Bakery-Style Apple Cider Muffins
Soft, Fluffy Apple Cider Muffins
Warmly spiced and rolled in sweet cinnamon sugar, these apple cider muffins capture the cozy flavors of fall. Moist and tender, they’re perfect for breakfast, an afternoon snack, or paired with other autumn favorites like apple cake or apple cinnamon rolls.
🍎 Apple Cider Muffins with Cinnamon Sugar
📝 Ingredients
Muffins:
- 1 cup apple cider (not vinegar; reduce to ½ cup)
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour (spoon and level)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tsp apple pie spice (see notes)
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- ¼ cup packed brown sugar
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
Sugar Topping:
- 3 tbsp melted butter
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
👩🍳 Instructions
- Reduce the cider: Simmer apple cider over medium heat until reduced to about ½ cup. Cool or refrigerate until needed.
- Prep the oven: Preheat to 425°F (220°C). Line a muffin tin or lightly spray with cooking spray.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and apple pie spice.
- Mix wet ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together oil, sugars, eggs, applesauce, and reduced cider until smooth.
- Combine: Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and whisk until fully blended.
- Fill cups: Divide batter evenly into muffin cups, filling to the top.
- Bake: Bake at 425°F for 5 minutes, then reduce oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) without removing muffins. Continue baking 15 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Add topping: Mix sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Brush muffin tops lightly with melted butter, then roll in the cinnamon sugar mixture.
✨ Result: Tender, spiced muffins with a crisp, sweet coating—a cozy fall treat you’ll want to make again and again.
