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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.

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.