Hmmm, I had thought about the shortening issue, but I thought that
substituting liquid vegetable oil would really foul up the mix. I'd
have to do a major adjustment on the liquids, and if it didn't work
out, that's a lot of muffins to have to throw away! Perhaps I could
substitute the applesauce or bananas for half the shortening, see if
that would work as a good compromise.

Is butter really any more heart-smart than hydrogenated oils such as
shortening?

Thanks!

KD