Apple Cinnamon Muffins

There's something undeniably comforting about the aroma of freshly baked muffins wafting through your home. Homemade muffins not only fill your kitchen with delightful scents, but they also provide a warm, inviting treat suitable for breakfast, brunch, or a midday snack. Among the myriad of flavors, few combinations evoke the essence of home and warmth quite like apple and cinnamon. This cozy duo is synonymous with fall, evoking memories of harvest festivals, family gatherings, and the simple pleasure of enjoying a baked good with loved ones.

Bring the warmth of home into your kitchen with this Cozy Apple Cinnamon Muffins recipe! Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet snack, these muffins are filled with fresh apples and aromatic cinnamon for a delightful treat. Learn about each ingredient's role, from the structure provided by all-purpose flour to the sweetness from sugar. Follow our step-by-step guide to create fluffy muffins that are sure to become a family favorite. Enjoy the deliciousness and the comforting scents of freshly baked goodies!

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Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup granulated sugar

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon salt

½ cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled

1 large egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup buttermilk (or 1 cup milk + 1 tablespoon lemon juice)

2 medium apples, peeled and diced (preferably Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)

½ cup walnuts or pecans, chopped (optional)

2 tablespoons brown sugar (for topping)

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for topping)

Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease it with cooking spray.

Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and salt until well combined.

Combine Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, mix the melted butter, egg, vanilla extract, and buttermilk until smooth.

Combine Mixtures: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Do not overmix; a few lumps are okay.

Fold in Apples and Nuts: Carefully fold in the diced apples and chopped nuts (if using) until evenly distributed throughout the batter.

Fill Muffin Cups: Using a spoon or ice cream scoop, fill each muffin cup about ¾ full with the batter.

Prepare Topping: In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar and ground cinnamon. Sprinkle this topping evenly over each muffin.

Bake: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.

Cool: Once baked, remove the muffins from the oven and let them cool in the tin for about 5 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Serve: Enjoy these warm or at room temperature. They are perfect for breakfast or as a snack throughout the day!

Prep Time, Total Time, Servings:

15 minutes | 35 minutes | 12 muffins