Embrace the cozy flavors of autumn with these delightful Luscious Caramel Apple Muffins! These tender, moist muffins are bursting with sweet diced apples and crunchy walnuts, all infused with warming cinnamon, and crowned with a luscious drizzle of homemade caramel sauce. They’re incredibly easy to whip up, filling your home with the most inviting aromas, and are perfect for a festive breakfast, a comforting snack, or a sweet treat with your morning coffee.
Why I Love This Recipe
These Luscious Caramel Apple Muffins are a true embodiment of fall comfort, and they’ve become a staple in my autumn baking! What I love most is the way they combine the natural sweetness and slight tartness of diced apples with the warming embrace of cinnamon and the satisfying crunch of chopped walnuts. The use of both granulated and brown sugars, along with softened butter and buttermilk, ensures an incredibly moist and tender crumb, making every bite a delight. And then, there’s that final touch of a homemade caramel sauce drizzle – it adds an extra layer of rich, buttery sweetness that elevates these muffins from delicious to utterly irresistible. They’re quick to make, bake up beautifully, and are fantastic for celebrating the season!
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to create these delicious Luscious Caramel Apple Muffins:
For the Muffins:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 2 cups diced apples (peeled and cored, about 2 medium apples)
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
For the Caramel Sauce (from note):
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons salted butter, room temperature
- ½ cup heavy cream, room temperature
Swaps and Notes
- Apples: Use firm, crisp apples that hold their shape well when baked, such as Honeycrisp, Fuji, Gala, or Braeburn. Peeling and coring is recommended.
- Unsalted Butter (Muffins): Softened butter is crucial for the muffin’s tender crumb.
- Sugars (Muffins): The blend of granulated and brown sugar adds depth and moisture.
- Buttermilk: This contributes to the muffins’ tenderness and moisture. If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make a quick substitute: add 1/2 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to a liquid measuring cup, then fill the rest of the way to 1/2 cup with regular milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using.
- Walnuts: Chopped walnuts add a delightful crunch. Pecans can be substituted, or omit for a nut-free muffin.
- Ground Cinnamon: Essential for that classic apple spice flavor. A pinch of nutmeg or allspice can be added for more complexity.
- Caramel Sauce: The recipe suggests a homemade caramel, which is provided in the “Notes.” You can also use a good quality store-bought caramel sauce for convenience.
Directions
Let’s get these delicious Luscious Caramel Apple Muffins baking!
- Preheat Oven & Prep Muffin Tin: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a standard 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease it thoroughly with cooking spray.
- Whisk Dry Ingredients (Muffins): In a medium bowl, whisk together the 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Set aside.
- Cream Wet Ingredients (Muffins): In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer (stand mixer or handheld), beat the 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, and 1/2 cup packed brown sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes. Add the 2 large eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition until fully incorporated. Stir in the 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
- Combine Batter: Gradually add the dry ingredients mixture (from step 2) to the wet ingredients mixture, alternating with the 1/2 cup buttermilk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Mix on low speed, or by hand, just until combined and a smooth batter forms. Be careful not to overmix, as overmixing can lead to tough muffins.
- Fold in Apples & Walnuts: Gently fold in the 2 cups diced apples and 1/2 cup chopped walnuts until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Fill Muffin Cups: Divide the batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups, filling each about 2/3 full.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. The tops should be golden brown and spring back when lightly touched.
- Cool: Allow the muffins to cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
For the Caramel Sauce (as per note):
- Melt Sugar: In a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan, melt 1 cup granulated sugar over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally with a heatproof spatula. This may take 5-10 minutes. Do not increase the heat too much, or it will burn.
- Add Butter: Once the sugar has completely melted and turned into an amber-colored liquid, immediately remove from heat. Add 6 tablespoons room temperature salted butter. The mixture will bubble vigorously; whisk constantly until the butter is fully melted and incorporated.
- Whisk in Cream: Slowly pour in ½ cup room temperature heavy cream, whisking constantly. The mixture may seize and harden at first, but keep whisking until it becomes smooth and creamy again.
- Cool Slightly: Allow the caramel sauce to cool slightly, about 10-15 minutes, before drizzling. It will thicken as it cools.
Final Assembly:
- Drizzle & Serve: Drizzle the prepared caramel sauce generously over the cooled muffins before serving.
Tips for Success
- Softened Butter (Muffins): Ensures a tender, fluffy crumb.
- Don’t Overmix Muffins: Mix just until the dry ingredients are moistened. Lumps are okay. Overmixing makes muffins tough.
- Diced Apples: Cut apples into small, consistent pieces for even distribution and baking.
- Caramel Sauce Patience: When making homemade caramel, be patient and don’t rush the melting sugar, and be careful when adding butter and cream as it will bubble intensely.
- Cool Muffins Completely: Drizzle caramel only over cooled muffins; otherwise, it will soak in too much or melt off.
- Warm Caramel for Drizzling: If your caramel sauce has cooled too much and is too thick, warm it gently for a few seconds in the microwave to make it pourable.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
These Luscious Caramel Apple Muffins are a delightful treat on their own, perfect for:
- Breakfast or Brunch: A festive and comforting way to start your day, especially during the fall.
- Coffee or Tea Time: The perfect companion for your morning coffee or afternoon tea.
- After-School Snack: A wholesome and delicious treat for kids.
- Holiday Gift: Package in decorative bags or boxes for a thoughtful homemade present.
- With Ice Cream: A warm muffin with a scoop of vanilla ice cream makes a lovely dessert.
- For other delightful fall treats, consider our These Caramel Apple Pie Cookies Are My Favorite Fall Treat In Bite-Sized Form or our These Caramel Apple Nachos Are My Favorite Quick Fall Dessert Trick.
Storage and Leftover Tips
These muffins stay wonderfully moist for several days!
- Room Temperature: Store cooled, drizzled muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. The caramel may absorb into the muffin over time.
- Refrigeration (Optional): If your home is very warm, or if you make them ahead for longer storage, refrigerate. Bring to room temperature or gently warm before serving.
- Freezing (Un-drizzled): Baked muffins (without caramel drizzle) freeze beautifully. Once completely cooled, place them in a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature and drizzle with fresh caramel before serving.
More Recipes You Will Love
If you loved the moist, comforting, and sweet nature of these apple muffins, you’ll definitely want to explore some of our other fantastic, fuss-free baking and dessert recipes:
- For another beloved quick bread that uses fruit, try our This Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Is My Favorite Way To Use Up Overripe Bananas.
- If you’re a fan of easy and delightful seasonal muffins, check out These Easy Pumpkin Spice Muffins Are My Favorite Fall Treat To Bake On Repeat.
- If you’re a fan of big, comforting desserts that feed a crowd, our This Big Family Banana Pudding Is My Favorite Classic Dessert To Feed A Crowd is a must-try.
- And for a delightful no-bake fall dessert, our This Pumpkin Delight Dessert Is My Favorite No-Bake Fall Treat is a winner.
Final Thoughts
These Luscious Caramel Apple Muffins are a true celebration of autumn flavors – incredibly moist, perfectly spiced, and wonderfully comforting. They’re the perfect bake to fill your home with delicious aromas and bring a smile to anyone’s face during the fall season.
Give this recipe a try and let these delightful muffins become your new go-to fall treat! What’s your favorite way to enjoy baked apples? Share your ideas and feedback in the comments below!
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