Preheat oven to 400 F. Grease muffin pan or use paper cups in the pan.
Beat butter at medium speed with electric mixer until creamy,
approximately 5 minutes. Add sugar; beat well. Add eggs and vanilla;
beat well. Set butter mixture aside.
In a medium bowl, sift flour and next 3 ingredients together; stir in pecans.
Combine apple sauce and baking soda, stirring until mixture is foamy;
add to butter mixture alternately with flour mixture, beginning and
ending with flour mixture. Beat at low speed just until blended after
each addition.
Spoon batter into prepared muffin pans; filling cups two-thirds full.
Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until muffins are golden. Remove from pans immediately.
Makes 2 dozen muffins.