Go Back
- 2 cups all-purpose flour - 1 cup granulated sugar - 1 tablespoon baking powder - 1 teaspoon baking soda - ½ teaspoon salt - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon - 1 cup apple cider - ½ cup vegetable oil - 2 large eggs - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - 1 cup diced Granny Smith apples (or your favorite tart apple) - ½ cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade) - Optional: extra caramel sauce for drizzling You can swap all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a nutty flavor. Use brown sugar instead of granulated sugar for a richer taste. If you need a dairy-free option, replace vegetable oil with melted coconut oil. Applesauce can work in place of eggs for a vegan version. When choosing apples, look for firm and shiny ones. Granny Smith apples are tart and perfect for this recipe. For apple cider, pick a brand with no added sugars or preservatives. Fresh spices can make a big difference, so check the date on your ground cinnamon. Always use high-quality caramel sauce for the best flavor. To start, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This is key for getting the muffins to rise nicely. Next, get your muffin tin ready. You can line it with paper liners or grease it with cooking spray. This helps the muffins come out easily. In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients. Add the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon. Use a whisk to mix them well. This ensures an even flavor throughout. In another bowl, mix the wet ingredients. Whisk together the apple cider, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Make sure this mixture is smooth. Then, pour the wet ingredients into the dry mix. Stir gently with a spatula or wooden spoon until combined. Don’t overmix; this keeps the muffins light and fluffy. Now, fold in the diced apples. Make sure they are spread evenly through the batter. Then, fill each muffin cup with about 2 tablespoons of batter. Leave some space at the top for rising. Use a teaspoon to add caramel sauce in the center of each muffin. Top it off with another tablespoon of batter to cover the caramel. This gives a surprise inside each muffin. Repeat this until all muffin cups are filled. When mixing, always use gentle strokes. This helps keep air in the batter, making your muffins fluffy. If you overmix, the muffins can be tough. Mix until just combined, then fold in your apples. To fold, use a spatula and scoop from the bottom. Turn the batter over, bringing dry ingredients up from the bottom. Do this lightly. You want to see some flour still, which is okay. Place the muffin tin in your preheated oven. Bake for 18-22 minutes. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean, your muffins are ready. After baking, let the muffins cool in the tin for about 5 minutes. Then, carefully move them to a wire rack. This cooling step helps keep them soft. For a fun twist, drizzle extra caramel sauce over the muffins once they cool. This adds a nice touch and extra sweetness. Enjoy your baking! To keep your muffins light, don't overmix the batter. When you combine wet and dry ingredients, mix just until you see no dry flour. Bubbles in the wet mix are good. They help the muffins rise! Another tip is to measure your flour correctly. Too much flour makes muffins heavy. Use a spoon to fill your measuring cup, then level it off. Store your muffins in an airtight container. This keeps them fresh and moist. If you want to keep them longer, freeze them! Wrap each muffin in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer bag. They can last up to three months. To enjoy, thaw them overnight in the fridge or microwave them for a quick treat. For a great caramel sauce, start with sugar in a heavy pot. Heat it slowly over medium heat. Stir gently until it melts into a golden syrup. If you want a richer taste, add butter and cream once the sugar is melted. Be careful not to burn it! Homemade caramel can elevate your muffins. Use it warm for a delicious drizzle on top of your muffins. {{image_4}} You can boost the taste of your muffins in fun ways. Adding nuts like walnuts or pecans gives a nice crunch. They also add healthy fats. You might try spices like nutmeg or ginger for a warm flavor. A pinch of cardamom can also make your muffins more special. Don’t be afraid to change things up! If you need a gluten-free version, swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend. Make sure it has a binding agent. For a vegan option, use flax eggs instead of real eggs. Mix one tablespoon of ground flax with three tablespoons of water. Let it sit until it thickens. Use plant-based milk in place of apple cider for more flavor. You can switch things up based on the season. In fall, try pears instead of apples for a change. Pears add sweetness and moisture. In spring, you could add berries for a fruity twist. Each season brings new flavors, so feel free to experiment. This way, you can enjoy these muffins all year long! To keep your Apple Cider Caramel Coffee Cake Muffins fresh, store them in an airtight container. This prevents air from making them dry. If you wish to keep them longer, wrap each muffin in plastic wrap first. You can then place them in a resealable bag. This method helps keep in moisture and flavor. When stored properly at room temperature, these muffins can last for about 2 to 3 days. If you place them in the fridge, they can stay fresh for about a week. For longer storage, consider freezing them. They can last in the freezer for up to 3 months. Just make sure to thaw them at room temperature before enjoying. To enjoy your muffins warm, reheating is key. You can use a microwave for quick results. Heat each muffin for about 10 to 15 seconds. If you prefer, you can warm them in the oven. Set the oven to 350°F (175°C) and heat them for 5 to 10 minutes. This will bring back their fresh-baked taste. Drizzle some extra caramel sauce on top before serving for an extra treat! Yes, you can prepare these muffins ahead of time. You can bake them a day in advance. Store them in an airtight container to keep them fresh. If you want to freeze them, wrap each muffin tightly in plastic wrap. This keeps them tasty for up to three months. When ready to eat, just thaw them in the fridge overnight. You can warm them in the oven or microwave for a few seconds. If you don’t have apple cider, you can use apple juice as a substitute. It gives a similar flavor, but it will be a bit sweeter. Another option is to mix water with a bit of lemon juice. This combination mimics the tartness of cider. You can also use unsweetened applesauce, but reduce the oil in your recipe because applesauce adds moisture. To help your muffins rise higher, make sure your baking powder is fresh. Old baking powder may not work well. Also, don’t overmix the batter. Mixing too much can make muffins dense. Fill the muffin cups only halfway, so they have room to rise. Lastly, preheat your oven properly. A hot oven helps the muffins rise quickly, making them light and fluffy. In this blog post, I shared key ingredients and their measurements. You learned about substitutes and how to pick fresh items. You also got step-by-step instructions for preparation, mixing, and baking times. I provided tips to avoid dense muffins and store them well. You found variations, including gluten-free and seasonal options. Finally, I explained storage techniques and answered common questions. Enjoy your baking journey, and remember: fresh ingredients make all the difference!

Apple Cider Caramel Coffee Cake Muffins

Indulge in the deliciousness of Apple Cider Caramel Coffee Cake Muffins! These moist and flavorful treats combine the warm spices of cinnamon with tart Granny Smith apples and a surprise caramel center. Perfect for breakfast or a cozy snack, this quick recipe takes just 40 minutes from start to finish. Click through to discover how simple it is to bake these delightful muffins and impress your friends and family!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients
  

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup granulated sugar

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 cup apple cider

½ cup vegetable oil

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup diced Granny Smith apples (or your favorite tart apple)

½ cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)

Optional: extra caramel sauce for drizzling

Instructions
 

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a muffin tin by lining it with paper liners or by greasing it generously with cooking spray to prevent sticking.

    In a large mixing bowl, use a whisk to combine the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon. Ensure these dry ingredients are well blended for even flavor.

      In a separate bowl, whisk together the apple cider, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well incorporated.

        Pour the wet mixture into the bowl containing the dry ingredients. Stir gently with a spatula or wooden spoon until the two mixtures are just combined. Avoid overmixing, as this can make the muffins dense.

          Carefully fold in the diced apples until they are evenly dispersed throughout the batter.

            Fill each muffin cup with approximately 2 tablespoons of batter, leaving them about halfway full.

              Use a teaspoon to add caramel sauce into the center of each muffin. Then, top each muffin with an additional tablespoon of batter to completely cover the caramel.

                Continue this process until all muffin cups are filled, ensuring there’s a bit of space at the top for the batter to rise while baking.

                  Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven, baking for 18-22 minutes. You’ll know they're done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, with no wet batter clinging to it.

                    Once baked, allow the muffins to cool in the tin for about 5 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

                      Optional: For a delightful finishing touch, drizzle additional caramel sauce over the cooled muffins just before serving to enhance their sweetness and visual appeal.

                        Prep Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 40 minutes | Servings: 12 muffins

                          - Presentation Tips: For an eye-catching display, arrange the muffins on a beautiful platter and consider scattering a few extra apple slices around them. A light dusting of powdered sugar can add a lovely touch as well!