Cinnamon Sugar Apple Muffins

Cinnamon Sugar Apple Muffins on marble surface with golden crusts and sprinkled cinnamon sugar. — Freshly baked Cinnamon Sugar Apple Muffins with golden tops and cozy cinnamon sugar crust on white marble.

There’s nothing quite like biting into a freshly baked Cinnamon Sugar Apple Muffin. Warm, spiced, and packed with juicy apple bits, these muffins bring cozy fall flavors into every season. Whether you’re enjoying one with your morning coffee or packing them up for an afternoon snack, these sweet and tender treats never disappoint. Best of all, they’re made in one bowl—quick, simple, and totally mess-free.

The combination of brown sugar and cinnamon adds rich, caramel-like warmth, while a crisp cinnamon sugar topping gives every bite a delightful crunch. Plus, using tart apples like Granny Smith balances the sweetness and keeps the flavor fresh, not flat.

Interestingly, apple muffins date back to early American kitchens, where seasonal apples were folded into simple batters for farmhouse breakfasts. Today, they’re still a family-favorite comfort bake—especially when dusted with just the right amount of sugar and spice.

So go ahead and bake a batch of Cinnamon Sugar Apple Muffins—you’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

Recipe Yield: 12 muffins

INGREDIENTS

1 ¾ cup all-purpose flour
1 cup peeled, diced apple (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
⅔ cup whole milk
½ cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ cup light brown sugar, packed
¼ cup granulated sugar
2 tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
2 tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp fine sea salt

Cinnamon Sugar Topping
2 tbsp granulated sugar
½ tsp ground cinnamon

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat the oven:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or lightly grease with butter or spray.

2. Mix dry ingredients:
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined.

3. Add apples and coat:
Toss the diced apples into the dry mix and stir gently so the pieces are coated—this prevents them from sinking to the bottom during baking.

4. Combine wet ingredients:
In a separate bowl or large measuring cup, whisk together the milk, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth and fully blended.

5. Make the batter:
Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture and gently fold together using a rubber spatula or wooden spoon. Stir just until no dry streaks remain—do not overmix.

6. Fill muffin cups:
Divide the batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups, filling each about ¾ full.

7. Add cinnamon sugar topping:
In a small bowl, mix 2 tbsp sugar and ½ tsp cinnamon. Sprinkle generously over the top of each muffin for a crisp, sweet crust.

8. Bake and cool:
Bake for 17–19 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling.

Helpful Tips to Perfect This Recipe

Use Tart Apples for Balance: Choose Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for a sweet-tart contrast that pairs beautifully with the warm cinnamon.
Don’t Overmix the Batter: Stir gently and stop once everything is just combined to keep the muffins tender and airy.
Crisp Topping for Texture: The cinnamon-sugar sprinkle on top creates a delicate crunch—don’t skip this step for a bakery-style finish.

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