Apple Cider Muffins with Cinnamon Glaze

Drizzled with a simple cinnamon glaze and loaded with cozy flavors, Apple Cider Muffins are a delicious way to welcome fall. Made with fresh apple cider and seasonal spices, these soft, fluffy muffins are an autumn favorite.

Gravity is a force that doesn’t discriminate between fruit and foreheads. Isaac Newton learned this painful lesson after an apple plummeted from the tree he was sitting under and clocked him on the noggin. But instead of taking this apple-to-the-skull incident as a sign from the universe to stop reading celestial mechanics for fun, Isaac popped two Advil and had a scientific revelation about gravity.

My husband is more Fig Newton than Isaac Newton. While routing in the pantry for snacks, he knocked a glass bottle of apple cider vinegar off the shelf and it shattered on his toe. Apparently gravity doesn’t discriminate between fruit and feet, either. At least Isaac’s apple incident was a catalyst for a groundbreaking theory, my husband’s was just a catalyst for glass breaking. And kitchen stinking. I mean Mr. Clean himself couldn’t erase the pungent smell of vinegar that has permeated my floorboards. And my nostrils. Not that I put Mr. Clean in my nose to say for sure, but now that I think about it, it’s worth a shot.

Before I take a mop to my nose hairs, I need to fight fire with fire–which means offsetting the stench of apple cider vinegar with apple cider muffins. If I’ve learned one thing in life, it’s that baking works better than a bottle of Febreze. In theory, the right dessert could mask the smell of a dead body from a trained cadaver dog. As much as I want to kill my husband for the vinegary mess he made in the kitchen, I may test that theory shortly.

In the meantime, let’s talk apple cider vinegar versus apple cider: two ingredients that sound similar but only one you can drink by the cupful without choking. Don’t get them confused; they are at opposite ends of the taste spectrum. One is so acidic that it literally erodes the enamel off your teeth, the other satisfies every sweet tooth in your mouth. Choose wisely when making this recipe and you’ll be rewarded with soft, fluffy muffins perfectly seasoned with pressed apples and autumn spices. Topped with a dripping cinnamon glaze courtesy of Newton’s gravitational discovery, there’s nothing better than a batch of these fall muffins

Before sharing the recipe for Apple Cider Muffins, here are a few tips to help you out:

Ingredient Tips

Fresh apple cider is the flavorful key to muffin success. Farmers’ markets and apple orchards are the best places to find spiced apple cider, but many grocers carry fresh apple cider in season as well. Avoid using ciders packed with preservatives and added sugars.

Always use the spoon and level method to measure flour. Scooping flour is a no-no. That technique overpacks flour into the measuring cup which results in dry, dense muffins.

For best results be sure eggs and milk are at room temperature before beginning.

Preparation Tips

Wondering how to reduce apple cider? Simply bring 1 1/2 cups of cider to a boil then lower heat to medium-low and simmer for approximately 20 to 30 minutes or until the liquid reduces to 1/2 cup. Cool to room temperature before adding to batter.

Above all, do not overmix or overbake the batter or the end result will be muffins that are dry and dense.

How to Store Apple Cider Muffins

Can you freeze muffins? Yes! Unglazed muffins can be frozen up to 3 months. First cover with plastic wrap then with a layer of aluminum foil and place in an airtight container before freezing. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator then bring to room temperature before adding glaze.

Cover and store muffins at room temperature up to 3 days or in the refrigerator up to 5 days.

I hope you enjoy this Apple Cider Muffin recipe. Please leave a review below when you try it out. And, while you’re at it, sign up for my weekly Recipe Newsletter so you never miss a tempting recipe.

Finally, if you like apple recipes then you’ll love these Jumbo Muffin Tin Apple Pies. Twice as nice as minis, these jumbo muffins feature fresh, crisp apples coated with dulce de leche for petite pies that are perfect for fall.

Apple Cider Muffins with Cinnamon Glaze

Heather Wolf

Drizzled with a simple cinnamon glaze and loaded with cozy flavors, Apple Cider Muffins are a delicious way to welcome fall. Made with fresh apple cider and seasonal spices, these soft, fluffy muffins are an autumn favorite.

5 from 11 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Cider reduction 20 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Course Muffins

Cuisine American

Servings 12

Ingredients

  

Apple Cider Muffins

• 1 1/2 cups apple cider fresh
• 2 cups all-purpose flour unbleached
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp sea salt fine
• 1/2 cup dark brown sugar packed
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter melted
• 2 large eggs room temperature
• 1/4 cup whole milk room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla extract pure

Cinnamon Glaze

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar sifted
• 3 tsp whole milk
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Instructions

 

Apple Cider Muffins

• Place apple cider in a small saucepan and bring to a slow boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to medium-low then simmer for 20 to 30 minutes or until the liquid is reduced to 1/2 cup. Stir occasionally while simmering.
• Remove cider from heat and allow to cool to room temperature before adding to muffin batter.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Add muffin liners to a standard tin and set aside.
• In a medium-size bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Set aside.
• In a separate bowl, whisk cider, both sugars, butter, eggs, milk and vanilla until combined.
• Add dry ingredients to wet then stir with a spoon until just blended. Avoid overmixing or muffins will be dry.
• Distribute batter evenly among 12 muffin liners.
• Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until muffins are golden brown and a tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Avoid overbaking or muffins will be dry.
• Allow muffins to cool in the pan for 5 minutes then remove and place on a wire rack to cool completely before adding glaze.

Cinnamon Glaze

• Add glaze ingredients to a small bowl then whisk until smooth and lump free.

  *For a thinner glaze, add an additional teaspoon of milk.
• Drizzle glaze on muffins. If desired, add a dusting of powdered sugar.
• Muffins will keep in an airtight container at room temperature up to 3 days.

Keyword apple, cider, muffins