Homemade Rustic Cinnamon Applesauce Muffins Recipe for Fall

Warm, fragrant cinnamon applesauce muffins dance with comfort and nostalgia, promising a delightful autumn-inspired treat that will fill your kitchen with irresistible aromas.

Soft, tender crumbs mingle with sweet, spiced notes that speak to classic homestyle baking.

Each bite carries the essence of freshly picked apples and warming cinnamon.

The recipe blends simple ingredients into a harmonious symphony of flavor and texture.

Moist and light, these muffins offer a perfect companion to morning coffee or an afternoon snack.

Weekends and lazy mornings call for these delectable treats that transform ordinary moments into delicious memories.

Grab a muffin and savor the simple joy of home-baked goodness.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 195 kcal

Servings: 12

Inside Cinnamon Applesauce Muffins: The Ingredients

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the structural base for tender, soft muffins with a delicate crumb.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Crucial leavening agents that help muffins rise and create a light, airy texture.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the muffins.
• Ground Cinnamon: Adds warm, aromatic spice that complements the applesauce perfectly.
• Nutmeg: Optional spice that brings a subtle, complex depth to the muffin's flavor profile.

• Melted Butter: Adds richness and moisture, creating a smooth, tender muffin texture.
• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a golden-brown exterior.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and contribute to the muffins' structure and richness.
• Applesauce: Adds natural sweetness, moisture, and a subtle fruity undertone.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances and rounds out the overall flavor profile of the muffins.

• Granulated Sugar, Ground Cinnamon: Creates a sweet, crispy, and aromatic finishing touch to the warm muffins.
• Melted Butter: Helps the cinnamon sugar topping adhere to the muffin surface.

Must-Have Tools for Muffin Day

• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining dry ingredients with plenty of room to whisk.
• Whisk: Essential for smoothly blending flour and creating lump-free mixtures.
• Muffin tin: 12-cup pan for baking consistent, perfectly shaped muffins.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise tools to get ingredient quantities just right.
• Separate mixing bowl: Needed for whisking wet ingredients separately.
• Toothpick: Crucial for checking if muffins are fully baked.
• Wire cooling rack: Helps muffins cool evenly and prevent soggy bottoms.
• Small bowl: For mixing optional cinnamon sugar topping.
• Pastry brush: Optional tool for applying melted butter on muffin tops.

Baking Cinnamon Applesauce Muffins Like a Champ

• Fire Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 375°F and prep your muffin tin with cozy paper liners or a quick spray of grease.

• Whisk the Dry Team

Grab a big mixing bowl and combine the flour, rising agents, spices, and a pinch of salt into a powdery mix that’ll give your muffins some serious flavor.

• Blend the Wet Ingredients

In another bowl, whisk together melted butter and sugars until smooth. Crack in the eggs, pour in some applesauce, and splash of vanilla for extra yumminess.

• Create the Batter Magic

Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry mixture. Stir just until everything comes together – no need for aggressive mixing that’ll make tough muffins.

• Fill and Bake

Scoop the batter into muffin cups, leaving some room at the top. Slide the pan into the hot oven and bake for about 18-22 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.

• Add the Sparkle Topping

Once baked, brush warm muffins with melted butter and dust with a cinnamon-sugar sprinkle for that irresistible sweet crunch.

Make It Yours: Muffin Twists You’ll Love

• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the muffin batter the night before and refrigerate, allowing flavors to meld overnight for richer taste.
• Gluten-Free Twist: Swap regular flour with a certified gluten-free blend to accommodate wheat-sensitive diets without compromising texture.
• Healthier Swap: Replace half the butter with unsweetened applesauce to reduce fat content while maintaining moisture and tenderness.
• Flavor Adventure: Experiment by adding chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans, or fold in dried cranberries for a delightful flavor and texture boost.
• Freezer-Friendly Hack: Cool muffins completely, then store in airtight containers or freezer bags for up to 3 months, perfect for quick breakfast or snack options.

Presenting Cinnamon Applesauce Muffins Right

• Sweet Morning Companions: Pair these warm muffins with a steamy cup of coffee or chai tea for a delightful breakfast experience.
• Festive Breakfast Spread: Serve alongside crispy bacon, scrambled eggs, or fresh fruit to create a complete morning meal that satisfies everyone at the table.
• Afternoon Tea Treat: These muffins make perfect companions for afternoon tea, offering a sweet and comforting snack that pairs wonderfully with herbal tea or hot chocolate.
• Dessert Transformation: Elevate the muffins by adding a scoop of vanilla ice cream or drizzling with caramel sauce for an indulgent dessert option that transforms the simple muffin into a decadent treat.

Bake-Ahead & Store Cinnamon Muffins Like a Pro

• Quick Counter Storage: Keep muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days, ensuring maximum freshness and soft texture. Cool completely before storing to prevent moisture buildup.
• Refrigeration Strategy: Store muffins in sealed containers inside the refrigerator for up to 5-7 days. Line containers with paper towels to absorb excess moisture and maintain optimal quality.
• Freezing Technique: Wrap individual muffins tightly in plastic wrap, then place inside freezer-safe bags. Freeze for 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30-45 minutes or briefly warm in microwave before serving.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare muffin batter one day in advance and refrigerate overnight. Store unbaked batter in a covered container, then bake fresh in the morning for maximum flavor and texture.

Rustic Cinnamon Applesauce Muffins Recipe

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4.9 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Hearty cinnamon applesauce muffins blend sweet and spicy notes in a comforting morning treat. Warm spices and tender crumb create a delightful breakfast companion you’ll crave with morning coffee.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 cup (240 ml/8 fl oz) unsweetened applesauce
• ½ cup (113 g/4 oz) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
• 2 large eggs
• 1 ¾ cups (220 g/7.8 oz) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (100 g/3.5 oz) granulated sugar
• ¼ cup (50 g/1.8 oz) light brown sugar, packed
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg (optional)
• 2 tbsps granulated sugar (for topping)
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon (for topping)
• 2 tbsps melted butter (for topping)

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Instructions

1. Preheat Setup: Configure oven to 375F (190C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease lightly.
2. Dry Ingredient Fusion: Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, and nutmeg in a large mixing bowl until uniformly combined.
3. Wet Ingredient Harmonization: Blend melted butter with granulated and brown sugars until smooth, then introduce eggs, applesauce, and vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly until completely integrated.
4. Batter Integration: Gently fold liquid mixture into dry ingredients, stirring minimally to maintain a tender muffin consistency, ensuring ingredients are just incorporated without aggressive mixing.
5. Baking Preparation: Evenly distribute batter across muffin cups, filling each approximately two-thirds full to facilitate proper rising during the baking process.
6. Baking Transformation: Place muffin tin in preheated oven and bake for 18-22 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick that emerges clean from the muffin center.
7. Cooling and Finishing: Rest muffins in tin for five minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling; optionally, brush warm muffins with melted butter and sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar mixture for enhanced flavor profile.

Notes

• Prevent Overmixing: Stir batter gently and minimally to keep muffins tender, as aggressive mixing develops gluten and creates tough, dense textures.
• Ingredient Temperature Matters: Use room temperature eggs and applesauce for smoother batter integration and more consistent rising during baking.
• Check Baking Precision: Oven temperatures can vary, so use a toothpick test and watch muffins closely to avoid overbaking, which leads to dry results.
• Customize Dietary Needs: Swap all-purpose flour with gluten-free blend, use alternative sweeteners like maple syrup, or replace eggs with mashed banana for adaptable options.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 176
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 37 mg