Apple Muffins
I made these apple muffins one afternoon when I was in the mood for something simple, with ingredients on hand. Apples and cinnamon always go well together, and if you have a large apple at home, that's pretty much all you need for this recipe. I didn't take the time to arrange everything perfectly for photos, but the result is definitely worth trying just as it is.
Quick Info
Total time: about 50-60 minutes
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Baking time: 25-35 minutes (depending on the oven)
Servings: 8-10 muffins, depending on the size of the pan
Difficulty: easy
Recipe type: quick dessert, homemade muffins
Ingredients
2 eggs
2 tablespoons milk
200 g flour
1 tablespoon oil
1 large apple
a pinch of cinnamon
1/2 packet baking powder (about 5 g)
100 g sugar
1-2 tablespoons butter
250 ml liquid cream for decoration
red food coloring (optional, just for the cream)
a few apple slices for decoration
Instructions
1. Crack the eggs into a large bowl. Add the sugar and whisk them with a whisk or mixer until they become a light-colored foam, about 2-3 minutes if using a mixer.
2. Add the milk and oil to the mixture and whisk briefly until combined.
3. Sift in the flour along with the baking powder and add the cinnamon. Mix until there are no lumps, but don’t overdo it.
4. Peel the apple and cut it into reasonably sized cubes, not too small. In a small pan, melt the butter, then add the apples and 1-2 tablespoons of sugar. Keep on low heat, stirring occasionally, just until they soften slightly and take on a sweeter flavor.
5. Let the apples cool for a few minutes, then add them to the batter. Gently fold in with a spatula so you don’t crush the apples.
6. Prepare the muffin tin: place special baking papers in each cup (or grease them with a little oil if you don’t have any). Divide the batter among the cups, filling them without completely filling them – leave room for rising.
7. Place the tin in the preheated oven at 180°C. After about 15-20 minutes (or when you see they’ve risen halfway), take the tin out of the oven and place two thin apple slices on top of each muffin. Put them back in to bake until they are nicely browned, a total of about 25-35 minutes depending on the oven.
8. Check if they are done with a toothpick: if it comes out clean, they are ready. Let the muffins cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a rack or a plate.
9. For decoration, whip the cream until it thickens. If you want a more colorful look, add red food coloring to taste. Decorate the completely cooled muffins with cream using a piping bag or a spoon.
Why I Make This Recipe Often
I love that it doesn’t involve complicated ingredients and doesn’t require planning ahead. The apples stay soft, and the cinnamon enhances the flavor. It’s one of those recipes I turn to when I want something quick without complicating the kitchen.
Tips and Variations
Tips
- Use firmer apples, not too juicy, to avoid a wet batter.
- Don’t overmix when incorporating the apples to prevent them from breaking down.
- If you don’t have muffin tins, you can bake the batter in a small loaf pan lined with baking paper.
Substitutions
- The whipped cream can be omitted or you can use plain full-fat yogurt without coloring.
- If you don’t have butter, you can sauté the apples in oil, but butter gives them a nicer flavor.
- For a more intense flavor, you can add a bit of vanilla to the batter.
Variations
- You can add chopped nuts or raisins to the batter for a different texture.
- The apples can be cut smaller or grated, but cubed apples hold their texture better.
- If you don’t want cream decoration, you can dust them with powdered sugar.
Serving Ideas
They are good plain, warm, or cold. If you have fresh cream, decorate them just before serving. They also go well with coffee for breakfast or as a dessert after lunch.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use grated apples instead of cubes?
Yes, but the batter will be wetter and the final texture will differ slightly. If you choose to grate them, drain them lightly before sautéing in butter.
2. Can it be made without cream and food coloring?
Yes, the decoration part is optional. You can skip the cream or just use powdered sugar.
3. What do I do if I don’t have special muffin papers?
You can grease the cups with oil or butter and pour the batter directly. The muffins can be easily removed with a spatula.
4. Can I replace white flour with whole wheat flour?
Yes, but the muffins will be a bit denser. I recommend using half whole wheat flour and half white flour if you want a lighter texture.
5. How sweet are the muffins?
The sweetness is moderate. If you want them sweeter, add an extra 20-30 g of sugar to the batter.
Nutritional Values
Approximately, one muffin (without cream) has about 160-180 kcal, which includes:
- Protein: 3-4 g
- Carbohydrates: 28-30 g
- Fats: 4-5 g
With cream, the calories increase depending on how much you use for decoration. These values are approximate and may vary based on the size of the muffin and the exact ingredients.
Storage and Reheating
They store well for a day or two at room temperature, covered. The cream should only be added at serving, as otherwise the muffin base will become soggy. If you have leftover un-decorated muffins, you can keep them in a sealed container for up to 3 days, but they are best within the first 24 hours. Freezing with cream is not recommended.
Mix the sugar with the eggs until it becomes frothy, then add the milk, oil, and mix well. Add the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and baking powder. Incorporate everything well, then peel the apple, cut it into cubes, and sauté it in butter with 1-2 tablespoons of sugar. Add the apples to the mixture, place baking paper in a muffin tin, then pour in the mixture little by little and bake. When they are halfway baked, add 2 slices of apple on top and bake again until golden brown. Do the toothpick test. Whip the cream, add red food coloring, and decorate with a piping bag. Enjoy your meal!
Ingredients: 2 eggs, 2 tablespoons of milk, 200 grams of flour, 1 tablespoon of oil, 1 large apple, a pinch of cinnamon, 1/2 packet of baking powder, 100 grams of sugar, 1-2 tablespoons of butter, 250 ml of whipped cream for decoration, red food coloring, a few slices of apple.
