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Gooey Caramel Apple Muffins

Gooey Caramel Apple Muffins
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Gooey Caramel Apple Muffins are soft, warmly spiced treats featuring tender apples and pockets of rich caramel in every bite. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a cozy snack, these muffins blend a moist crumb with a comforting aroma of cinnamon and baked apples, delivering indulgence made with simple pantry staples.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free 1-to-1 blend)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (or dairy-free alternative like coconut oil)
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 2 large eggs (or flax eggs for vegan)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup milk or buttermilk (or plant-based milk for dairy-free)

Mix-ins

  • 1 1/2 cups diced fresh apples (preferably Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
  • 1/2 cup caramel sauce or caramel bits

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Apples and Caramel: Dice fresh apples into small even pieces to ensure they cook evenly inside the muffins. If using caramel bits, chop if needed or have your caramel sauce ready to swirl into the batter.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, sift together all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. This prevents clumping and distributes leavening evenly.
  3. Cream Butter and Sugars: Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, cream softened butter with granulated and brown sugars until light and fluffy, which helps create tender muffins.
  4. Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla extract. Gradually add milk or buttermilk while mixing to keep the batter smooth and moist.
  5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Fold the dry ingredients gently into the wet mixture just until combined to avoid overmixing. Then fold in diced apples and caramel bits or drizzle caramel sauce through the batter evenly.
  6. Fill Muffin Cups and Bake: Divide the batter evenly into greased or lined muffin tins, filling each about three-quarters full. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20–25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out with a few moist crumbs and some caramel stickiness.

Notes

  • Use tart apples like Granny Smith to balance sweetness.
  • Do not overmix the batter to keep muffins light and fluffy.
  • Use softened butter for better creaming with sugar.
  • Fold caramel bits in last to preserve gooey texture.
  • Expect a bit of caramel stickiness on toothpick for perfect gooey center.

Nutrition

Keywords: caramel apple muffins, gooey muffins, apple cinnamon muffins, caramel dessert, fall muffins, gluten free option

Find it online: https://tastebudtrek.com/gooey-caramel-apple-muffins/