These New England inspired Apple Cider Muffins are full of intense texture and flavor that include apple cider, tart apples, Greek yoghurt, and a streusel topping that is the perfect combination of brown sugar, spice, and toasted pecans.
The best part is that the recipe is quick and easy, but will taste like you were baking all day! These Apple Cider Muffins along with these gorgeous caramel rolls are the best of my fall recipes in delicious little packages!
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Apple Cider Muffins Inspiration
Fall is my favorite season. Once I feel the slight chill in the air, I cannot wait for the sound of leaves rustling just before they gracefully descend to the ground. Unfortunately for me, we are in the middle of summer. I don't have the power to change seasons early, but I do have the power to create fall in my kitchen (with the air conditioning on full blast). I was inspired to bake Apple Cider Muffins made with both apples and apple cider for a one-two punch of fall harvest flavor, along with a rich, crumbly streusel to seal the deal.
🥘 Ingredients
- Softened Unsalted Butter
- Granulated Sugar
- Egg
- Greek Yoghurt
- All Purpose Flour
- Baking Powder
- Baking Soda
- Salt
- Apple Cider
- Vanilla Extract
- Diced Tart Apple (like Granny Smith, Fiji, Gala)
- Cold Unsalted Butter
- Dark Brown Sugar
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Allspice
- Ginger
- Toasted Pecans (optional)
Special Equipment
The great thing about this recipe for Apple Cider Muffins is its versatility. You can use your best Kitchen Aid Mixer, hand mixer, or you can make the muffins by hand in a good old fashioned bowl. Just use a proper silicone spatula like I did and you'll be good to go. Have a look at my favorite items below:
KitchenAid Stand Mixer


OXO Good Grips Silicone Spatula
🔪 Instructions to make Apple Cider Muffins
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and line a 12-well muffin tin or two 6-well muffin tins with cooking spray or butter.
- Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt and set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, combine butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add in egg; then, add yogurt and mix until blended.
- Add in the dry ingredients until incorporated.
- Add in the apple cider and vanilla extract just until combined.
- Fold in the diced apples until well distributed.
- Streusel: Mix the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ginger, pecans, and salt. Add the cold butter into the mix and rub together. Add in the flour until the streusel is a crumbly consistency.
- Spoon the batter into the muffin tins until about ¾ full and top with streusel.
- Bake for 22-26 minutes.
- Allow the muffins to cool for 10-15 minutes on a wire rack until releasing from muffin tin.
- Allow to cool completely.
💭Top Tip For The Perfect Apple Cider Muffins
- You can mix the streusel by hand or pulse a few times in a food processor. The processor helps when you are baking these muffins on a summer day and your hands soften the butter too quickly.
FAQ
How to make Apple Cider Muffins vegan
To make a Vegan version of this recipe, use ⅓ cup Canola Oil instead of butter and additional Apple Cider (¾ cup total) instead of an egg.
How to make Apple Cider Muffins gluten free
For gluten free Apple Cider Muffins, replace the All Purpose Flour with a Gluten Free Baking Flour like Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour.
How to make a healthier version of Apple Cider Muffins
To make a healthier version, leave out the streusel topping and replace the butter with canola oil, which will cut both calories and fat. But what fun is that?!
Are these Apple Cider Muffins spicy?
The streusel can be as spiced as you like. This streusel contains cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and ginger. Simply adding cinnamon and sugar will taste amazing, and, if you have issues with nuts, leave the toasted pecans out.
Apple Cider vs. Apple Vinegar
Some Apple Cider Muffins use Apple Cider Vinegar in the recipe. Doing so adds an acidic element that both activates the baking powder and baking soda and creates a soft, airy texture. I use apple cider, which works as an acid, but has a much sweeter taste.
Apple Cider Muffins Recipe
Ingredients
For Muffins
- 8 TBSP softened unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- ⅓ cup greek yoghurt
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup apple cider
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 diced tart apple like Granny Smith, Fiji, Gala
For Streusel
- 2 TBSP cold unsalted butter
- ⅓ cup dark brown sugar
- 1 TBSP cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- ½ tsp allspice
- ¼ tsp ginger
- Pinch salt
- ¼ cup all purpose flour
- ¼ cup toasted pecans optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and line a 12-well muffin tin or two 6-well muffin tins with cooking spray or butter.
- Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt and set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, combine butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add in egg; then, add yoghurt until blended.
- Add in the dry ingredients until incorporated.
- Add in the apple cider and vanilla extract just until combined.
- By hand, fold in the diced apples until well distributed.
- Make streusel: Mix the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ginger, pecans, and salt. Add the cold butter into the mix and rub together. Add in the flour until the streusel is a crumbly consistency.
- Spoon the batter into the muffin tins until about ¾ full and top with streusel.
- Bake for 22-26 minutes.
- Allow the muffins to cool for 10-15 minutes on a wire rack until releasing from muffin tin.
- Allow to cool completely.
Nutrition
More amazing fall recipes
- Easy to make and delicious to eat, Apple Crumble Cake
- Melt-in-your-mouth, sticky Caramel Rolls
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