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Apple Cider Muffins

These Apple Cider Muffins are a moist, fluffy breakfast treat that is perfect for fall mornings. The crunchy cinnamon sugar topping makes them simply irresistible. 

With ingredients like apple cider and cinnamon, these muffins are bursting with fall flavors. They are fantastic on their own, but then when you dip the muffin tops in melted butter and cinnamon sugar? Perfection!

Enjoy them with a cup of hot coffee or warm apple cider and you’ve got the recipe for a lovely fall morning. Another great fall breakfast treat to try are these apple cider donuts!

Apple Cider Muffins stacked together on wire rack.

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Why You Will Love These Apple Cider Muffins

  • They’re quick - In less than 30 minutes you can have the batter made, the muffins baked, and all that deliciousness coming out of the oven. 
  • The fall flavors - The best part of the fall is all the warm flavors and smells and this recipe is no exception. 
  • They are moist - These muffins are loaded with everything you need to keep your muffins moist like reduced apple cider, butter, egg, and milk. 

What To Serve With Muffins

These apple cider muffins are perfect for breakfast or as a quick snack. For a quick breakfast they are easy to grab and go with your morning cup of coffee.

For a weekend brunch I like to serve them as a side to these Farmhouse Loaded Egg Muffin Cups or this Meaty Breakfast Casserole.

As an afternoon snack they are delicious served with this copycat Starbucks Caramel Apple Spice or with a tall glass of milk.

Apple cider Muffins in muffin liners cooling on wire rack.

Fall is apple season which is a favorite at our house! It kicks off baking season and these apple cider muffins are the perfect recipe to make first. Another delicious choice for a special weekend treat are these Apple Cinnamon Rolls.

Ingredient Notes

See printable recipe card below for all ingredients, specific measurements, and complete instructions.

Ingredients to make apple cider muffins set out on counter.
  • Apple Cider - This will infuse the muffins with a warm apple flavor.
  • Flour - Flour gives the muffins their structure.
  • Sugar - This will sweeten the muffins and create the cinnamon sugar topping.
  • Baking Powder - Baking powder ensures that the muffins rise.
  • Cinnamon - Cinnamon goes in the topping to give it a warm fall spice.
  • Salt - To bring out all the flavors.
  • Eggs - This helps the muffins hold their structure and adds moistness. 
  • Milk - Keeps the muffins moist.
  • Vanilla - Adds an extra layer of flavor to the apple cider muffins.
  • Butter - This will go in the muffins and they will be dipped in melted butter before the cinnamon sugar topping goes on. 

How To Make Apple Cider Muffins

Apple cider in small saucepan.
Flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in mixing glass bowl.

Bring apple cider to a simmer in a saucepan and then let cider cool. Once cider is cooled Preheat oven to 350ºF.

Egg added to flour mixture in mixing bowl.
Apple cider, milk, vanilla and melted butter added to dry ingredients in mixing bowl.

You will need a large mixing bowl to combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Then make a well in the center of flour mixture and add the egg. Whisk the egg to break it up, but don’t mix it into the batter yet.

Next add the cider, milk, vanilla, and melted butter and stir all ingredients together just until mixed. Don't overmix batter.

Apple cider muffin batter in liners in muffin pan.
Baked apple cider Muffins in muffin pan.

Spoon the batter into 12 lined or greased muffin cups. Bake for 16 to 18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack.

To make topping mix the cinnamon and sugar together in a shallow dish. Dip the tops of the muffins in melted butter, then cinnamon sugar, and serve.

Apple cider Muffins cooling on wire rack.

Storing and Freezing

Room Temperature - Store in a single layer in a airtight container or in a Ziploc bag. Add a paper towel to soak up in extra moisture. Best eating within 2 to 3 days.

Refrigerator - For longer storage you can store the muffins in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. However, storing in the refrigerator can dry out baked goods.

Freezer - Apple cider muffins can be stored in a large freezer bag and frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before serving and heat them in the microwave.

Substitutions and/or Variations

  • For extra flavor you can add apple pie spice to your apple cider muffins. You can make your own apple pie spice with cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg. 
  • Instead of the cinnamon sugar topping, try a simple cinnamon glaze! Combine powdered sugar, cinnamon, and milk or cream and whisk.

Recipe Tips For Best Muffins

  • Reducing the apple cider provides concentrated flavor without adding extra liquid to the batter. Don't skip this step!
  • I like using coarse sugar to top these muffins, but regular granulated sugar is fine.
  • Don't overbake the muffins or they will be dry. Baking time is between 16 to 18 minutes. Set timer for 16 minutes and check with a toothpick. If additional time is needed bake for 2 more minutes and then recheck.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between apple cider and apple juice?

Apple cider is made of fresh-pressed apples. It is unfiltered and doesn’t have any added sugar. Apple juice is is filtered and has a smooth texture and sweeter taste.

Can I substitute apple juice for the apple cider?

You can in a pinch, but try to find unsweetened apple juice since this will have the closest flavor to apple cider. However, using reduced apple cider produces the best tasting muffins.

Apple cider Muffins on wire cooling rack.

If you need more delicious muffin recipes here are a few favorite to try!

Your family will go wild for the fall flavors of these Apple Cider Muffins and you’ll love how easy they are to make! I can’t wait to hear what you think about this recipe. 

If you try it, be sure to come back here to rate the recipe and leave a comment. 

Apple Cider Muffins stacked together on wire rack.

Apple Cider Muffins

Author: Judy Wilson
These Apple Cider Muffins are a moist, fluffy breakfast treat that is perfect for fall mornings. The crunchy cinnamon sugar topping makes them simply irresistible. 
Prep Time 12 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 206 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • cups apple cider
  • cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ cup butter
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • cup milk

Topping Ingredients

  • ½ cup coarse sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon cinnamon
  • 2 Tablespoons butter

Instructions
 

  • Pour apple cider into a saucepan, and bring to a simmer. Simmer until cider is reduced to ⅔ cup. Then remove from what and let cider cool.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 12-cup standard muffin tin with liners.
  • In a larger mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
  • Melt butter just until melted - but not hot (if it does get hot, let it cool).
  • Make a well in the center of flour mixture and add egg. Whisk the egg to break it up, but don’t mix it into the batter yet.
  • Add in cider, milk, vanilla, and butter. Then stir all ingredients together just until combined. Don't overmix.
  • Spoon batter into 12 paper-lined (or greased) muffin cups.
  • Bake for 16 to 18 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  • Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack.
  • In shallow dish mix cinnamon and coarse sugar together. Then melt the butter.
  • Dip or brush muffins with melted butter, and then cinnamon sugar.
  • Serve and enjoy!

Notes

Storing and Freezing
To store at room temperature place muffins in a single layer in a airtight container or in a Ziploc bag. Add a paper towel to soak up in extra moisture. Consume within 2 to 3 days.
For longer storage you can store the muffins in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. However, storing in the refrigerator can dry out baked goods.
To freeze muffins place them in a large freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before serving and heat them in the microwave.

Nutrition

Calories: 206kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 2gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 140mgPotassium: 87mgFiber: 1gSugar: 22gVitamin A: 210IUVitamin C: 0.5mgCalcium: 45mgIron: 1mg
The nutritional information provided is approximate and should only be used as a general guideline. It is an estimate that will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
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