Apple Cinnamon Muffins Recipe That’s Soft and Sweet

Warm apple cinnamon muffins craft ordinary mornings into extraordinary culinary experiences.

Fragrant spices dance through kitchen spaces, promising comfort and delight.

Soft, tender crumbs packed with sweet fruit offer a nostalgic embrace familiar to many home bakers.

Rustic ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a harmonious symphony of flavors that tantalize taste buds.

Baking these muffins requires minimal effort but delivers maximum satisfaction for anyone craving a wholesome treat.

The delicate balance between juicy apples and rich cinnamon creates a sensory journey that feels both classic and innovative.

Sweet aromas will drift through your home, signaling the arrival of something truly special.

Why Apple Cinnamon Muffins Hit the Sweet Spot

• Burst with Seasonal Comfort: These apple cinnamon muffins wrap you in warm, cozy flavors that perfectly capture the essence of autumn, delivering a delightful blend of sweet apples and spicy cinnamon in every single bite.
• Quick and Foolproof Baking: The straightforward recipe requires minimal ingredients and simple mixing techniques, making it ideal for bakers of all skill levels – from novice home cooks to experienced pastry enthusiasts.
• Versatile Breakfast and Snack Champion: These muffins shine as a quick morning breakfast, afternoon snack, or delightful dessert companion, offering incredible flexibility for any mealtime or gathering while remaining incredibly satisfying and delicious.
• Healthier Homemade Treat: By incorporating applesauce and using a mix of flours, these muffins provide a slightly more nutritious alternative to traditional muffin recipes, ensuring you can indulge without excessive guilt.

What Goes into These Cozy, Spiced Muffins

• All-Purpose Flour, Whole Wheat Flour: Foundational dry ingredients that provide structure and texture to the muffins, with whole wheat flour adding a nutty depth.

• Baking Soda, Baking Powder: Essential rising agents that help muffins become light and fluffy.
• Salt, Cinnamon, Nutmeg: Flavor enhancers that balance sweetness and add warm, aromatic notes.

• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with browning and moisture retention.
• Vegetable Oil: Ensures moist and tender muffins with a soft crumb.
• Milk: Adds moisture and helps bind ingredients together.
• Vanilla Extract: Introduces a rich, deep flavor profile.
• Eggs: Contribute to structure, richness, and help bind ingredients.
• Applesauce: Adds natural sweetness and keeps muffins moist.

• Apples: Fresh, crisp fruit that adds texture, natural sweetness, and bursts of flavor.

• Cinnamon Sugar: Creates a sweet, crackly top with warm spice notes.

How to Bake Moist Muffins with a Crunchy Top

Step 1: Prepare Oven and Baking Pan

Warm up your oven to 425°F. Grab a 12-count muffin pan and coat it with non-stick spray or line with paper liners. This recipe will give you 10-11 tasty muffins.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Whole wheat flour
• Baking soda
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Cinnamon
• Nutmeg

Set this mixture aside for later.

Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients

• Granulated sugar
• Vegetable oil
• Milk
• Vanilla extract
• Eggs
• Applesauce

Mix until everything is smooth and well combined.

Step 4: Create Muffin Batter

Gently fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients. Stir until just combined – don’t overmix! Carefully fold in diced fresh apples.

Step 5: Fill Muffin Pan

Scoop the batter into prepared muffin wells, filling them to the top. Sprinkle a generous layer of cinnamon sugar over each muffin, adding extra to the centers.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Start baking at 425°F for 5 minutes. Without opening the oven, reduce temperature to 375°F and continue baking 8-10 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick – it should come out clean.

Step 7: Cool and Serve

Let muffins rest in the pan for 5 minutes. Run a knife around the edges and transfer to a cooling rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Step 8: Store Leftovers

Once completely cooled, store muffins in an airtight container at room temperature. Enjoy within 2-3 days for maximum freshness.

Pro Tip: These muffins are perfect for breakfast, snacking, or sharing with friends!

Tips for Preventing Soggy Bottoms

• Dice Apples Strategically: Cut apples into small, uniform pieces to ensure even distribution and prevent large apple chunks from sinking to the bottom of the muffins.
• Control Moisture Perfectly: Use unsweetened applesauce to add moisture without making the muffins too wet, creating a tender and soft texture.
• Master the High-Low Baking Technique: Start at high temperature for a quick rise, then lower the heat to prevent burning while ensuring a perfectly golden, dome-shaped muffin top.
• Mix Minimally for Tender Results: Stir dry and wet ingredients just until combined to avoid overmixing, which can lead to tough, dense muffins.
• Customize Cinnamon Sugar Topping: Sprinkle extra cinnamon sugar in the center of each muffin for a delightful, caramelized sweet spot that adds extra flavor and crunch.

How to Store and Reheat Apple Muffins Like a Pro

• Room Temperature Storage: Keep muffins in an airtight container lined with paper towel to absorb moisture. Enjoy within 2-3 days for best taste and texture.
• Refrigeration Method: Seal muffins in a sealed container and refrigerate up to 5 days. Wrap each muffin individually in plastic wrap to prevent drying out.
• Reheating Technique: Warm refrigerated muffins in microwave for 15-20 seconds or in oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes. Restore soft, fresh-baked texture by adding a small pat of butter before reheating.

Enjoy These Muffins with Fall-Inspired Sips

• Brew Perfectly Paired Coffee: Rich, medium-roast Colombian coffee complements the warm cinnamon and apple flavors, enhancing the muffins' sweet and spicy profile with its smooth, balanced taste.
• Serve with Creamy Accompaniment: Whipped mascarpone cheese or vanilla bean cream spread adds a luxurious, velvety texture that beautifully contrasts the muffins' tender crumb and fruity notes.
• Match with Seasonal Beverage: Warm apple cider or spiced chai tea echoes the muffins' autumnal essence, creating a cozy and comforting flavor experience that celebrates the recipe's key ingredients.

Mix-ins to Shake Up Your Muffin Routine

• Nutty Apple Crunch: Add chopped walnuts or pecans to the batter for extra texture and a rich, earthy flavor. Sprinkle additional nuts on top before baking for a delightful crunch.
• Caramel Apple Swirl: Drizzle homemade caramel sauce between layers of muffin batter before baking. Create a beautiful marbled effect by gently swirling the caramel with a toothpick.
• Streusel-Topped Apple: Prepare a classic streusel topping with flour, brown sugar, and cold butter. Sprinkle generously over the muffin batter before baking for a crispy, sweet crust.
• Maple Glazed Apple: Whip up a quick maple glaze using powdered sugar and pure maple syrup. Drizzle over cooled muffins for an extra layer of sweet, autumnal flavor.

Apple Cinnamon Muffins Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

Print Recipe

Description

Homemade Apple Cinnamon Muffins bring warmth from grandma’s kitchen to your breakfast table. Fragrant spices and tender apple chunks create a comforting morning treat you’ll savor with pure delight.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 2 large eggs
• ⅔ cup (125g) unsweetened applesauce
• ½ cup (125g) petite diced apple (Fuji or Gala)

Dry Ingredients:

• ¾ cup (90g) whole wheat pastry flour
• ¾ cup (98g) unbleached all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (100g) white granulated sugar
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• ¾ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground allspice

Wet Ingredients:

• ⅓ cup (79 milliliters) olive oil
• ⅓ cup (79 milliliters) almond milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Topping (Optional):

• 3 tablespoons white granulated sugar
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 425°F (218°C) and prepare a 12-count muffin pan by coating with non-stick spray or lining with paper muffin cups.
2. Combine whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg in a medium mixing bowl, whisking thoroughly to ensure even distribution of dry ingredients.
3. In a separate large mixing bowl, blend granulated sugar, vegetable oil, whole milk, pure vanilla extract, large eggs, and unsweetened applesauce using an electric hand mixer until smooth and well incorporated.
4. Gradually fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined without overmixing the batter.
5. Carefully incorporate finely diced fresh apples into the muffin batter, distributing them evenly with minimal stirring.
6. Distribute the muffin batter evenly among the prepared muffin wells, filling each to the top for maximum volume.
7. Sprinkle a generous layer of cinnamon sugar mixture over each muffin, concentrating extra topping in the center of each.
8. Place the muffin pan in the preheated oven and bake at 425°F (218°C) for 5 minutes, then immediately reduce the temperature to 375°F (190°C) without opening the oven door.
9. Continue baking for 8-10 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of a muffin – it should come out clean with no wet batter.
10. Remove muffins from the oven and let them rest in the pan for 5 minutes to set their structure.
11. Carefully loosen the muffins by running a butter knife around their edges, then transfer to a wire cooling rack.
12. Serve warm for optimal flavor and texture, or allow to cool completely before storing in an airtight container at room temperature.

Notes

• High-temperature baking trick creates perfectly domed, bakery-style muffin tops with a crispy exterior and soft, tender center.
• Initial 425°F blast followed by lowered temperature ensures even rising and prevents burning while maintaining moisture.
• Dicing apples small helps distribute fruit evenly throughout the batter, guaranteeing delicious apple bits in every bite.
• Filling muffin wells to the top creates classic, rounded muffin shapes with attractive cinnamon sugar-sprinkled crowns.
• Extra cinnamon sugar sprinkled in muffin centers generates delightful caramelized pockets of sweet, spicy flavor.
• Room temperature storage works best for these muffins, keeping them fresh for 2-3 days when sealed in an airtight container.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 147 kcal
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 105 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 31 mg