Bakery-Style Apple Cider Muffins

🍎 Soft & Fluffy Apple Cider Muffins

Warmly spiced and finished with a sweet cinnamon-sugar coating, these apple cider muffins taste like fall in every bite. Moist, tender, and full of cozy flavor, they’re perfect for breakfast, afternoon snacking, or serving alongside other autumn favorites like apple cake or apple cinnamon rolls.

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📝 Ingredients

Muffins

• 1 cup apple cider (reduce to ½ cup; not vinegar)
• 1¾ cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons apple pie spice (see notes)
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• ¼ cup packed brown sugar
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup unsweetened applesauce

Cinnamon Sugar Topping

• 3 tablespoons butter, melted
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

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👩‍🍳 Instructions

Reduce the Apple Cider
Simmer the apple cider over medium heat until it reduces to about ½ cup. Set aside to cool (or refrigerate) before using.

Prepare the Oven
Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a muffin tin with liners or lightly grease with cooking spray.

Mix Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and apple pie spice.

Mix Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the oil, brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, applesauce, and reduced apple cider until smooth.

Combine the Batter
Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and whisk just until fully combined.

Fill the Muffin Cups
Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups, filling each to the top.

Bake
Bake at 425°F for 5 minutes. Without opening the oven, reduce the temperature to 350°F (175°C) and continue baking for about 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Add the Cinnamon Sugar Coating
Mix the granulated sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Brush the warm muffin tops with melted butter, then roll them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.