If you’re hoping to cozy up with the flavors of autumn, or you simply want a bakery-style treat for breakfast, these Apple Butter Muffins will have you swooning from the first bite. Every muffin is moist, warmly spiced, and bursting with sweet apple depth—thanks to the star ingredient, apple butter. They’re easy enough for a weekday yet impressive enough for a weekend brunch, making them my go-to for sharing a little comfort and nostalgia in muffin form.

Apple Butter Muffins Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Baking a batch of Apple Butter Muffins doesn’t require a fancy shopping trip; everything you need is likely in your pantry right now. Each ingredient works in harmony to create incredible flavor, moist crumb, and a hint of spice that makes these muffins truly addictive.

All-purpose flour: The sturdy base that gives these muffins their tender, cake-like structure.
Baking soda: Ensures the muffins rise perfectly and have a lovely, light texture.
Baking powder: Adds an extra lift, so every bite is fluffy but not dense.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the warm spices.
Ground cinnamon: Brings a classic fall warmth and a beautiful aroma to the kitchen.
Ground nutmeg: Deepens the spice profile, pairing so well with apple butter.
Packed brown sugar: Contributes moisture, caramel notes, and that irresistible muffin top.
Granulated sugar: Adds just the right amount of sweetness for a balanced treat.
Vegetable oil: Keeps the crumb moist and soft (and makes the recipe so easy—no melting butter!).
Large eggs: Hold everything together and enrich the texture.
Apple butter: The secret weapon for infused apple flavor and ultra-moist results.
Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavors with fragrant warmth.
Milk (any type): Loosens up the batter, making sure your muffins are light and tender—plus you can sub in applesauce for extra apple zing!
Chopped walnuts or pecans (optional): Add a satisfying crunch and nutty flavor on top, if you like texture.

How to Make Apple Butter Muffins

Step 1: Prep Your Muffin Tin and Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners or give it a quick coat of nonstick spray. This simple step makes cleanup a breeze and your muffins easy to remove—because the sooner you can taste them, the better!

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Taking a moment to combine these will evenly distribute the leaveners and spices, ensuring every bite of your Apple Butter Muffins tastes perfectly spiced.

Step 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients

Grab a large bowl and mix together the brown sugar, granulated sugar, and vegetable oil until smooth. Add in the eggs, apple butter, vanilla extract, and milk. Give it a good whisk—your kitchen will already start smelling like fall at this point!

Step 4: Bring It All Together

Gradually add your dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. The batter will look thick and creamy—just what you want. Try not to overmix; a few small lumps are better than tough muffins.

Step 5: Fill and Top the Muffin Cups

Divide the batter evenly among your muffin cups, filling each about three-quarters full. If you love a bit of crunch, sprinkle chopped walnuts or pecans on top of each muffin for a bakery-worthy finish.

Step 6: Bake Until Golden

Slide your muffin tin into the oven and bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until a toothpick poked into the center comes out clean. Your kitchen will fill with a mouthwatering aroma, making the wait almost impossible! Let the Apple Butter Muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to finish cooling—trust me, the hardest part is not sneaking one right away.

How to Serve Apple Butter Muffins

Garnishes

A little extra cinnamon sprinkled over the warm muffins sends the aroma soaring. You can also dust them with powdered sugar or drizzle a quick glaze with powdered sugar and milk, making them extra special for gatherings.

Side Dishes

Pair Apple Butter Muffins with a bowl of creamy Greek yogurt and fresh sliced apples for a wholesome breakfast. If you’re leaning toward brunch, serve them alongside a herby frittata or simply with a steaming cup of spiced chai or coffee.

Creative Ways to Present

Try serving your muffins in a rustic bread basket lined with a gingham napkin, or layer them on a cake stand with slices of crisp apple for a farmhouse look. Want a real treat? Split them and add a slather of extra apple butter or a swipe of soft butter just before serving.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled completely, pop your Apple Butter Muffins into an airtight container. They’ll stay moist and flavorful for up to three days at room temperature. I even think they taste better on day two, as the flavors meld!

Freezing

To keep muffins on hand for busy mornings, freeze them! Wrap each muffin individually or store them in a freezer bag. They can be frozen for up to three months—just thaw overnight or warm gently when you need a taste of comfort.

Reheating

Nothing beats a warm muffin. Reheat your Apple Butter Muffins in the microwave for 10–15 seconds or pop them into a low oven for a few minutes. This brings back all that fresh-baked goodness, making them taste like you just pulled them from the oven.

FAQs

Can I use homemade apple butter for this recipe?

Absolutely! Homemade apple butter adds an even deeper flavor. Just make sure it’s thick and richly spiced—you want it to bring all that concentrated apple goodness to the muffins.

Can I make these Apple Butter Muffins dairy-free?

Yes, and it’s super easy. Simply swap the milk for your favorite non-dairy alternative, such as almond or oat milk. You can also use applesauce in place of milk for an even bolder apple note.

What’s the best way to ensure my muffins stay moist?

Don’t overbake them, and store them in an airtight container after they’ve cooled. Because the apple butter keeps everything moist, even day-old muffins taste incredible.

Can I add fruit or other mix-ins?

Definitely! Chopped apples or dried cranberries blend in beautifully, or try a handful of raisins for extra texture. Just be careful not to overload the batter so the muffins bake evenly.

Do Apple Butter Muffins freeze well?

They absolutely do. Just make sure they’re fully cooled before freezing, and wrap well to prevent freezer burn. You’ll always have a delicious breakfast (or snack) ready at hand!

Final Thoughts

If you’re craving a muffin that’s packed with autumn flavor and cozy vibes, you can’t beat these Apple Butter Muffins. They’re easy, comforting, and make every morning feel a little more special. Give them a try—you might find yourself baking a second batch before you know it!

Apple Butter Muffins Recipe

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4.6 from 26 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 12 muffins 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Delight in these Apple Butter Muffins, a perfect treat for fall mornings or anytime you crave a cozy, spiced delight. Moist and flavorful, these muffins are simple to make and bursting with apple goodness.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients:

1¾ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Wet Ingredients:

½ cup brown sugar (packed)
½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs
1 cup apple butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ cup milk (any type)

Optional Topping:

Chopped walnuts or pecans

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Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare muffin tin.
Mix Dry Ingredients: Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a bowl.
Prepare Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix sugars and oil, then add eggs, apple butter, vanilla, and milk.
Combine: Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet until just combined.
Bake: Fill muffin cups, top with nuts if desired, and bake for 18–22 minutes.
Cool and Enjoy: Cool in pan briefly, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

For extra flavor, let the muffins sit overnight.
Substitute milk with applesauce for a more intense apple taste or for a dairy-free option.
Leftover muffins can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Breakfast
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American