comes out clean, 21-23 minutes. Let cool completely in pans on wire racks.

Makes 2 dozen.