Description
Indulge in the quintessential taste of fall with these incredibly moist apple cider and brown sugar muffins. Featuring concentrated apple cider and a crunchy cinnamon-sugar topping, they are the ultimate autumn treat.
Ingredients
2 cups fresh apple cider (reduced to 1/2 cup)
2 cups all-purpose flour
1.5 teaspoons baking powder
0.5 teaspoon baking soda
1.5 teaspoons ground cinnamon
0.5 teaspoon ground nutmeg
0.5 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup dark brown sugar, packed
1 large egg, room temperature
1/2 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup finely diced tart apples (like Granny Smith)
For topping: 3 tablespoons granulated sugar mixed with 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
Step 1: Pour 2 cups of apple cider into a small saucepan and simmer over medium heat until reduced to exactly 1/2 cup. This should take 15-20 minutes. Set aside to cool completely.
Step 2: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease with cooking spray.
Step 3: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until well combined.
Step 4: In a large bowl or stand mixer, cream the softened butter and dark brown sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, beating until smooth.
Step 5: Mix the cooled, reduced cider with the sour cream. Alternately add the dry ingredients and the cider mixture to the butter mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Fold in the diced apples gently.
Step 6: Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups. Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar topping generously over each muffin.
Step 7: Bake at 400°F for 5 minutes, then reduce the heat to 350°F (175°C) and bake for another 13-15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
For the best results, use a high-quality, unfiltered apple cider. If you don't have sour cream, full-fat Greek yogurt is an excellent substitute that maintains the moisture level.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Desserts & Baked Goods
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 muffin
- Calories: 285
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 45mg