Sunni's Slightly Healthy Apple Nut Muffins

1 1/2 c light brown sugar, packed
1/3 c vegetable oil
1/3 c apple or pear sauce
1 large egg, room temp
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 c whole wheat flour
2 c white flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 c buttermilk or milk or almond milk
1 1/2 cups peeled and diced apples
1 cup pecan pieces

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a muffin tin with paper muggin cups. Set aside.
Using a mixuter on med, combine brown sugar, oil, egg, and vanilla and beat until the mixutre thickens. In a small bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt.  Add the dry ingredients to the liquid mixture alternately with milk.  Mix gently using a rubber spatula to scrape downthe sides of the bowl. DO NOT OVERMIX!  Stir in apples and pecan pieces.

Pour the batter to the top of the muffin cups.  Sprinkle lightly with the topping below.
Topping
1/3 c granulated sugar or fructose
1 tsp butter, melted and cooled

In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the butter.  In a small bowl, combine the sugar and melt butter.  Sprinkle the misture over the tops of the muffins and bake on center rack in oven for 25-30 minutes.
Yields 12-14 muffins.