These moist applesauce muffins have a delicious apple cinnamon flavor and are sweetened with applesauce. They’re the perfect easy muffin recipe, and the cinnamon sugar topping makes them extra drool-worthy.
If you’re looking for the perfect muffin that’s warm, cozy and impossible to resist – then look no further than these applesauce muffins. They have a delicious apple flavor, fluffy texture, super moist crumb, and crunchy cinnamon sugar on top.
The apple flavor is subtle, and the hint of brown sugar and cinnamon makes them perfect for fall. (Although, I’ll happily eat them any time of year).
What I especially love about these applesauce muffins is that they’re never dry. There’s nothing worse than a muffin that’s crumbly or tough in the center. In addition to adding flavor – the applesauce keeps the muffins extra moist. So it’s a total win-win.
Applesauce Muffin Recipe
What’s so awesome about these apple muffins is that there’s no need to get out your mixer. We’re using melted butter because butter adds more flavor than oil, and because it’s melted – you can whisk everything by hand. (Cue happy dance).
We whisk together the melted butter and sugars (a combo of white & brown sugar for more flavor) – then whisk in the eggs, vanilla extract & applesauce. I definitely recommend using unsweetened applesauce, otherwise, the muffins can end up a bit too sweet. If you have cinnamon applesauce, that works perfectly too. Your muffins will just be a bit more cinnamon-y.
Then we gently stir in the dry ingredients. We’re using ground cinnamon and a hint of nutmeg for flavor, then just the right amount of flour so that the muffins don’t end up too dry. Make sure to give your flour a whisk first, then spoon it into a dry measuring cup and level off the top.
(I’m a bit obsessed with measuring flour properly. If you just scoop it out of the bag/container, it’s too packed down and therefore you’ll add too much flour. This can lead to dry, crumbly baked goods – which we definitely don’t want).
The muffins bake at 375F so that they rise perfectly. I find a slightly higher temperature really helps muffins get that perfectly domed top, but we don’t want the oven too hot or else they can burn. For this recipe, 350F is too low but 400F is too hot. 375F = JUUUUUUUST right. (Thanks Goldilocks).
Then the magic happens when we take the muffins out of the oven. Allow them to cool for about 10 minutes – you want them still warm, but not so hot that you burn your fingers. Then dip the top in a shallow bowl of melted butter, and then they take a dip in cinnamon sugar. I love the cinnamon sugar topping because it gives a delicious crunchy finish, more flavor, and a little visual appeal.
Plus – it reminds me of a delicious cinnamon sugar donut. Hello, there apple donut muffins.
These applesauce muffins are moist, flavorful, and filled with delicious apple cinnamon goodness. The cinnamon sugar topping turns them into an extra special treat – and makes for just the right amount of decadence at breakfast 😉
For more apple recipes, try these other favorites:
- Apple Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Apple Bread
- Apple Pancakes with Brown Sugar & Cinnamon
- Apple Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Applesauce Muffins
Ingredients
Applesauce Muffins
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter , melted
- ½ cup white sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
Cinnamon Sugar Topping
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter , melted
- ¼ cup white sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375F degrees. Line a muffin pan with muffin papers.
- Sift together the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
- In a large bowl whisk together the melted butter and sugars. Then whisk in the eggs, vanilla extract and applesauce.
- Whisk about ½ of the flour mixture into the wet ingredients, then gently fold in the rest using a rubber spatula or wooden spoon.
- Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin pan.
- Bake for 17-22 minutes, or until the tops are slightly firm to the touch and an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes.
- In a small bowl whisk together the sugar and cinnamon.
- Dip the top of a warm muffin in the melted butter, shaking off any excess. Then dip the top in the bowl of cinnamon sugar. Repeat the process with the rest of the muffins.
Carol
Made these this morning! They turned out great, but I may skip the butter on the top next time, and just sprinkle them with the cinnamon sugar.
Kathi
I’ve made these twice now. Very tasty, very easy. I put streusel on top instead of the butter and cinnamon/sugar mixture. I got 7 muffins each time I made this.
Sue
I have been a Pastry Chef for 20 years and have not tasted a better applesauce muffin than this one – with or without the topping, perfect basic recipe to add extras like raisins, nuts or cranberries – a little less sugar replaced with Skor baking chips was amazing – Kudos Fiona! You hit it out of the park on this one.
Nikki
These were fantastic! I skipped out on the sugar topping and made 6 jumbo muffins and baked them 5 minutes longer and they turned out perfect 🥰 Will definitely make again and maybe add some nuts in there for crunch!
Anita
I decided to make mini muffins with your recipe.
(2 bite size)
Just lovely little bites of deliciousness! Will make again.
Christine
Quick question. I made homemade applesauce but it has sugar in it. Can I cut the amount of white sugar down?
Fiona
You could, however – not knowing how sweet your applesauce is, it’s a little hard to say by how much. Maybe a few tablespoons and go from there?
Mary
I made the recipe as is substituting 1/4 Cup of flour for oatmeal adds texture and fiber. They were so good my a son ate them without question. I also make this recipe with a cup of smashed banana and sub apple sauce for the oil It’s Devine !
Ana Júlia
Hiii, do you think it’s going to work if i use oat flour instead???
Fiona
I think they would work – however, I think they’d be a little denser and may not rise as well.
Alice hielsberg
Very delicious. I added. Raisins. What is the calorie count.alice
Fiona
This recipe looks delicious! I’m going to make these with the foster children I look after 3 days a week. We’ve already made peanut butter chocolate chip blondie squares, and the children we so excited to bake with me.
Fiona
I love that you guys have been baking (definitely sounds like lots of delicious treats too). I hope you guys love the muffins
Andi
These were absolutely DELICIOUS! Made exactly as instructed. Thank you for sharing this recipe. I will definitely make these again.