Apple cider muffins are sweet, simple, and seasonal desserts. You can serve them for breakfast, dessert, or an afternoon snack. These treats bring the warm, cozy autumn feel right to your kitchen.
Contents
Apple Cider Muffins Recipe
Apple Cider Muffins are a type of moist, flavorful, seasonal twist on classic muffins. They are infused with apple cider and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. These treats are popular in the fall and winter.
These muffins typically have a tender crumb and a sweet, spiced taste reminiscent of apple pie or apple cider donuts. Their comforting taste makes them a favorite for breakfast, brunch, or dessert.
You can enjoy these muffins with drinks that highlight their spiced apple flavor. Coffee is an ideal breakfast or snack combination. Teas like chai, cinnamon, or ginger tea enhance their cozy spices. Hot apple cider is a perfect choice for chilly days.
The dessert also pairs well with milk and cinnamon or caramel-flavored drinks like caramel latte or cinnamon-spiced beverages.
Here’s how to make the apple cider muffins:
Apple Cider Muffins
Nutrition
Ingredients
For the muffins
- 1 ½ cups apple cider
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil or melted butter
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup plain yogurt or sour cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For toppings (optional)
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar for dusting
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon for dusting
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, simmer apple cider over medium heat until reduced to about ¾ cup (around 10–15 minutes). Let cool.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease it.
- In a large bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- In another bowl, beat sugars, oil, eggs, yogurt, vanilla, and reduced apple cider until smooth.
- Add wet ingredients to the dry and stir just until combined. Do not overmix.
- Fill muffin cups about ¾ full. Bake 18–22 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- (Optional) Brush warm muffins with melted butter and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.
Notes
- You can use apple cider vinegar and apple juice (1 tbsp vinegar + 1 cup juice) as a cider substitute.
- Add Greek yogurt for extra protein and moisture.
- Freeze muffins and store up to 3 months.
SIMILAR RECIPES:
Variations
From this recipe, you can try other apple cider muffin variations below:
- Flavor Variations:
- Maple Glazed Version uses a simple glaze made of powdered sugar and pure maple syrup.
- Apple Cider Donut Muffins add a bit more cinnamon and nutmeg; dip warm muffins in melted butter and roll in cinnamon sugar for a donut-style finish.
- Apple Chunk Muffins fold in 1 cup of finely chopped apples for extra texture and fruitiness.
- Streusel Topping mixes butter, flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon into a crumbly topping and sprinkle before baking.
- Vegan Version uses flax eggs (2 tbsp flaxseed + 6 tbsp water), plant-based yogurt, and oil instead of butter.
- Add-Ins:
- Add ½ cup of walnuts or pecans for crunch.
- Mix in ⅓ cup of dried cranberries or raisins.
- Fold in caramel baking bits for gooey sweetness.
- Add ¼ cup oats for a hearty texture.
- Healthier Options:
- Whole wheat Variant swaps 1 cup of flour with whole wheat flour.
- Low sugar Version cuts sugar by ¼ and add a little unsweetened applesauce.
- Gluten-free Muffins use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.