Caramel Apple Muffins: Perfect for Breakfast or Dessert

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Picture this: soft, fluffy muffins bursting with spiced apple chunks and topped with a luscious caramel drizzle. That’s exactly what caramel apple muffins bring to your breakfast table.

They’re like your favorite autumn dessert wrapped up in a grab-and-go form, perfect for starting your day with something indulgent yet comforting. Ready to make these irresistibly sweet and spicy muffins? Let’s get started!

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour (for a soft, sturdy structure)

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar (provides the right amount of sweetness)

• 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed (adds a deep caramel-like flavor)

• 2 teaspoons baking powder (helps the muffins rise beautifully)

• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda (works with the acidic ingredients for a light texture)

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (brings warm, cozy flavor)

• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional, but adds depth)

• 1/4 teaspoon salt (balances the sweetness)

• 1/3 cup vegetable oil (keeps the muffins moist and tender)

• 1/2 cup buttermilk (creates a soft, melt-in-your-mouth crumb; milk with a splash of vinegar works too)

• 2 large eggs (at room temperature for easier mixing)

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (adds warmth to the flavor)

• 1 1/2 cups peeled and diced apples (choose firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)

For the caramel topping:

• 1/4 cup store-bought caramel sauce (or homemade if you’re feeling adventurous)

• A pinch of sea salt (optional, for a salted caramel twist).

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a standard muffin tin with paper liners, or lightly grease each cup.

2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. This ensures the dry ingredients are well combined and evenly distributed.

3. In a separate bowl, whisk the vegetable oil, buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth. This creates a rich, creamy base for the batter.

4. Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the bowl of dry ingredients. Using a spatula or wooden spoon, stir gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix—the batter should be slightly lumpy to keep the muffins light and fluffy.

5. Fold in the diced apples, making sure they’re evenly distributed throughout the batter. Each muffin deserves a generous bite of sweet, spiced apple!

6. Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin tin, filling each cup about three-quarters full. This gives them enough room to rise without overflowing.

7. Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. Keep an eye on them toward the end of baking to ensure they don’t overcook.

8. Once the muffins are baked, let them cool in the tin for about 5 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool slightly before adding the caramel topping.

9. Drizzle the warm muffins with caramel sauce. Use a spoon to create thin, even streams of caramel across the tops of each muffin. If you like, sprinkle a pinch of sea salt over the caramel for a salted caramel variation.

Here’s what you’ll need to make about 12 caramel apple muffins:

Make sure your apples are diced into small, even pieces so they cook evenly in the muffins. The tartness of Granny Smith apples pairs beautifully with the sweet caramel drizzle, creating a perfect balance of flavors.

Tip

These muffins are best enjoyed fresh while the caramel is still sticky and the apples are tender. The combination of sweet caramel, warm spices, and tart apple creates a comforting flavor that feels like a hug in muffin form.

Perfect for a cozy breakfast or an afternoon snack, caramel apple muffins are bound to become one of your favorite recipes in the best breakfast muffin recipes collection!