Description
Classic caramel apple delight muffins bring warmth and nostalgia to breakfast tables across North America. Crunchy walnuts and sweet caramel elevate these tender muffins into an irresistible morning treat you cannot resist.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (473 ml) diced apples (peeled and cored)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups (180 g) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar
- ½ cup (120 ml) buttermilk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ cup (60 g) chopped walnuts
- Caramel sauce for drizzling
Instructions
- Preheat Preparation: Calibrate oven to 350°F and outfit a muffin tin with protective paper liners or a delicate cooking spray application.
- Dry Ingredient Fusion: Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a medium mixing bowl, ensuring uniform ingredient integration.
- Butter-Sugar Transformation: Cream softened butter with granulated and brown sugars using an electric mixer until the mixture achieves a light, airy consistency with a pale hue.
- Liquid Binding: Blend eggs into the sugar-butter base individually, fully incorporating each, then introduce vanilla extract to elevate flavor complexity.
- Batter Composition: Merge dry flour mixture and buttermilk into the wet ingredients alternately, creating a smooth consistency while minimizing mixing to preserve tender texture.
- Ingredient Incorporation: Gently fold chopped apples and walnuts throughout the batter, ensuring even distribution without overmixing.
- Baking Preparation: Distribute batter into muffin cups, filling each approximately two-thirds full to facilitate optimal rising during the baking process.
- Thermal Transformation: Bake in the preheated oven for 18-22 minutes, verifying doneness through a clean toothpick test when inserted into the muffin’s center.
- Cooling Protocol: Allow muffins to rest in the tin for five minutes to stabilize structural integrity, then transition to a cooling rack for complete temperature reduction.
- Final Embellishment: Once thoroughly cooled, cascade a luxurious caramel sauce drizzle over the muffins, creating an indulgent and visually appealing finish.
Notes
- Prevent Overmixing: Stir batter minimally to keep muffins tender and light, avoiding tough, dense results.
- Apple Selection Matters: Choose firm, slightly tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for optimal texture and balanced flavor.
- Toothpick Test Technique: Ensure muffins are fully baked by inserting a clean toothpick – it should come out without wet batter clinging to it.
- Cooling is Crucial: Allow muffins to rest in the tin for five minutes before transferring to prevent structural collapse and maintain perfect shape.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 215
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg