Description
These apple butter muffins are bursting with apple goodness. Infused with apple butter, apple pie spice, and apples baked right into the muffin. Easy to make, and perfect for fall baking.
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups white whole wheat flour (see notes for GF option)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 to 4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon to 2 teaspoons ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 large eggs, room temp
- 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
- 1 1/4 cups apple butter, room temp (click here for my slow cooker apple butter recipe)
- 1/2 cup coconut sugar, or brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 large firm apple, peeled, cored, and chopped (gala, fuji, honeycrisp, granny smith, pink lady etc).
- Optional topping: 2 tablespoons turbinado sugar
Instructions
- Bring to room temp: 1 to 2 hours before you plan to bake, make sure to allow your apple butter and eggs to sit out at room temp. I go ahead and measure out my apple butter so that it’s ready to go.
- Prepare: Once you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Either line a muffin tin with paper muffin liners, or lightly grease it – set aside. Melt the coconut oil, so it’s not piping hot when you go to use it – set aside.
- Mix the dry ingredients: To a large mixing bowl, add the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, ground cloves, and salt. Whisk to combine – set aside.
- Combine the dry ingredients: To a medium mixing bowl add the eggs, apple butter, and coconut sugar – whisk to combine. Slowly whisk the coconut oil in. Finally, whisk in the vanilla.
- Chop the apple: At this time, peel, core, and chop up the apple so it’s ready to go.
- Combine: Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir using a rubber spatula, just until well combined – careful not to overmix. Gently fold the chopped apple in.
- Bake: Transfer the batter to the prepared muffin tin. Fill each cavity with 1/4 cup of batter. Tip: I like to use a spring loaded ice cream scoop. Sprinkle each muffin with the turbinado sugar (optional step). Bake in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the center of the muffins come out mostly clean with a cake tester, or skewer is inserted in the center. The center of the muffins should spring back slightly when you touch them.
- Cool: Allow the muffins to cool in the muffin tin for 10 minutes. Then, remove them to a cooling rack. They are good slightly warm, but hold together better when completely cooled.
- Enjoy: These muffins are best when eaten the same day they are baked. However, they are still good a few days later. Just note, that the sugar topping doesn’t remain crunchy after day 2.
- Store: Store any leftover muffins in an airtight container that is lined with layers of paper towels, and topped with another layer of paper towels. Store them in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Notes
Apple butter: I have a super easy recipe for slow cooker apple butter that needs to be made in advance of this recipe. Click here for the recipe. Feel free to use store bought apple butter, if you prefer.
Applesauce: You could swap the apple butter for applesauce in this recipe, just know that the apple flavor won’t be as delicious, or as intense. I would add more sugar to make up for the lack of sweetness, and more spices. I would recommend sticking with apple butter for this recipe, when possible.
Gluten free: To make this recipe gluten free I suggest using a gluten free flour blend. My go-to, is Bob’s Red Mill, gluten free 1 to 1 baking flour. Note: that I have not tested this recipe using gluten free flour, however with my gluten free baking experience, I am confident that this swap would work fine. Let me know if you try it.
Sugar topping: The sugar topping is totally optional. It does add a nice crunch and visual appeal. However, it sort of becomes soggy on day 2 of leftovers. Honestly, if I was making these to just be enjoyed in our house I would skip the sugar. It is a nice touch if you’re making these muffins to serve to guests, or bring to a gathering.
