Gingerbread Muffins

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.

Combine 1/2 cup sugar, applesauce, molasses, vegetable oil, and egg in a medium bowl; beat with an electric mixer until combined.

Stir together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, cloves, ginger, and nutmeg in a separate bowl. Add flour mixture to applesauce mixture, stirring until combined. Add water; mix until well combined. Pour batter into the prepared muffin cups, filling each about 2/3 full. Sprinkle lightly with remaining sugar.

Bake in the preheated oven until tops spring back when lightly pressed, 20 to 25 minutes.