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Soft apple cinnamon muffins with cinnamon sugar topping

Apple Cinnamon Muffins

Soft, moist muffins filled with tender apple chunks and warm cinnamon spice, topped with a sweet cinnamon sugar crust.Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or cozy fall mornings.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 12 Muffins
Calories: 280
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg optional
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup unsalted butter melted
  • 2 large eggs room temperature
  • ½ cup milk
  • ½ cup plain yogurt or sour cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ cups diced apples peeled
  • Optional Cinnamon Sugar Topping:
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease lightly.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, granulated sugar, and brown sugar.
  3. In another bowl, whisk melted butter, eggs, milk, yogurt, and vanilla extract until smooth.
  4. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Mix gently until just combined. Do not overmix.
  5. Fold diced apples into the batter evenly.
  6. Divide batter evenly, filling each cup about ¾ full.
  7. Sprinkle cinnamon sugar topping over each muffin. Bake 18–22 minutes until golden and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
  8. Let muffins cool for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Notes

  • Use firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for best texture.
  • Toss apples in a little flour to prevent sinking.
  • Do not overmix to keep muffins soft and fluffy.
  • Store in airtight container up to 2 days at room temperature.
  • Freeze up to 2 months for meal prep.