Apple Cinnamon Muffins

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Cinnamon apple muffins are the perfect treat for a cozy morning or afternoon snack. Packed with the warm flavors of cinnamon and chunks of sweet apples, they’re a breeze to make and will fill your home with a delightful aroma.

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Every fall during apple season there is a huge surge of people making my apple recipes like Apple Bread, Apple Crumble Pie, Pumpkin Apple Butter, and Apple Crisp.

Over the years I’ve been asked time and again to adapt my apple bread into muffins, and here they are at last! I guarantee you that you will love these delicious, crumbly cinnamon apple muffins. They are a great way to enjoy fresh apples after a trip apple picking in the autumn.

WHY I LOVE THIS RECIPE

each fluffy muffin has perfect amount of apple pieces and the warm cinnamon sugar swirl takes them over the top.
these easy apple muffins use only a few simple ingredients you probably already have on hand.
like my apple bread that has over 200 reviews, this is a 5-star recipe
like my favorite pumpkin muffins, they are grab-and-go for the perfect fall breakfast on the run.
you only need one apple for the entire batch!

INGREDIENTS

light brown sugar
ground cinnamon
white sugar
butter
eggs
vanilla extract
all-purpose flour
baking powder
milk
large apple

eggs and vanilla in batter before mixing

Step by step

Mix the cinnamon sugar and chop your apples. Set aside.
Cream together sugar and butter in a stand mixer (affiliate link) or with a hand mixer in a large mixing bowl.
Add eggs and vanilla.
Mix flour and baking powder in a separate bowl. Add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until combined. Add milk and mix.
Line a muffin tin with muffin liners and fill each liner halfway with muffin batter.
Top with apples and a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar mixture.
Pour in remaining batter and top with remaining apples and cinnamon sugar.
Pat the apple crumb topping into the top of the bread with the back of a spoon and bake for 30 minutes.
Let cool ten minutes before removing from the pan.

cinnamon apple muffins in tin before baking

FAQs

What are the best apples for baking?

Choose firm kinds of apple varieties such as Granny Smith apples, Pink Lady, Gala, or Fuji. Softer types of apples won’t stand up to the baking.

Can I make these with applesauce?

Applesauce can be a substitute in most recipes that have vegetable oil, however, I do not recommend them in this recipe. The butter adds a lot to the flavor and shouldn’t be substituted.

Can I swirl in the cinnamon sugar and apples?

Yes! Many people like to use a butterknife to swirl the batter and apple cinnamon mixture together before baking. They taste amazing with or without the swirling step so experiment with what you prefer!

Do I have to use muffin liners?

Yes, do not skip the muffin liners. These are soft and crumbly in texture and won’t hold together well without the muffin cups or paper liners. These reusable liners are great.

Can I freeze these muffins?

Yes, these muffins freeze well. Simply allow the muffins to cool completely then wrap them individually with plastic wrap and store them in a freezer bag. When you are ready to eat the muffins, allow to thaw at room temperature before serving.

How do I store these apple muffins?

Keep leftover muffins in an airtight container at room temperature up to 3-4 days (if they last that long! If you need to keep them longer I recommend freezing them.

I hope you love these yummy apple cinnamon muffins as much as we do, next you might want to try our bakery-style blueberry muffins with streusel topping.

If you try them, please comment and rate them below, I love hearing from you!