Cinnamon Apple Spice Muffins

stack of 3 baked apple muffins on top of one another

Deliciously soft and dense, These Cinnamon Apple Spice Muffins are so loaded with fresh apples and tons of Fall spices. Perfect for on the go breakfast, a snack or a dessert!

This post was originally published in September 2019 – I’ve since updated the photos and a few of the paragraphs in the blog post. The European trip that I discuss within this blog post was taken in October 2019!

So, I’m going to let you in on the saddest secret ever. As I write this blog post, it is literally 96 degrees where I live. *cries forever*. 

However, that is NOT stopping me from wearing cardigans inside, painting my nails dark colors and of course, baking allll of the Fall things! This Chai Spiced Coffee Cake is one of my favorites right now! 

Is it bad that I’m looking forward to next week when the high is only 82?! Truly, where I live in NC, it doesn’t really begin to feel like Fall until mid October. Sigh. 

overhead shot of apple muffins

BUT, have I told you guys that Ben and I are going to London and Paris for two weeks in Mid- October? You can bet I’m looking forward to the cooler weather there…not to mention the amazing leaves changing!! I’ve never been to Paris so needless to say, my heart is so happy! 

Anyway, let’s get back to the real star of the show here: Cinnamon Apple Spice Muffins!! 

Why You’ll Love These Muffins: 

I truly think these are the best way to ease into Fall. They’re super delicious, wholesome and loaded with delicious spiced apple flavor. 

I like that these are baked with a combo of whole wheat and all purpose flour – the whole wheat gives it a little more of a nutrition base and adds a nuttiness to it!

The fresh diced apples are paired with delicious applesauce to keep the muffins super moist. 

For spice? Tons of cinnamon, and the crunchiest muffin topping thanks to turbinado sugar! 

They’re not overly sweet, just enough. They are super moist and of course, they are extra buttery thanks to the…well, salted butter! 

What apples should I use? 

For these Cinnamon Apple Spice Muffins, I used gala apples! Aside from honeycrisp, they are my go-to apple. You can also use granny smith apples! I just prefer using a sweeter apple.

Personally, I didn’t peel them. For some reason, growing up, my Mom always told me that the skin on things has the most nutrition (apples, potatoes etc.) so I rarely peel fruits or veggies. Not sure if there is any research behind that or maybe I just want to please my Mom LOL! 

bite taken out of muffin

Another form of apples I used in this recipe to add to the amazing apple flavor is applesauce! I love the unsweetened kind that you can buy in most grocery stores. It makes sure the muffin is super duper moist and it gives it amazing apple flavor. 

The apples combined with the cinnamon and cozy spices all result in the most delectable, warm and perfect Fall muffin! Let’s get into how to make them!

Ingredients You Need:

  • softened salted butter
  • granulated sugar 
  • brown sugar 
  • turbinado sugar 
  • egg 
  • unsweetened applesauce 
  • gala apples 
  • whole wheat and all purpose flour 
  • baking powder and baking soda 
  • cinnamon and nutmeg 

Best Muffin Baking Tips:

Begin by preheating the oven to 375. You wanna make sure it’s hot when you add those muffins in!

Next, grab a large bowl, combine the softened butter + sugars. Beat with a handheld mixer  for 1-2 minutes or until fluffy. Next, add in the egg and beat until combined. 

Time to add in the dry ingredients. You can use a sifter if you want – or you can just add them straight into the dry ingredients. Just be sure to fully combine them and make sure no flour is streaking through it. 

To this, add in applesauce and beat until fluffy. Gently fold in the diced apples just until combined. Your mixture should look something like this: 

apple muffin batter

Next, grease your muffin tin. Fill up the tins ¾ of the way full with the batter. NOTE: I’ve used both a jumbo 6 count muffin tin and a normal 12 count muffin tin and BOTH work well for this recipe. 

Top each muffin with about ½-1 tbsp of turbinado sugar – this ensures that the muffin will have a crunchy top – don’t skip this step! 

before and after muffins baked in pan

Bake those babies up and seriously be happy about how delicious your house smells! 

Enjoy with a schmear of butter, or peanut butter for a hit of protein and a pinch of salt on top! Maybe even a drizzle of honey. 

muffin cut in half smothered in butter

Best with your morning coffee or afternoon tea! Yumm-o! Hope y’all loved this recipe. Can’t wait to continue sharing delicious Fall recipes with you! XO. 

Did you enjoy this recipe? Here are a few more you might like: 

Double Chocolate Banana Muffins 

Vegan Orange Spice Muffins  

Peanut Butter Chocolate Swirl Muffins 

Thank you so much for following along here, friends! Want to see more? Be sure to follow ourbalancedbowl on Instagram and tag me with your photo if you end up making a recipe! You can also post a photo of your recipe to the Our Balanced Bowl Facebook page! Like a recipe that you saw? Follow me on Pinterest here! I always love to see your re-creations! If you do make a recipe, it would make my whole day if you were to rate and comment so I can get your feedback! Lots of love! – Haylie

5 from 4 votes
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Cinnamon Apple Spice Muffins

Deliciously soft and dense, These Cinnamon Apple Spice Muffins are so loaded with fresh apples and tons of Fall spices. Perfect for on the go breakfast, a snack or a dessert!

Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Keyword apple spice muffins, cinnamon apple spice muffins
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Cool Time 5 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 6 people
Author Haylie

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup softened salted butter (1 stick)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar
  • 6 tbsp turbinado sugar
  • 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1/2 cup all purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tbsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg
  • 2 cups chopped gala apples (into small pieces)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375. Grease your muffin tin and set aside.

  2. In a large mixing bowl, using a handheld mixer, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar together until light and fluffy - about 1-2 minutes. Add 1 egg and mix until combined.

  3. Using a sifter (or a bowl and mix the ingredients separately), sift the whole wheat flour, all purpose flour, baking powder and baking soda along with the cinnamon and nutmeg. Use the handheld mixture to combine the wet and dry ingredients.

  4. Next, add in the unsweetened applesauce. Mix with handheld mixer until combined. Lastly, gently fold in the gala apples just until combined.

  5. Add the batter to the muffin cups until they are about 3/4 of the way full (SEE NOTES FOR MUFFIN TIN RECOMMENDATIONS!)

  6. Top each muffin with 1 tbsp of turbinado sugar. Bake for 25-27 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

  7. Let them cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes and then remove them gently to a wire rack. Enjoy with a schmear of butter or peanut butter! YUM!

Recipe Notes

I used a 6 count JUMBO muffin tin for this recipe. It will also work if you use a 12 count muffin tin - just adjust filling the muffin tins accordingly as well as drizzling on the turbinado sugar! 

9 comments / Add your comment below

  1. 5 stars
    Haylie, I hope you have a wonderful time in Paris! So much fun! These muffins are so amazing! Love the chunks of apples inside and the crispy, sugary topping! Your nail color goes perfectly – it looks like a beautiful candy apple!

    1. Thanks so much, Kelly!! I actually just had my nails done for my brothers wedding so it was perfect to shoot with! Maybe I should have them done more often, LOL! 🙂

  2. 5 stars
    Oh my gosh! London and Paris in the fall sounds incredible. My hubby and I went to London in spring a few years ago, and it was one of our best vacations ever! You guys are going to have such a great time. As for these muffins, I can almost smell them baking in my kitchen. We’re having cooler temps now and I’m totally into all things cozy and fall. Hope it cools down for you soon!

    1. Thank you so much, Leanne!! Oh we are just so excited to go we can hardly stand it! Also getting pretty nervous too – haha! So glad you’re experiencing those cooler Fall temps! I hope we will soon!!

  3. 5 stars
    Goodness! I just want to pluck one right off the screen to go with my afternoon tea! These are lovely! Speaking of lovely…Europe in autumn!! YES! Have a gorgeous time, my friend! We went to Paris last November, and it was still such pretty autumn weather!

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