Apple Cider Muffins with Cinnamon Sugar Topping: A Cozy Fall Delight

These Apple Cider Muffins are the perfect blend of warm spices and sweet apple flavor, with a fluffy interior and a buttery cinnamon-sugar coating that gives them a delightful crunch. Made with a combination of apple cider and applesauce, they capture the essence of fall in every bite. The muffins are easy to make and provide the comforting taste of homemade baked goods, ideal for cool autumn mornings or as a sweet treat to pair with your afternoon coffee or tea. The rich apple cider flavor combined with the warm spices makes them perfect for celebrating the cozy vibes of the season.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe: You’ll love how moist and flavorful these muffins are, thanks to the apple cider and applesauce that not only enhance the apple flavor but also keep the muffins soft and tender. The cinnamon-sugar topping, with a hint of nutmeg, adds a crunchy, sweet coating that complements the subtle apple flavors inside. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, this recipe is perfect for both novice and experienced bakers. Plus, the muffins store well, so you can enjoy them throughout the week.

Perfect Occasion: These Apple Cider Muffins are perfect for fall gatherings, cozy brunches, or just as a snack to enjoy on a crisp autumn day. They’re also great to pack for school lunches, serve at family breakfasts, or even share as a thoughtful homemade gift. Whether you’re hosting a casual get-together or simply want to bring some seasonal flavors into your home, these muffins are sure to be a hit.

Decoration Tips: For a beautiful and delicious finish, roll the muffin tops in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar for an added layer of flavor and texture. To enhance their rustic, autumnal appeal, you can garnish the muffins with a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of glaze made from powdered sugar and apple cider. For a fun twist, serve with a dollop of whipped cream or a side of warm caramel sauce.

Recipe:

Ingredients for the Apple Cider Muffins:

• 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• 2 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ cup canola or vegetable oil
• ½ cup apple cider
• ¾ cup packed brown sugar (light or dark)
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs (room temperature)
• ¼ cup buttermilk (or regular milk, room temperature)
• ¼ cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt, room temperature)

Ingredients for the Apple Cider Butter:

• 4 tbsp unsalted butter (melted)
• 1 tbsp apple cider

Ingredients for the Cinnamon Sugar Topping:

• ⅔ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Muffins: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a 12-cup muffin pan with 6 muffin liners, alternating the placement of the liners in every other cup (this ensures a better rise during baking).In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set this dry mixture aside.In a separate bowl, whisk together the oil, apple cider, brown sugar, granulated sugar, applesauce, vanilla extract, eggs, buttermilk, and sour cream until smooth and well combined.
2. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Pour the wet mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Gently whisk until the batter is smooth, making sure not to overmix. The batter should be thick but smooth.
3. Scoop and Bake: Using a large cookie scoop or spoon, fill the muffin liners all the way to the top. The fuller the liners, the more beautifully the muffins will rise.Bake the muffins at 425°F for 8 minutes. Then, reduce the heat to 350°F (175°C) without opening the oven door, and bake for another 6-8 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
4. Cool the Muffins: Let the muffins rest in the hot muffin pan for 10 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack. Allow the muffins to cool completely before adding the toppings.
5. Prepare the Apple Cider Butter and Cinnamon Sugar: In a small bowl, melt the butter and stir in the apple cider. In a separate bowl, mix the sugar, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg for the cinnamon sugar topping.
6. Coat the Muffins: Once the muffins have cooled, dip the top of each muffin into the melted butter mixture, making sure it is fully coated. Then, immediately dip the buttered tops into the cinnamon sugar mixture, ensuring the tops are generously coated. For extra flavor, you can dip them again in the cinnamon sugar for a thicker coating.

Notes:

• To ensure the best rise, bake the muffins at a high temperature first (425°F), then lower the heat to finish baking. This gives the muffins that lovely domed top.
• These muffins are best enjoyed fresh, but you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
• If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, you can make a substitute by adding 1 teaspoon of lemon juice or vinegar to ¼ cup of milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes before using.

Enjoy your warm and cozy Apple Cider Muffins, perfect for fall days and cool mornings!