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- 2 cups all-purpose flour - 1 cup apple cider - 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce - 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed - 1/4 cup granulated sugar - 1/2 cup vegetable oil - 1 large egg - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - 1 tablespoon baking powder - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon - 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional) - 1/2 cup shredded apple (about 1 medium apple) The base of these muffins is all-purpose flour. It gives structure and helps the muffins rise. Apple cider adds moisture and a sweet, tangy flavor. Unsweetened applesauce keeps the muffins soft and light. Brown sugar gives a rich taste, while granulated sugar adds a little sweetness. Vegetable oil keeps the muffins moist and tender. The egg helps bind everything together. Vanilla extract adds a warm flavor. Baking powder is crucial for that perfect rise. Ground cinnamon and nutmeg bring warmth and spice, making these muffins feel cozy. You can add chopped walnuts or pecans for crunch. They add a nice texture and flavor. Shredded apple gives extra moisture and boosts the apple flavor. You can also consider adding raisins or dried cranberries for a chewy surprise. Choose what you like to make these muffins your own! {{ingredient_image_1}} First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This step is key. While it heats, line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners. If you don’t have liners, lightly grease each cup. In a large bowl, add 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon of baking powder, 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon of ground nutmeg, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Whisk these ingredients together until well mixed. This helps the muffins rise well. In another bowl, whisk together 3/4 cup of packed brown sugar and 1/4 cup of granulated sugar. Add 1/2 cup of vegetable oil, 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, 1 cup of apple cider, and 1/2 cup of unsweetened applesauce. Mix until smooth. This mixture adds moisture and flavor. Now, slowly pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir gently until just combined. Don’t overmix; a few lumps are fine. Next, fold in 1/2 cup of shredded apple and 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans, if you like. This adds texture and taste. Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups, filling each about 2/3 full. Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes. To check if they're done, insert a toothpick in the center. It should come out clean. Let the muffins cool in the pan for 5-7 minutes before moving them to a wire rack. Enjoy your delicious apple cider muffins! To get soft, fluffy muffins, watch your mixing. Mix the wet and dry ingredients until just combined. A few lumps are okay. Overmixing can make muffins tough. Use room-temperature ingredients for the best rise. This helps the batter blend well. Storing muffins is easy. Keep them in an airtight container. They stay fresh for about three days at room temperature. For longer storage, put them in the fridge. Reheat in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. This brings back their soft texture. You can make these muffins ahead of time. Bake and cool them, then store as mentioned above. You can also freeze them. Wrap each muffin in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag. They last up to three months in the freezer. Just thaw or reheat when you want to enjoy them! Pro Tips Use Fresh Apples: For the best flavor, use fresh, crisp apples for shredding. Varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work well! Don't Overmix: When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix just until combined. Overmixing can lead to dense muffins. Check for Doneness: Insert a toothpick into the center of a muffin; if it comes out clean or with a few crumbs, they are ready! Storage Tips: Store leftover muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for longer freshness. {{image_2}} You can change the sweet taste of your apple cider muffins. Try using honey or maple syrup instead of brown sugar. These sweeteners add a unique flavor. You can also use coconut sugar for a lower glycemic index. This makes the muffins a bit healthier. Adjust the amount of liquid to keep the batter right. If you use liquid sweeteners, reduce your apple cider slightly. Want to spice things up? Add fruits like cranberries or raisins to your batter. These add sweetness and a chewy texture. You can also mix in spices like ginger or cardamom for a warm flavor. If you like nuts, walnuts or pecans are great too. They add crunch and depth. Don’t forget about chocolate chips! They give a fun twist to these muffins. Making your muffins gluten-free is easy! Use a gluten-free flour blend in place of regular flour. Be sure it has a good mix of starches and proteins. For a vegan version, swap the egg for a flax egg. Just mix one tablespoon of ground flaxseed with three tablespoons of water. Let it sit for a few minutes until it thickens. You can also replace the vegetable oil with applesauce. This keeps your muffins moist and adds natural sweetness. To keep your apple cider muffins fresh, store them in an airtight container. This helps keep them soft and moist. You can place them at room temperature for up to three days. If you want to keep them longer, consider refrigeration. However, this might change their texture a bit. For best taste, enjoy them fresh! Freezing is a great option if you want to save muffins for later. First, let them cool completely. Then, wrap each muffin tightly in plastic wrap. Place the wrapped muffins in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can last up to three months in the freezer. When you want to eat one, just remove it and thaw at room temperature. Reheating your muffins brings back their warmth and flavor. If they are frozen, let them thaw first. You can then heat them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-10 minutes. This makes them soft again. Alternatively, use the microwave for about 15-20 seconds. Enjoy your muffins warm for the best taste! Yes, you can use various types of apple cider. Each type brings its own flavor. For a sweeter taste, try sweet apple cider. If you want a sharper flavor, go for spiced cider. Just keep in mind that the flavor will change based on your choice. You can substitute oil with melted butter or unsweetened applesauce. Both options will keep the muffins moist. If you choose applesauce, the muffins may taste a bit sweeter. Butter gives a rich flavor, while applesauce adds fruitiness. To check if the muffins are done, use a toothpick. Insert it in the center of a muffin. If it comes out clean, the muffins are ready. If you see batter on the toothpick, they need more time. Usually, they bake for about 15-20 minutes. Apple cider muffins can be a healthy treat. They use applesauce and apple cider, which offer some nutrients. However, they do contain sugar and oil. To make them healthier, you can reduce the sugar or use whole wheat flour. Yes, you can make mini muffins! Just use a mini muffin pan instead of a regular one. Fill each cup about half full. Bake for about 10-12 minutes. Check them with a toothpick to see if they are done. You have learned about making apple cider muffins from the ground up. We covered the key ingredients that make these muffins tasty, and we explored various flavor options. I shared step-by-step instructions to guide you through baking them perfectly. Tips for storage and variations also help you make these muffins fit your needs. Remember, enjoy the process and the delicious results! Happy baking!

Cinnamon-Spiced Apple Cider Muffins

Delicious muffins infused with the flavors of cinnamon and apple cider, perfect for breakfast or a snack.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 150 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup apple cider
  • 1 2/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 3 4 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
  • 1 2 cup shredded apple (about 1 medium apple)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners or grease lightly.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Whisk together to blend.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, granulated sugar, vegetable oil, egg, vanilla extract, apple cider, and applesauce until smooth.
  • Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; it’s okay if a few lumps remain.
  • Fold in the shredded apple and nuts, if using, until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
  • Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups, filling each about 2/3 full.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  • Allow the muffins to cool in the pan for 5-7 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Optional nuts can be added for extra crunch.
Keyword apple cider, cinnamon, muffins