• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
101 Cooking For Two
  • 👨‍🍳RECIPES
  • 📋About
  • ❓FAQs/Help
  • 🛒Shop
  • 📮Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • 👨‍🍳RECIPES
  • 📋About
  • ❓FAQs/Help
  • 🛒Shop
  • 📮Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • 👨‍🍳RECIPES
    • 📋About
    • ❓FAQs/Help
    • 🛒Shop
    • 📮Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    🏠Home » Recipes » Breakfast Recipes

    Apple Cinnamon Muffins

    Jan 31, 2023 by Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan · 6 Comments

    Recipe Table of Contents    
    4.77 from 13 votes

    Soft and tasty apple cinnamon muffins topped with a simple glaze are the perfect way to start your day or as a delicious snack. Ready in about 30 minutes.

    Jump To:
    • 👍Why you should make this recipe
    • 🍎Ingredients
    • 👨‍🍳How to Make Apple Cinnamon Muffins
    • ⏰Cooking Time
    • 🧁Jumbo and Mini Muffin Options
    • ❓FAQs
    • 📖Muffin Recipes
    • 🖼️Step-by-Step Photo Instructions
    • 📝Recipe

    Blue ribbon divider used for visual effect

    👍Why you should make this recipe

    • Everybody will love these delicious apple & cinnamon muffins.
    • The muffins are packed with pieces of apple and enhanced apple flavor from the addition of apple juice.
    • Very moist and tender with a delicious vanilla glaze.
    • They are easy to make and only take a bit over 30 minutes with step-by-step photo instructions.
    • Hand mixing only—no need for a stand mixer.
    • Instructions for mini-muffins and jumbo muffins are included.
    • Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or after-school snacks.
    • These muffins are low fat and low in calories, so they are a relatively "healthy" treat to fit many diets.

    This recipe is a muffin adaptation of Cook's Country Apple Fritter Recipe. The batter of apple fritters is very close to muffins.

    🍎Ingredients

    Apples—Gala or Honeycrisp suggested
    Apple juice—or cider
    Eggs
    Butter
    Milk
    Pantry ingredients—flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, powdered sugar

    👨‍🍳How to Make Apple Cinnamon Muffins

    1. Peel and chop apples into ¼ inch pieces.
    2. Spread over paper towels and firmly pat with more paper towels to dry.
    3. Mix dry ingredients: flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
    4. Mix well, add the apple and mix to coat the apple.
    5. Whisk together wet ingredients: apple juice, eggs, and melted butter.
    6. Mix the wet ingredients with dry ingredients with the apple.
    7. Fill the muffin liners to about ¾ full.
    8. Bake until the top is golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean—about 23 to 25 minutes.
    9. Mix a glaze of powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk.
    10. After the muffins cool on a rack for about 10 minutes, coat them with glaze.

    ⏰Cooking Time

    Cooking time will vary by the oven and even the pan used. Generally, the muffins will take 23 to 25 minutes but always bake to the endpoint.

    The good old toothpick test is always good to determine when the muffins are done. Also, done is about 200° on an instant-read thermometer can be helpful if in doubt.

    🧁Jumbo and Mini Muffin Options

    This recipe is for 12 standard-size muffins, but you can make different sizes. Make them like you want: mini, regular, or jumbo cook to the endpoint and not by time alone.

    Fill the paper liners to about ¾ full. Generally, bake mini muffins for 10 to 15 minutes and large muffins for 25 to 30 minutes.

    ❓FAQs

    What are the best apples to use in muffins?

    There are a lot of good cooking apples, but the total cooking time of the muffins is relatively low. So cut the apples small and use a softer apple like Gala or Honeycrisp.

    Why do the apples need to be dry?

    When the apples, or other fruit bakes, they can release fluid that can cause the baked goods to develop holes around the fruit. By cutting the pieces small, pressing them some with paper towels, and coating them with flour, the issues will decrease or disappear.

    Why are my muffins not tender?

    Like biscuits and quick bread, muffins can be easily over-mixed. That leads to gluten development, and any micro air pockets disappear. Chewy is good in bread but not muffins.

    Also overcooking muffins can make muffins less tender.

    How to store apple muffins.

    Muffins are good at room temperature for about 24 hours but need to be protected from drying out. They are good refrigerated for 3-4 days and frozen for 3-4 months.

    📖Muffin Recipes

    Strawberry Cinnamon Muffins

    Cinnamon Nut Muffins

    Really Good Banana Nut Muffins

    Whole Wheat Blueberry Muffins

    This recipe is listed in these categories. See them for more similar recipes.

    Breakfast Recipes, Dessert Recipes, Healthy Recipes, Low Fat Recipes
    Blue ribbon divider used for visual effect

    🖼️Step-by-Step Photo Instructions

    apples and muffin ingredients

    Preheat oven to 350°. Prep a 12 muffin tin with paper liners.

    drying bits of apple on paper towels

    Peel 2 medium apples and chop them into ¼ inch pieces (about the size of a peanut). Spread over paper towels and firmly pat with more paper towels to dry some.

    adding dried apple bits to the dry mixture

    Mix dry ingredients together: 2 cups of flour, ⅓ cup sugar, 1 tablespoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon nutmeg. Mix well, add the apple, and mix to coat the apple.

    mixing eggs and wet ingredients in metal bowl

    Combine wet ingredients. ¾ cup apple juice or cider, 2 eggs, and 2 tablespoons melted butter—whisk to combine.

    pouring wet mixture into dry mix

    Add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix by hand to combine—do not over mix.

    muffin papers filled partly with raw dough

    Fill the paper liners to about ¾ full.

    baked muffins in a pan

    Bake until the top is golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean—about 23-25 minutes.

    ingredients for glaze with bowl

    Mix a glaze of ⅔ cup powdered sugar, a few drops of vanilla, and about 2 teaspoons of milk.

    adding glaze to muffins with a spoon

    After the muffins cool on a rack for about 10 minutes, coat them with the glaze.

    graphic Subscribe to 101 Cooking for Two

    📝Recipe

    apple and cinnamon muffins on cooling rack B

    Apple Cinnamon Muffins

    From Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan
    Soft and tasty apple cinnamon muffins topped with a simple glaze are the perfect way to start your day or as a delicious snack. Ready in about 30 minutes.
    Tap to leave a Rating
    4.77 from 13 votes
    Print Email CollectionCollected
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 25 minutes
    Total Time: 35 minutes
    Servings #/Adjust if desired 12

    Ingredients

    US Customary - Convert to Metric
    • 2 apples - peeled and cut into ¼ inch pieces

    Dry

    • 2 cups flour
    • ⅓ cup sugar
    • 1 tablespoon baking powder
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
    • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg

    Wet

    • ¾ cup apple cider - or juice
    • 2 eggs
    • 2 tablespoons butter - melted

    Glaze

    • ⅔ cup powdered sugar
    • 2 teaspoons milk - adjust as needed
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350°. Prep a 12 muffin tin with paper liners.
      apples and muffin ingredients
    • Peel 2 medium apples and chop them into ¼ inch pieces (about the size of a peanut). Spread over paper towels and firmly pat with more paper towels to dry some.
      drying bits of apple on paper towels
    • Mix dry ingredients together: 2 cups of flour, ⅓ cup sugar, 1 tablespoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon nutmeg. Mix well, add the apple, and mix to coat the apple.
      adding dried apple bits to the dry mixture
    • Combine wet ingredients. ¾ cup apple juice or cider, 2 eggs, and 2 tablespoons melted butter—whisk to combine.
      mixing eggs and wet ingredients in metal bowl
    • Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix by hand to combine—do not over mix
      pouring wet mixture into dry mix
    • Fill the paper liners to about ¾ full.
      muffin papers filled partly with raw dough
    • Bake until the top is golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean—about 23-25 minutes.
      baked muffins in a pan
    • Mix a glaze of ⅔ cup powdered sugar, a few drops of vanilla, and about 2 teaspoons of milk.
      ingredients for glaze with bowl
    • After the muffins cool on a rack for about 10 minutes, coat them with the glaze.
      adding glaze to muffins with a spoon
    See the step-by-step photos in the post. Some recipes have an option to display the photos here with a switch above these instructions but the photos DO NOT print.

    Your Own Private Notes

    Click here to save your own private notes only you will see. These will print and be saved for your next visit.
    Blue ribbon divider used for visual effect

    Recipe Notes

    Pro Tips

    1. A very easy recipe to cut in half.
    2. Most apples, other than delicious, are good for this recipe. Gala and Honeycrisp are recommended
    3. Be sure to cut the apples small and dry well, or you will have small steam pocket holes in your muffins, and the apple pieces may not cook completely.
    4. Cooking time will vary by the oven and even the pan used. Generally, the muffins will take 23 to 25 minutes, but always bake to the endpoint.
    5. When are they done? The good old toothpick test is generally always good. Also, done is about 200° so an instant-read thermometer can be helpful.
    6. This recipe is for 12 standard-size muffins, but you can make different sizes. Make them like you want: mini, regular, or jumbo just cook to the endpoint and not by time alone. Generally, bake mini muffins for 10 to 15 minutes and large muffins for 25 to 30 minutes.
    7. Good refrigerated for 3-4 days and frozen for 3-4 months.

    To adjust the recipe size:

    You may adjust the number of servings in this recipe card under servings. This does the math for the ingredients for you. BUT it does NOT adjust the text of the instructions. So you need to do that yourself.

    Nutrition Estimate

    Nutrition Facts
    Apple Cinnamon Muffins
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 175 Calories from Fat 27
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 3g5%
    Saturated Fat 1g5%
    Cholesterol 32mg11%
    Sodium 224mg9%
    Potassium 181mg5%
    Carbohydrates 35g12%
    Fiber 1g4%
    Sugar 17g19%
    Protein 3g6%
    Vitamin A 114IU2%
    Vitamin C 2mg2%
    Calcium 56mg6%
    Iron 1mg6%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Serving size is my estimate of a normal size unless stated otherwise. The number of servings per recipe is stated above. This is home cooking, and there are many variables. All nutritional information are estimates and may vary from your actual results. To taste ingredients such as salt will be my estimate of the average used.
    Course : Breakfast
    Cuisine : American

    © 101 Cooking for Two, LLC. All content and photographs are copyright protected by us or our vendors. While we appreciate your sharing our recipes, please realize copying, pasting, or duplicating full recipes to any social media, website, or electronic/printed media is strictly prohibited and a violation of our copyrights.

    Editor's Note: Originally Published November 1, 2016. Updated with expanded options, refreshed photos, and a table of contents to help navigation.

    dogs playing in leaf pile

    More Breakfast Recipes

    • Cinnamon Biscuits with Vanilla Frosting
    • Healthier Sausage Gravy and Biscuits
    • Berry Crisp for Two or More
    • How to Cook Bacon in the Oven - Step by Step

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Comment (Policy Link in Footer) Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Gail

      January 30, 2023 at 11:10 am

      Can I make this with white whole wheat flour ?

      Reply
      • Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan

        January 30, 2023 at 11:25 am

        Hi Gail,

        The whole wheat will need a bit more fluid and will be more dense. I would add a touch more baking powder also. Those things are generalities... Report back if you do it.

        Dan

    2. Linda

      August 10, 2020 at 6:52 pm

      I'm embarrassed to need to ask this, but... do you need to heat the glaze when mixing or just mix the powdered sugar with the milk and drizzle without the heat?
      Thanks so much - love your recipes!

      Reply
      • Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan

        August 10, 2020 at 8:02 pm

        Hi Linda,

        Just cold. It comes together easily. If I make frosting, I like to beat room temperature butter to start then beat in the other ingredients.

        Dan

    3. Jan

      September 13, 2019 at 7:10 am

      4 stars
      I would like to make them jumbo muffins. How long would I have to bake them?

      Reply
      • Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan

        September 13, 2019 at 8:24 am

        Hi Jan,
        Welcome to the blog.
        I have never done jumbo with these. I will give a few generalities. It is usually only a few minutes different not anything like double. The good old toothpick test is generally always good. Also, done is about 200 degrees so an instant-read thermometer can be helpful.

        My only jumbo muffin recipe is https://www.101cookingfortwo.com/cinnamon-nut-muffins/ but no raw apple to cook.

        Let me know how it comes out.

        Dan

    Primary Sidebar

    DrDan image Hi, I’m DrDan, and welcome to 101 Cooking for Two, the home of great everyday recipes with easy-to-follow step-by-step photo instructions. About DrDan

    Popular Recipes

    • Baked Chicken Legs - Quick and Easy
    • Pan Seared Oven Roasted Filet Mignon
    • Oven Baked Chicken Thighs
    • Small Ribeye Roast
    • Pan Seared Oven Roasted Strip Steak
    • Pan Seared Oven Baked Chicken Breasts
    kitchen reference sheet graphic wide blue
    graphic of sites that I work with or have had recipes featured or referenced.
    SITES THAT I WORK WITH OR HAVE HAD RECIPES FEATURED OR REFERENCED.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top ↑

    About

    • About DrDan and the Blog
    • Business Questions
    • Comment Policy

    Content

    • Food FAQ
    • Kitchen Reference Sheets
    • Recipes Featured in the Videos
    • Guide To Cooking for Two
    • Saved Recipes Collections

    dogs by the pond

    Privacy Policy | Terms | Contact

    COPYRIGHT © 2010-2023 101 COOKING FOR TWO. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | BASED ON FOODIE PRO THEME