Print

Gooey Caramel Apple Muffins

Gooey Caramel Apple Muffins
Print Recipe

Gooey Caramel Apple Muffins are tender, moist muffins bursting with sweet apples and luscious caramel pockets. Perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert, they combine soft crumb texture with warm spices and gooey caramel for an irresistible treat everyone will love.

Ingredients

Scale

Fruits and Flavorings

  • 2 cups fresh crisp apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled and diced
  • 1/2 cup caramel bits or chopped soft caramel candies (or 1/3 cup caramel sauce)
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger or allspice (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour (or whole wheat/oat flour for healthier swap)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar

Wet Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted (or vegan butter for dairy-free)
  • 2 large eggs (or flax/chia eggs for vegan)
  • 1/2 cup milk or buttermilk (or plant-based milk)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the apples and caramel: Wash, peel, and dice the apples into small cubes to ensure even distribution and softening during baking. If using solid caramel candies, chop them finely into small bits.
  2. Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, and any optional spices to form the muffin base.
  3. Combine wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat the eggs with brown sugar until creamy. Stir in the melted butter, vanilla extract, and milk (or buttermilk) until fully blended.
  4. Fold wet and dry mixtures: Gently pour the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring just until combined to avoid overmixing. Carefully fold in the diced apples and caramel bits evenly.
  5. Bake to golden perfection: Spoon the batter into a greased or lined muffin tin, filling each cup about three-quarters full. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out with a few moist crumbs. Allow muffins to cool slightly in the pan before transferring to a wire rack.

Notes

  • Use fresh apples for the best firmness and natural sweetness.
  • Do not overmix the batter to keep muffins light and tender.
  • Gently fold in caramel bits to help them maintain gooey pockets without sinking completely.
  • Start checking muffins around 18 minutes to avoid drying out.
  • Cool muffins in the pan briefly (about 5 minutes) before removing to keep their shape intact.

Nutrition

Keywords: caramel apple muffins, gooey muffins, caramel muffins, apple dessert, breakfast muffins, autumn baking, easy muffins

Find it online: https://marybaking.com/gooey-caramel-apple-muffins/