Description
These Apple Cinnamon Muffins are a deliciously easy-to-make treat perfect for breakfast or snack time. Moistened with diced fresh apples and flavored with warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, these muffins come out fluffy and flavorful every time. Optional chopped nuts and a sprinkle of coarse sugar add delightful texture and crunch.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
Add-ins
- 2 cups peeled and diced apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp recommended)
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- Coarse sugar, for sprinkling (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and prepare a 12-cup muffin tin by lining it with paper liners or greasing it well.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt to combine all the dry spices evenly.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a separate large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat the eggs into the creamed butter and sugar one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract to incorporate fully.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing at low speed just until combined to avoid overworking the batter.
- Toss Apples with Flour: In a medium bowl, lightly toss the peeled and diced apples with 1 to 2 tablespoons of the flour mixture. This helps prevent the apples from sinking to the bottom during baking.
- Fold in Apples and Nuts: Gently fold the apple pieces and optional chopped nuts into the batter, ensuring even distribution throughout.
- Fill Muffin Cups: Spoon batter into each muffin cup, filling each about two-thirds full. Optionally, sprinkle the tops with coarse sugar for added texture and sweetness.
- Bake Muffins: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
- Cool Muffins: Allow the muffins to cool in the tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, ensuring the perfect texture and flavor.
Notes
- Using tart apples like Granny Smith or sweet Honeycrisp adds the best flavor contrast in these muffins.
- Do not overmix the batter; mixing just until ingredients are combined ensures tender muffins.
- The coarse sugar topping is optional but adds a nice crunch and subtle sweetness to the muffins’ tops.
- Chopped walnuts or pecans can be omitted for a nut-free version.
- Ensure butter is softened (not melted) for easier creaming with sugar.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
