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Cozy Apple Cider Donut Muffins Recipe Easy Cinnamon Sugar Crunch

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These Cozy Apple Cider Donut Muffins feature a moist, tender crumb infused with reduced apple cider and a crunchy cinnamon sugar topping, perfect for a warm, comforting fall treat.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (freshly ground if possible)
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup brown sugar, packed (light or dark works)
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • ¾ cup apple cider, reduced down to about ½ cup for concentrated flavor
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup peeled and finely chopped tart apples (Fuji or Granny Smith)
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar (for cinnamon sugar topping)
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon (for cinnamon sugar topping)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (for cinnamon sugar topping)

Instructions

  1. Pour ¾ cup apple cider into a small saucepan. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat, then lower the heat and simmer until reduced to about ½ cup, thick and syrupy, about 15 minutes. Set aside to cool.
  2. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 12-cup muffin tin or line with paper liners.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt until well combined.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk granulated sugar and brown sugar with the egg until smooth and slightly fluffy. Add melted butter, cooled apple cider reduction, and vanilla extract; mix until fully incorporated.
  5. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Gently fold with a spatula just until combined. Fold in chopped apples carefully to distribute evenly.
  6. In a small bowl, combine granulated sugar and cinnamon for the topping. Set aside melted butter separately for brushing.
  7. Spoon batter into muffin cups, filling about ¾ full (approximately ⅓ cup or 80 ml per muffin). Brush tops lightly with melted butter, then sprinkle generously with cinnamon sugar mixture.
  8. Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and tops are golden with a crunchy cinnamon sugar crust. Watch closely to avoid burning the topping.
  9. Let muffins cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Best enjoyed warm.

Notes

Reduce the apple cider to concentrate flavor and avoid thinning the batter. Fold apples gently to maintain texture. Brush muffin tops with melted butter before sprinkling cinnamon sugar to ensure a crunchy topping. Watch baking time closely to prevent burning the topping. Muffins are best served warm and can be stored in an airtight container for 2 days at room temperature or frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple cider muffins, cinnamon sugar topping, fall recipes, cozy muffins, easy muffin recipe, apple muffins, breakfast muffins

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