Description
Apple Fritter Muffins combine the warm spices of cinnamon and nutmeg with juicy diced apples for a deliciously moist and flavorful treat. These easy-to-make muffins feature a tender crumb and optional crunchy pecans or walnuts for added texture. Perfect for breakfast, snack, or dessert, they are baked to golden perfection and can be dusted with powdered sugar for an extra touch of sweetness.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Sugars
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup packed light brown sugar
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup buttermilk
- â…“ cup vegetable oil
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Additional Ingredients
- 2 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp recommended), peeled, cored, and diced into ½-inch pieces
- ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
- Vegetable oil spray for muffin tins
- Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease it generously with vegetable oil spray to prevent sticking.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg until the mixture is smooth and evenly blended.
- Mix Sugars: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar and light brown sugar, breaking up any lumps, to combine thoroughly.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In another large bowl, whisk the buttermilk, vegetable oil, egg, and vanilla extract together until fully incorporated and smooth.
- Mix Wet and Dry: Gently fold the wet ingredient mixture into the dry ingredients until just combined. Take care not to overmix to maintain a tender texture.
- Add Apples and Nuts: Carefully fold in the diced apples and optional chopped pecans or walnuts, ensuring even distribution without overworking the batter.
- Fill Muffin Cups: Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin cups, filling each about ¾ full to allow room for rising during baking.
- Bake Muffins: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes. Test doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of a muffin; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool Muffins: Remove the muffin tin from the oven and let the muffins cool in the tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Optional Finishing Touch: Once cooled, dust the muffins lightly with powdered sugar if desired. Serve warm, possibly accompanied by vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for an indulgent treat.
Notes
- Use Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples for the best flavor and texture.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep muffins tender and moist.
- Adding nuts is optional but adds a nice crunch.
- Powdered sugar dusting enhances presentation but is optional.
- Serve warm for best taste, optionally with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
- Ensure the muffin tin is well greased or lined to prevent sticking.
