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These apple cider muffins taste just like apple cider donuts, and you can make them year-round! No fresh apples needed, and perfect for breakfast or snack time.
Learn how to make apple cider muffins for World Cider Day, fall, or just because!
These moist treats are packed with spiced apple flavor and generously topped with a buttery, spiced sugar mixture for the perfect crunchy contrast.
They’re just like those cider donuts we all love at apple orchards and farmers’ markets, minus the frying and all the fuss.
And since these apple cider baked goods are made with simple ingredients, you can bake a batch anytime you need something sweet, cozy, and hearty.
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Looking for more recipes using apple cider? Try our spiked apple cider floats next!
And if you’re ready to jump-start your list of fall muffin recipes this year, these gluten-free apple muffins are a must-bake.
Why You’ll Love This Apple Cider Muffins Recipe
- This apple cider muffin recipe only needs a few ingredients, so you no longer have to wait for fall to satisfy your cravings for apple cider donuts.
- These easy fall muffins aren’t just for the apple season. Bake them anytime you want a sweet and satisfying treat for breakfast, snack, or dessert.
- These homemade muffins are adaptable, whether you want regular-sized muffins or mini quick apple desserts!
Ingredients
Apple muffins:
All-purpose flour – Measure your flour correctly to avoid dry, dense muffins!
Baking powder – To help our apple cider muffins rise.
Granulated sugar – For sweetness. You can also use a combination of white and brown sugar for a more nuanced flavor.
Apple pie spice – No need to measure multiple spices for this apple cider muffins recipe! Just use an apple pie spice blend.
Salt – To balance the sweetness of the cider muffins.
Apple cider – This is where our spiced muffins get their deep apple flavor without needing fresh apples. If you have extra time, you can use reduced apple cider!
Milk – For richness and moisture.
Eggs – For structure.
Oil – For a perfectly delicate crumb.
Spiced sugar topping:
Unsalted butter – Helps the spiced sugar stick and adds a rich, buttery goodness to the apple cider spice muffins.
Apple pie spice – This spice blend easily enhances recipes with apple cider. If you prefer, you can also mix and match your favorite spices to suit your taste!
Granulated sugar – Lends extra sweetness and crunch to the spiced apple cider muffins.
Ingredient Additions & Substitutions For Apple Cider Muffin
White whole wheat flour
If you want a more rustic take on your apple cider muffins, you can swap the all-purpose flour with white whole wheat flour.
Chopped apples
Feel free to make this apple cider muffin recipe with a Granny Smith apple! Just peel and dice it up so the pieces get baked all the way through.
Streusel
These soft, moist apple cider spice muffins are perfect with a streusel topping!
Combine 3 1/2 tablespoons of melted butter with 1/2 cup of flour, 1/4 cup of brown sugar, 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar, and half a teaspoon of ground cinnamon.
Then, refrigerate until you’re ready to top the muffin batter in the pan.
Tips For Making This Recipe
Check Your Cider
Make sure you’re using apple cider, not apple cider vinegar. You’re looking for fresh cider here, and not hard cider either!
Get Beautiful Domes
For those social media-ready tall muffin domes, start baking at 425°F for 5 minutes, then reduce the oven temperature to 350°F for the remaining bake time.
Storage Tips
You can store your cider muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the fridge for up to 1 week. Just note that the moisture can make the sugar topping sticky after around day 2 or 3.
Apple Cider Muffin Recipe FAQs
What is the difference between apple cider and apple juice?
Apple cider undergoes minimal processing compared to apple juice, which is filtered and often contains preservatives. Apple cider also has a more robust flavor, while the more processed apple juice is typically sweeter.
Can I use apple juice instead?
Yes, you can technically use apple juice in these apple muffins if you can’t find cider. Just keep in mind they won’t have quite the same deep flavor.
Do you have to reduce the apple cider for this apple cider muffin recipe?
Nope. But for a more potent flavor in your apple cider muffins, you can reduce the cider by simmering it on the stove until it thickens slightly.
What can I use instead of apple pie spice?
Instead of a spice blend, just your favorite autumn spices for these apple muffins!
Can I make mini muffins with this apple cider muffin recipe?
Of course! Just line your mini muffin tin, fill the cups, and bake the mini apple cider muffins at 350°F for about 11 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
More Delicious Fall Treats
- Pumpkin Muffin
- Apple Butter Cookies
- Apple Cinnamon Bread
- Double Chocolate Banana Bread
- Dairy Free Pumpkin Bread
I found this recipe for Apple Bread that I HAVE to try!
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Apple Cider Muffins
Ingredients
For the apple muffins:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp apple pie spice
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup apple cider
- 1/4 cup milk, room temperature
- 2 eggs, room temperature
- 2 tbsp oil
For the spiced sugar topping:
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tsp apple pie spice
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line the muffin pan with paper liners.
- In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the wet ingredients. Pour the wet mixture into the flour mixture.
- Gently stir to form the batter. Do not overmix!
- Fill each muffin cup about 2/3 full with the batter.
- Bake the apple cider muffins for about 20 minutes.
- Insert a toothpick into the center of a muffin. If it comes out clean, remove the pan from the oven.
- Let the muffins rest in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- In a small bowl, mix the sugar and apple pie spice.
- Dunk the tops of the muffins in melted butter so the sugar topping sticks.
- Dip the muffin tops in the spiced sugar, and you’re done. Enjoy!
Notes
- Make sure you that you’re using apple cider and not apple cider vinegar. You’re looking for fresh cider here, and not hard cider either!
- For those social media-ready tall muffin domes, start baking at 425°F for 5 minutes, then reduce the oven temperature to 350°F for the remaining bake time.
- You can store your cider muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the fridge for up to 1 week. Just note that the moisture can make the sugar topping sticky after around day 2 or 3.
Nutrition
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