Caramel Apple Muffins
These bakery-style Caramel Apple Muffins are packed with juicy apple chunks and a rich caramel flavor, making them the perfect fall treat! Moist, fluffy, and generously topped with a drizzle of caramel sauce, these muffins are perfect for breakfast or an afternoon snack. 🍏🍎
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Looking for the perfect fall muffin recipe that combines the warmth of cinnamon, the freshness of apples, and a delightful surprise of caramel? These Caramel Apple Muffins are your answer!
They’re spiced to perfection and have a hidden caramel candy inside. Top them off with a rich caramel drizzle, and you’ve got the ultimate cozy treat for any time of day. 🍎
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3 Reasons You'll Love This Recipe
A Gooey Caramel Surprise – These muffins are more than just your average apple muffins. With a caramel candy stuffed in the center, each bite has a sweet, molten surprise that pairs perfectly with the tender apples and cinnamon flavor.
Perfect for Fall – The combination of apples, cinnamon, and caramel makes these muffins taste like autumn in every bite. They're ideal for cozy mornings, gatherings, or just as a sweet treat to enjoy with a warm drink.
Super Easy Caramel Drizzle – The simple microwave caramel drizzle takes these muffins to the next level, adding a glossy finish that looks (and tastes) like something from a bakery.
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How to Make Easy Caramel Apple Muffins
One of the best things about this Caramel Apple Muffins recipe (and muffins in general) is that you don't need any fancy equipment like a stand mixer or an electric hand mixer!
All you need are a couple of mixing bowls, a whisk, and a spatula, making this recipe incredibly easy to whip up with minimal cleanup.
It's one of the reasons I love baking muffins—they're simple, fuss-free, and always delicious!
Here’s What You’ll Need:
12-cup muffin tin: This recipe makes 12 generously sized muffins.
Muffin liners or cooking spray: Use liners to prevent sticking or grease the tin well if you prefer not to use liners.
Mixing bowls: One large for dry ingredients and one medium for the wet ingredients.
Whisk: To mix the wet ingredients smoothly.
Spatula: For gently folding the wet and dry ingredients together without overmixing.
Microwave-safe bowl: For melting the caramel candies with cream to make the easy caramel drizzle.
My prepped dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
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Step-by-Step Instructions:
Prep the Apples & Caramel Candies:
Peel and dice 2 medium apples into small chunks and set them aside.
For the perfect balance of tart and sweet, I like to use one Granny Smith apple and one Honeycrisp apple. It gives the muffins a wonderful flavor contrast that pairs beautifully with the caramel and spices!
Unwrap 12 soft caramel candies (one for each muffin) and set aside.
Stuffing the muffins are optional, so you could totally skip this step. BUT if you do decide you want a caramel kick I like using Kraft Individually Wrapped Candy Caramels.
Preheat & Prep:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Line a 12-cup muffin tin with large muffin liners or grease the tin well.
I love using tulip liners when making my muffins because it gives them that bakery-style feel.
TOP: After whisking the melted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth. BOTTOM: After adding the eggs.
TOP: After stirring in the vanilla extract & milk until fully combined. BOTTOM: After gradually folding in the wet ingredients and the diced apples.
Make the Muffin Batter:
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth.
Add the eggs, one at a time, whisking well after each addition.
Stir in the vanilla extract and milk (or buttermilk) until fully combined.
Using a spatula, gradually fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, being careful not to overmix. Gently fold in the diced apples.
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Fill, Stuff, & Bake:
Fill each muffin cup halfway with the batter.
Place one caramel candy in the center of each muffin cup (if using), then cover with more batter, filling the cups almost to the top.
Bake for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the muffin (avoiding the caramel center) comes out clean and the tops are golden brown.
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Make the Caramel Drizzle:
In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the 10 caramel candies and 2 tablespoons heavy cream.
Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between each interval, until the caramel is fully melted and smooth. This should take about 1-2 minutes total.
Let the caramel cool slightly so it thickens before drizzling over the muffins.
Drizzle & Serve:
Once the muffins are baked, allow them to cool in the pan for about 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Drizzle the caramel sauce over each muffin for an extra layer of indulgence.
Enjoy your decadent Caramel Apple Muffins with a gooey caramel surprise inside!🍏🍎
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How to Store Your Caramel Apple Muffins
To keep your muffins fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
If you’d like them to last a little longer, store them in the fridge for up to 5 days. Just make sure to let them come to room temperature or give them a quick zap in the microwave before serving for that warm, just-baked feel!
How Long These Muffins Last
At room temperature, these muffins are best enjoyed within 2-3 days to ensure maximum freshness and softness. If stored in the fridge, they'll last up to 5 days.
To freeze, wrap them individually in plastic wrap and store them in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. When ready to eat, thaw them at room temperature or pop them in the microwave for a few seconds.
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Ingredient Substitutions & Variations
Milk Options: If you don’t have whole milk, you can substitute buttermilk, which adds a nice tang and tenderness. Dairy-free? Use almond milk or oat milk, though the texture might be slightly less rich.
Apples: Granny Smith and Honeycrisp work beautifully, but feel free to swap in Fuji or Pink Lady for a sweeter touch.
Caramel Candy Alternatives: If you don’t have caramel candies, try using caramel chips or even a square of chocolate in the center for a different, yet delicious twist.
Add-Ins: Want to switch things up? Throw in some chopped nuts (like pecans or walnuts) for added crunch or a sprinkle of oats on top before baking for a rustic feel.
FAQs for the Perfect Caramel Apple Muffins
Q: Can I use pre-made caramel sauce instead of melting candies for the drizzle?
A: Absolutely! If you have store-bought caramel sauce on hand, feel free to use that instead of making the drizzle. Just warm it up slightly to make it easier to drizzle over the muffins.
Q: Can I skip the caramel candy in the center?
A: Yes, if you prefer a classic apple muffin, you can skip the caramel stuffing. The muffins will still be delicious, especially with the caramel drizzle on top.
Q: What’s the best way to dice the apples for this recipe?
A: Peel and dice the apples into small chunks, about 1/4 inch in size. This allows them to soften and blend into the batter without sinking to the bottom.
Q: Why is my caramel drizzle too thin or too thick?
A: If your drizzle is too thin, let it cool for a few extra minutes. If it’s too thick, pop it back in the microwave for a few seconds to loosen it up. Consistency can vary based on the type of caramel candies you use, but a little tweaking should fix it!
Q: Can I make these muffins ahead of time?
A: Yes, these muffins are great for making ahead. You can bake them and store them in the freezer. Just add the caramel drizzle right before serving for the best texture.
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Tips & Tricks for the Best Caramel Apple Muffins
Don't Overmix the Batter: Overmixing the muffin batter can result in dense muffins. Once you add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, gently fold them together just until no streaks of flour remain.
Room Temperature Eggs: Make sure your eggs are at room temperature for a smoother batter and better rise.
Cool Before Drizzling: Let the muffins cool slightly before adding the caramel drizzle so it doesn’t completely run off the tops. A little patience goes a long way!
Caramel Candy Tip: If you're worried about the caramel candies sticking to the muffin tin, try rolling the candies in a bit of flour before stuffing them into the batter. This helps prevent the caramel from sinking too far down or sticking.
Let’s Get Baking!
There you have it, the ultimate Caramel Apple Muffin recipe that’s perfect for fall! These muffins are simple enough for a weekday bake but impressive enough for weekend brunch or a special treat.
The soft apple chunks, warm spices, and gooey caramel center make each bite pure autumn bliss.
If you give these muffins a try, let me know in the comments! I'd love to hear how they turned out for you, or any fun twists you added. Don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter for more sweet recipes like this, and feel free to share this recipe with your friends and family on social media! Your support means everything to me.
Stay Sweet, Xoxo Chyna B 🍏🍎😋
More Apple Goodies you’ll enjoy:
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WATCH THE RECIPE VIDEO!
Watch how it’s made on YouTube!
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