Description
This caramel apple muffins recipe creates the most incredible gooey, tender muffins with molten caramel centers that will make your kitchen smell like autumn heaven. Our best caramel apple muffins recipe combines the perfect balance of sweet caramelized apples, rich buttermilk crumb, and surprise gooey caramel centers in every bite. Whether you’re searching for an easy caramel apple muffins recipe for weekend baking or want to master the homemade caramel apple muffins recipe that rivals any bakery, this foolproof guide delivers exceptional results every time.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (or use gluten-free flour blend for dietary needs)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (essential spice for caramel apple muffins)
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 cup buttermilk (or substitute with regular milk + 1 tablespoon lemon juice)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups Granny Smith apples, peeled and diced (best apples for caramel apple muffins)
- 12 soft caramel candies, unwrapped
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1/4 cup caramel sauce (optional, for drizzling)
- Pinch of sea salt (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- Prepare Your Kitchen: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or generously grease with butter. Allow all refrigerated ingredients to come to room temperature for optimal mixing.
- Create Gooey Caramel Centers: In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine unwrapped caramel candies with heavy cream. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until smooth and gooey caramel consistency. Set aside to cool slightly.
- Prepare Apple Mixture: Peel and dice Granny Smith apples into small, uniform pieces (about 1/4-inch cubes). Toss diced apples with 2 tablespoons of flour to prevent sinking during baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together remaining flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well combined.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together melted butter, egg, buttermilk, and vanilla extract until smooth. The buttermilk creates incredibly moist buttermilk muffins.
- Create Perfect Batter: Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and gently fold together using a rubber spatula. Mix just until combined – overmixing results in tough muffins. Fold in flour-coated apple pieces.
- Assemble Muffins: Fill each muffin cup about 1/3 full with batter. Add 1 teaspoon of gooey caramel mixture to center of each cup, then top with remaining batter until cups are 2/3 full.
- Bake to Golden Perfection: Bake for 18-22 minutes, until tops are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into muffin part (avoiding caramel center) comes out clean. For extra crispy tops, bake 2-3 minutes longer.
- Cool and Serve: Cool in pan for 5 minutes before transferring to wire rack. Let cool at least 10 minutes before serving (caramel centers will be extremely hot). Drizzle with additional caramel sauce and sea salt if desired.
Notes
Storage Tips: Store in airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to 1 week. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheating: Microwave for 15-20 seconds or warm in 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes to restore gooey caramel centers.
Pro Tips: Use room temperature ingredients for best mixing. Don’t overmix batter. Let caramel mixture cool slightly before adding to prevent it being too runny.
Substitutions: Gluten-free flour works 1:1. Create buttermilk substitute with 1 cup milk + 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Honeycrisp or Braeburn apples work as apple alternatives.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 22
- Category: Dessert, Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 muffin
- Calories: 285
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: caramel apple muffins recipe, gooey caramel muffins, buttermilk muffins recipe, fall baking recipes, homemade muffins, easy muffin recipe, caramel apple dessert, autumn treats, breakfast muffins