Description
Moist, tender muffins infused with real reduced apple cider and spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, coated in a sweet cinnamon sugar mixture. A baked alternative to traditional fried cider donuts.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup apple cider (reduced to 1/2 cup if using fresh)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt (full-fat Greek or regular)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 medium Granny Smith apple, peeled and diced
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for coating)
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon (for coating)
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted (for coating)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
- If using fresh apple cider, simmer 1 cup in a saucepan until reduced to 1/2 cup. Let cool completely.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- In a medium bowl, whisk granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, oil, yogurt, vanilla, and cooled apple cider until smooth.
- Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Gently fold together with a spatula until just combined; batter should be lumpy.
- Fold in diced apples. Divide batter evenly among muffin cups, filling each about 3/4 full.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- While muffins bake, mix 1/2 cup sugar and 1 tablespoon cinnamon in a small bowl.
- Let muffins cool in pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
- While still warm, brush tops with melted butter and immediately roll in cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Cool completely or serve warm.
Notes
Use real apple cider, not juice, for authentic flavor. Reduce fresh cider to concentrate flavor. Do not overmix the batter to ensure tender muffins. Coat muffins while they are warm, not hot or cold, so the sugar adheres properly. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 muffin
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 24
- Sodium: 180
- Fat: 6
- Saturated Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 42
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 3
Keywords: apple cider muffins, fall baking, donut muffins, cinnamon sugar muffins, autumn recipes, easy breakfast