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Apple Cider Muffins Recipe

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4.3 from 7 reviews

These delightful Apple Cider Muffins capture the essence of autumn with a perfect blend of apple cider, applesauce, and warm spices. Lightly sweetened and topped with a cinnamon sugar crust, they are moist, flavorful, and ideal for breakfast or a cozy snack.

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 12 muffins

Ingredients

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 cup (250ml) fresh apple cider (or cloudy apple juice)
  • ½ cup (120g) applesauce
  • ¼ cup (60g) apple butter
  • ⅓ cup (80ml) vegetable oil (or any neutral oil)
  • 2 large eggs (room temperature)
  • 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp vanilla bean paste

Dry Ingredients

  • 1 cup (200g) light brown sugar
  • 2 cups + 1 tbsp (260g) all-purpose flour (plain flour)
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda (bicarbonate of soda)
  • 2 tsp apple pie spice
  • ¼ tsp salt

Topping

  • ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
  • 1 ½ tbsp ground cinnamon
  • ¼ cup (65g) unsalted butter (melted)

Instructions

  1. Reduce the apple cider: Place the apple cider in a saucepan and bring to a simmer. Cook until it is reduced by half, about 7-10 minutes. Set aside and let it cool completely before using.
  2. Preheat and prepare muffin tin: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease your muffin tin or spray it with cake release and line with paper muffin liners.
  3. Mix wet ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine applesauce, apple butter, vegetable oil, light brown sugar, eggs, apple cider vinegar, and vanilla bean paste. Mix vigorously with a wooden spoon or hand mixer until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is smooth.
  4. Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and apple pie spice until well combined.
  5. Incorporate dry into wet: Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture just until combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the muffins tender. Cover the bowl with a plate and let the batter rest for 10 minutes.
  6. Fill muffin liners: After resting, gently stir the batter once more. Using a cookie scoop or spoon, fill the muffin liners to the top.
  7. Bake the muffins: Place the tin in the oven and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 10 minutes. Then reduce the temperature to 350°F (180°C) and continue baking for another 10 minutes or until the muffins are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  8. Cool muffins: Let the muffins cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  9. Prepare cinnamon sugar topping: Mix granulated sugar and ground cinnamon in a bowl. Brush the tops of the warm muffins with melted butter, then dip them into the cinnamon sugar mixture to coat. Serve warm for the best flavor and texture.

Notes

  • Use unsweetened applesauce for the best balance of sweetness and moisture.
  • Apple butter adds a rich, apple flavor and natural sweetness to the muffins.
  • Apple pie spice typically includes cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves, but you can substitute with equal parts ground cinnamon and nutmeg if unavailable.
  • Resting the batter allows the flour to hydrate fully, resulting in a better texture.
  • Ensure the apple cider is fully cooled before mixing to prevent cooking the eggs prematurely.
  • For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend.
  • Author: Maya
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Baking
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://recipeteach.com/apple-cider-muffins-recipe/