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Moist and tender muffins are filled with chunks of apples and topped with a dusting of cinnamon and sugar!
Apple cinnamon goodness
There’s something delicious about apples and cinnamon (just like in our Easy Apple Cake and Apple Crisp recipe)!
With that flavor combo in mind, we combined these 2 delicious flavors for the perfect easy muffin recipe – apple cinnamon muffins.
The kids have always loved our apple muffins, but now they also love this cinnamon-filled version.
Why we love them:
- Sweetness. For a less sweet muffin, skip the cinnamon sugar topping – but we think it makes them a little extra special!
- For every occasion. Muffins are convenient for breakfast, a snack, or even an after-school treat, making them versatile and satisfying any time of the day.
- Perfect flavor pairing. This muffin has a delicious buttery flavor, a hint of cinnamon, and bursts of sweet apples.
Ingredients
PREP TIME: 20 minutes
COOK TIME: 20 minutes
Apple Cinnamon Muffins
- ½cupunsalted butter
- ¾cupgranulated sugar
- ¼cupbrown sugar
- 2largeeggs
- 2teaspoonsvanilla extract
- 2cupsall-purpose flour
- 1teaspooncinnamon
- 1teaspoonbaking powder
- ½teaspoonbaking soda
- ¼teaspoonsalt
- ⅔cupsmilk
- 1largeapple, peeled & chopped,about 1½ cups chopped – we prefer Granny Smith, but Honeycrisp, Braeburn, Fuji, and Pink Lady will also work
- ½teaspooncinnamon
Cinnamon Sugar Topping
- 3tablespoonsgranulated sugar
- ½teaspooncinnamon
Room Temperature Ingredients
When making muffins all the ingredients must be at room temperature to ensure that everything mixes evenly without having to over-mix the batter. Over-mixing causes the muffins to get tough.
How to Make Apple Cinnamon Muffins
- PREP. Preheat the oven to 375°F and line a muffin pan with papers.
- BATTER. In a large bowl beat ½cup butter, ¾cup white sugar & ¼cup brown sugar until fluffy.Mix in 2 eggs 1 at a time, then 2teaspoons vanilla.
- In a separate bowl whisk 2cups flour, 1teaspoon cinnamon, 1teaspoon baking powder, ½teaspoon baking soda, and ¼teaspoon salt.
- With the mixer on low speed beat about ⅓ of the flour mixture into the butter mixture, alternating with about ⅓ of the ⅔cups milk. Repeat the process until everything is combined.
- APPLES. In a separate bowl toss 1 large chopped apple with ½ teaspoon cinnamon.
- Gently fold the chopped apple into the muffin batter using a large rubber spatula or wooden spoon.
- Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin pan – you’ll get about 12 muffins total.
- TOPPING. In a small bowl stir 3tablespoons sugar and ½teaspoon cinnamon for the cinnamon sugar topping together. Then sprinkle it on top of each muffin.
- BAKE. Bake in the preheated oven for 17-20 minutes, or until the tops are golden and an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
Add a Crumb Topping
Use the ingredients listed below. In a separate bowl whisk the sugar, flour, and cinnamon until combined. Stir in the nuts. Drizzle melted butter over the mix and stir with a spoon until your mixture is like lumpy wet sand, be sure to leave clumps. Then, sprinkle the streusel topping over each muffin before baking.
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup flour
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- ¼ cup unsalted butter melted
- ½ cup walnuts or pecans (optional)
Complete the Meal
- Serve with: Yogurt Parfait, Bacon and Cheese Quiche, Hash Brown Egg Cups
- Drinks: Strawberry Banana Smoothie, Orange Julius Recipe, Peach Smoothie, Kale Smoothie
- More muffin recipes: Homemade Blueberry Muffins, Mini Applesauce Muffins, Strawberry Muffins
More collections: Muffin Recipes, Brunch Ideas, Easy Breakfast Ideas
4.96 from 21 votes
Apple Cinnamon Muffins
By: Lil’ Luna
Apple cinnamon muffins are moist and tender with chunks of apples and a deliciously sweet cinnamon sugar topping!
Servings: 12 muffins
Prep: 20 minutes mins
Cook: 20 minutes mins
Total: 40 minutes mins
Equipment
Ingredients
Apple Cinnamon Muffins
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ¾ cup sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅔ cups milk
- 1 large apple, peeled & chopped, about 1½ cups chopped
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
Cinnamon Sugar Topping
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 375°F and line a muffin pan with papers.
In a large bowl beat the butter, white sugar & brown sugar until fluffy.
Mix in the eggs 1 at a time, then the vanilla.
In a separate bowl whisk together the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda & salt.
With the mixer on low speed beat about ⅓ of the flour mixture into the butter mixture, alternating with about ⅓ of the milk. Repeat the process until everything is combined.
In a separate bowl toss the chopped apple with ½ teaspoon cinnamon.
Gently fold the chopped apple into the muffin batter using a large rubber spatula or wooden spoon.
Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin pan – you'll get about 12 muffins total.
Topping
In a small bowl stir the sugar and cinnamon for the cinnamon sugar topping together. Then sprinkle it on top of each muffin.
Bake in the preheated oven for 17-20 minutes, or until the tops are golden and an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
Video
Notes
*Muffins are best if eaten the same day they’re made.
STORE. Store cooled muffins in an airtight container on the counter for about 4 days or in the fridge for up to 1 week.
FREEZE. Let them cool completely and place them in a freezer Ziploc. Use a straw to suck out as much air as possible before sealing and freezing for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
Calories: 245kcal, Carbohydrates: 37g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 9g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Cholesterol: 56mg, Sodium: 116mg, Potassium: 92mg, Sugar: 20g, Vitamin A: 310IU, Calcium: 46mg, Iron: 1.2mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
Are apple cinnamon muffins healthy?
- Looking at the nutritional values, these muffins would not fall under the healthy category. However, they are homemade without the hard-to-pronounce preservatives found in muffins from the grocery store. For more nutritious muffins, try making our Healthy Apple Muffins.
How to store apple cinnamon muffins?
- Store cooled muffins in an airtight container on the counter for about 4 days or in the fridge for up to 1 week.
How to Freeze?
- Let them cool completely and place them in a Ziploc freezer bag. Use a straw to suck out as much air as possible before sealing and freezing for up to 3 months.
For More Muffins:
Healthy Apple Muffins
25 mins
Mini Applesauce Muffins
21 mins
Banana Crumb Muffins
26 mins
Recipe Video
Bran Muffins
28 mins
Recipe Video