Description
These Caramel Apple Muffins are a bakery-worthy fall treat, combining tender spiced batter, chunks of fresh apples, and gooey caramel. Perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert, they’re cozy, flavorful, and guaranteed to impress at brunches, school events, or family gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (or half whole wheat)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup plain yogurt or sour cream
- 1½ cups diced apples (Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Fuji)
- ½ cup soft caramel candies or caramel sauce
- Optional toppings: streusel crumble, extra caramel drizzle, chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Cream butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla.
- Alternate adding dry mixture with yogurt (or sour cream) until just combined.
- Fold in diced apples gently.
- Fill muffin cups ¾ full with batter.
- Add a teaspoon of caramel or a caramel candy into the center of each muffin, covering with batter.
- Bake 18–22 minutes, until golden and mostly clean when tested with a toothpick.
- Cool slightly, then drizzle with extra caramel or add toppings if desired.
Notes
- For a crumble topping, mix ½ cup flour, ¼ cup oats, ¼ cup brown sugar, ¼ tsp cinnamon, and ¼ cup melted butter. Sprinkle on muffins before baking.
- Granny Smith apples add tartness, while Honeycrisp adds natural sweetness.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep muffins tender.
- Store in an airtight container for 3 days at room temp, or freeze up to 3 months.
- For mini muffin bites, use a mini tin and reduce baking time.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Breakfast, Fall Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 muffin
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 190mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: Caramel Apple Muffins, Fall Muffin Recipe, Apple Dessert, Gourmet Muffins, Apple Spice Muffins