Description
Homemade Caramel Apple Delight Muffins with Walnut Crunch deliver autumn’s sweetest comfort in one delectable bite. Warm spices, tender apples, and crunchy walnuts create a nostalgic treat you’ll savor with pure seasonal happiness.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups diced apples (peeled and cored)
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
Sweeteners and Binding Ingredients:
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Spices and Dry Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup chopped walnuts
- Caramel sauce for drizzling
Instructions
- Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350°F and preparing a muffin tin with protective paper liners or a light cooking spray coating.
- Combine the dry ingredients – flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon – in a medium mixing vessel, whisking thoroughly to ensure even distribution.
- In a separate larger bowl, cream together softened butter with granulated and brown sugars using an electric mixer until the mixture becomes airy and pale.
- Incorporate eggs individually into the sugar-butter mixture, blending completely after each addition, then introduce vanilla extract for enhanced flavor complexity.
- Gradually integrate the dry flour mixture into the wet ingredients, alternating with buttermilk to create a smooth, consistent batter. Mix minimally to prevent tough texture.
- Delicately fold chopped apples and walnuts into the batter, distributing ingredients evenly without excessive stirring.
- Portion the batter into muffin cups, filling each approximately two-thirds full to allow proper rising during baking.
- Slide the muffin tin into the preheated oven and bake for 18-22 minutes, monitoring doneness by inserting a toothpick that should emerge clean when removed.
- Rest muffins in the tin for five minutes to stabilize their structure, then transfer to a cooling rack.
- Once completely cooled, embellish the muffins with a luxurious caramel sauce drizzle, creating an indulgent finishing touch.
Notes
- Prep Tip: Dice apples into small, uniform chunks to ensure even distribution and prevent sinking to the bottom of the muffins.
- Mixing Technique: Cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy to create a tender, soft muffin texture that melts in your mouth.
- Ingredient Swap: Substitute buttermilk with Greek yogurt or sour cream for a tangy twist and extra moisture.
- Nutty Crunch: Toast walnuts briefly before adding to enhance their rich, toasted flavor and add extra depth to the muffins.
- Storage Hack: Keep muffins fresh by storing in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for longer preservation.
- Serving Suggestion: Warm muffins slightly before serving and pair with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert experience.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 16 g
- Sodium: 170 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg