Best Apple Cinnamon Muffins
Best Apple Cinnamon Muffins are the ultimate fall treat, combining the warmth of cinnamon with the sweet, tart flavor of fresh apples. These muffins are soft, moist, and bursting with flavor, making them perfect for breakfast, a snack, or dessert. Whether you’re celebrating the autumn season or just craving a comforting homemade muffin, these apple cinnamon muffins are sure to become a favorite in your baking rotation. The combination of tender muffin batter, cinnamon sugar topping, and juicy apple chunks makes every bite a delicious experience.
When you bake Best Apple Cinnamon Muffins, you can look forward to muffins that are incredibly moist with a tender crumb. The natural sweetness and juiciness of the apples infuse the muffins with a fresh, fruity flavor, while the cinnamon adds warmth and spice. The top of each muffin is beautifully golden-brown, and a light dusting of cinnamon sugar gives it a slight crunch. These muffins are the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and spiced, and they’ll leave your kitchen smelling like autumn. Whether enjoyed fresh out of the oven or as a snack later in the day, these apple cinnamon muffins are sure to be a hit.
Tools to Use
- Muffin tin
- Paper muffin liners (optional)
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Spoon or ice cream scoop for portioning the batter
- Spatula for mixing
- Knife for chopping apples
Ingredients
For the Muffins:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk (or substitute with regular milk and 1 tablespoon vinegar)
- 1 ½ cups peeled, diced apples (about 1 large apple)
For the Cinnamon Sugar Topping:
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Muffin Tin:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin tin with paper liners or lightly grease the cups with cooking spray.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.
- Cream the Butter and Sugar:
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the Wet Ingredients:
- Add the eggs and vanilla extract to the butter mixture. Beat until smooth and fully combined.
- Add the Dry Ingredients to the Wet Ingredients:
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Add the Buttermilk and Apples:
- Slowly add the buttermilk to the batter and stir until just incorporated. Gently fold in the diced apples.
- Fill the Muffin Tin:
- Spoon the batter into the muffin cups, filling each about 2/3 full. Use a spoon or ice cream scoop to make this process easier.
- Make the Cinnamon Sugar Topping:
- In a small bowl, mix together the cinnamon and sugar. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the tops of the muffins.
- Bake the Muffins:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. The tops should be golden brown.
- Cool the Muffins:
- Once baked, allow the muffins to cool in the tin for a few minutes. Then transfer the muffins to a wire rack to cool completely.
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Best Apple Cinnamon Muffins
Equipment
- Muffin tin
- Paper muffin liners (optional)
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Spoon or ice cream scoop for portioning the batter
- Spatula for mixing
- Knife for chopping apples
Ingredients
- For the Muffins:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg optional
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk or substitute with regular milk and 1 tablespoon vinegar
- 1 ½ cups peeled diced apples (about 1 large apple)
- For the Cinnamon Sugar Topping:
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Muffin Tin:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin tin with paper liners or lightly grease the cups with cooking spray.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.
- Cream the Butter and Sugar:
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the Wet Ingredients:
- Add the eggs and vanilla extract to the butter mixture. Beat until smooth and fully combined.
- Add the Dry Ingredients to the Wet Ingredients:
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Add the Buttermilk and Apples:
- Slowly add the buttermilk to the batter and stir until just incorporated. Gently fold in the diced apples.
- Fill the Muffin Tin:
- Spoon the batter into the muffin cups, filling each about 2/3 full. Use a spoon or ice cream scoop to make this process easier.
- Make the Cinnamon Sugar Topping:
- In a small bowl, mix together the cinnamon and sugar. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the tops of the muffins.
- Bake the Muffins:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. The tops should be golden brown.
- Cool the Muffins:
- Once baked, allow the muffins to cool in the tin for a few minutes. Then transfer the muffins to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips for Cooking
- Use Firm Apples: To keep the apples from becoming mushy during baking, use firm apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji. These varieties hold their shape well and add a nice texture to the muffins.
- Don’t Overmix: When combining the wet and dry ingredients, be careful not to overmix the batter, as this can lead to dense muffins. Stir just until the ingredients are combined.
- Enhance with Nuts or Raisins: For extra flavor and texture, you can add chopped walnuts, pecans, or raisins to the batter along with the apples.
- For Extra Moisture: If you want extra moist muffins, try adding a tablespoon of sour cream or Greek yogurt to the batter.
Why You Should Try This Recipe
These Best Apple Cinnamon Muffins are a delicious way to enjoy the comforting flavors of fall. The blend of cinnamon, apples, and the tender muffin texture makes these muffins irresistible. They’re perfect for breakfast, a snack with coffee, or as a treat to share with family and friends. Whether you’re an experienced baker or a beginner, this easy-to-follow recipe will deliver perfect muffins every time. These muffins are a simple yet impressive way to enjoy the flavors of autumn in a handheld, portable treat.
These Best Apple Cinnamon Muffins are a must-try for anyone who loves the combination of apples and cinnamon. With their light, fluffy texture and burst of flavor from the apples, they make the perfect snack or breakfast treat. Whether you’re baking them for a special occasion or just because, they’re sure to bring smiles to everyone who tastes them. Try this recipe today and enjoy a warm, comforting bite of autumn goodness!
