Description
These Gooey Caramel Apple Muffins are a delightful treat combining tender, spiced apple-studded batter with pockets of melted caramel and a crunchy cinnamon crumble topping. Perfect for breakfast or dessert, these muffins balance sweet and cozy flavors with a gooey surprise inside.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Muffins:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 2 medium apples, peeled and diced
- 10-12 soft caramel candies, cut into small pieces
For the Crumble Topping:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Tin: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or spray generously with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well combined. Set this mixture aside for later use.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk the melted butter and brown sugar until smooth and blended. Add the eggs one at a time along with the vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined, then stir in the buttermilk to create a creamy batter base.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients and Apples: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, mixing gently until just combined to avoid overmixing. Carefully fold in the diced apples to evenly distribute them throughout the batter.
- Assemble Muffins with Caramel: Spoon the batter into each muffin cup until half full. Press several pieces of caramel candies into the center of each muffin cup, then cover with additional batter, filling nearly to the top.
- Prepare Crumble Topping: In a small bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cut in the cold cubed butter using a fork or pastry cutter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle this crumble evenly over the tops of each muffin.
- Bake Muffins: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 18 to 22 minutes. Test doneness with a toothpick inserted into the center, avoiding the caramel; it should come out clean when the muffins are done.
- Cool Muffins: Allow the muffins to cool in the tin for 5 minutes to set, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving to enjoy the gooey caramel centers at their best.
Notes
- Use soft caramel candies for best melting results inside the muffins.
- Make sure not to overmix the batter to keep muffins light and fluffy.
- Apples can be substituted with pears or other firm fruit if preferred.
- The crumble topping adds texture and sweetness—don’t skip it!
- For easier peeling of apples, use a vegetable peeler.
