Description
These Apple Cider Muffins are a delightful autumn treat featuring warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Moist and tender on the inside with a sweet, cinnamon-sugar crust, they’re perfect for breakfast or a comforting snack paired with a cup of tea or coffee.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/3 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon ginger
Wet Ingredients
- 2 large eggs (room temperature, beaten)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup apple cider or apple juice
- 1/4 cup whole milk (room temperature)
Topping
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Tin: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a standard 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly combine the all-purpose flour, 1 cup granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. This blend creates the spiced base for the muffins.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the beaten eggs, olive oil, apple cider (or apple juice), and whole milk until fully combined. These ingredients add moisture and flavor to the muffins.
- Combine Mixtures: Pour the wet ingredient mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir gently until just incorporated; avoid overmixing to keep the muffins tender and light.
- Fill Muffin Tin and Bake: Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin cups, filling each about 3/4 full to allow room for rising. Bake for 20-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean.
- Cool Muffins: Remove the muffin tin from the oven and allow the muffins to rest in the pan for 5 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare and Apply Topping: Once the muffins have cooled, melt the unsalted butter in a small bowl. In another bowl, mix the 3/4 cup granulated sugar with 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Dip the top of each muffin into the melted butter, then roll it in the cinnamon-sugar mixture, coating the tops evenly for a sweet, crunchy finish.
Notes
- Using room temperature eggs and milk ensures better batter mixing and fluffier muffins.
- You can substitute apple juice if you don’t have apple cider; the flavor will be slightly milder.
- Do not overmix the batter; it should be lumpy for tender muffins.
- For a dairy-free option, substitute whole milk and butter with plant-based alternatives.
- The cinnamon sugar topping adds extra sweetness and texture but can be omitted for a simpler muffin.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snack, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: apple cider muffins, cinnamon muffins, spiced muffins, autumn muffins, breakfast muffins, easy muffin recipe
