Apple Cinnamon Muffins
Ingredients
Directions / Instructions
Why You'll Love These Apple Cinnamon Muffins
These Apple Cinnamon Muffins are soft, tender, and filled with juicy pieces of fresh apple and warm cinnamon flavor. A simple cinnamon sugar topping adds a lightly crisp, sweet finish that makes every bite extra delicious.
They're easy to prepare with everyday baking ingredients and are perfect for breakfast, brunch, lunchboxes, afternoon snacks, or cozy fall mornings. Serve them warm with butter and a cup of coffee or tea for an especially comforting treat.
Ingredients
For the Muffins
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
- 1 1/2 cups peeled and diced apples
For the Cinnamon Topping
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
1. Prepare the Oven
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners or lightly grease the cups.
2. Prepare the Apples
Peel, core, and dice the apples into small pieces. Apples such as Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Gala, or Fuji work well in these muffins.
3. Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
4. Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a separate large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and buttermilk until smooth.
5. Combine the Batter
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir gently until just combined. Do not overmix the batter.
6. Fold in the Apples
Gently fold the diced apples into the batter until evenly distributed.
7. Fill the Muffin Pan
Divide the batter evenly among the 12 muffin cups, filling each about three-quarters full.
8. Add the Cinnamon Sugar
Mix the granulated sugar and cinnamon together in a small bowl. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the tops of the muffins.
9. Bake
Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until the tops are golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
10. Cool and Serve
Allow the muffins to cool in the pan for about 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Expert Tips
Choose firm apples that hold their shape during baking. Dice the apples into small, evenly sized pieces so they're distributed throughout the muffins. Avoid overmixing the batter because this can make the muffins dense. For taller muffin tops, let the batter rest for 5 to 10 minutes before baking and fill the muffin cups generously.
Storage
Store Apple Cinnamon Muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Refrigerate them for up to 5 days if your kitchen is warm. Reheat individual muffins in the microwave for a few seconds before serving. Muffins can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these muffins warm with butter, cream cheese, apple butter, honey, or maple syrup. Pair them with coffee, chai tea, hot chocolate, or apple cider for a cozy breakfast or afternoon snack.
Recipe Variations
Add chopped walnuts or pecans for crunch, fold in raisins or dried cranberries for extra sweetness, add a crumb streusel topping, or drizzle the cooled muffins with a simple vanilla glaze. You can also add a little orange zest for a bright flavor variation.
Frequently Asked Questions
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