This apple cinnamon muffins recipe is so fluffy and moist, with a crunchy cinnamon sugar topping. A total family favorite!

Here’s a muffin recipe that’s the best cozy baking project: apple cinnamon muffins! These are so delicious everyone will beg for the recipe. Each one has a fluffy, tender crumb, with just the right amount of sweet tart bursts of apples. The best part? Sprinkling with cinnamon sugar before and after baking makes a crunchy, warm spiced topping. You won’t believe how tasty these are!

Ingredients in apple cinnamon muffins

Apples and cinnamon are the best combination, like in oatmeal or apple crisp. So why not translate that into muffin form? These little cakes taste like you picked them up at a local bakery. They’re tall, delicately sweet, and have the best crunchy cinnamon sugar topping. Here are the ingredients you’ll need:

1. All-purpose flour
2. Granulated sugar
3. Baking powder, baking soda, and salt
4. Buttermilk
5. Butter
6. Neutral oil
7. Eggs
8. Vanilla
9. Cinnamon

Best types of apples for baking

The best type of apples for baking? Bake with a firm, crisp tart apple. Crisp tart apples hold up well texture-wise, and their tangy tartness accents the sweetness of baked goods. Here are some of the best apples for baking and cooking. You can use other types too, but the flavor of these types have the best flavor:

1. Pink Lady
2. Jonathon or Jonagold
3. Granny Smith
4. Fuji

The keys to apple cinnamon muffins

These apple cinnamon muffins are so full of flavor, you’ll make them a fall baking staple! (They are in our house.) There are a few keys to the flavor and achieving an even bake. Here’s what to keep in mind:

• Use real buttermilk (no substitutes!). Buttermilk is crucial to making a fluffy muffin with a tender crumb. We’ve tried all sorts of muffin recipes and buttermilk is truly the best! Don’t be tempted to use even a buttermilk substitute here! It’s got to be the real thing.
• For an even bake, fill every other cup in two 12-cup muffin tins. Here’s a key to even baking for muffins: fill every other cup in a tin! This helps them to have beautiful domed tops and an even bake. It’s not required, but helpful for perfect muffins.
• Baking at 375°F makes a taller muffin. Many muffin recipes bake at 350°F, but a slightly hotter oven makes a taller and fluffier muffin. This recipe also has a large amount of leavener (baking powder and baking soda) for a good rise.

Storage info

Apple cinnamon muffins taste best the day of baking, but they save well too! You’ll want to keep them refrigerated because of the crunchy topping and the moisture in the apples, which can make them soggy if stored at room temperature. Here’s what to know:

• Refrigerator: Store refrigerated for up to 1 week! Let them stand at room temperature for a few minutes before eating.
• Freeze: Freeze in a sealable container and store up to 3 months.