Cozy Cinnamon Applesauce Muffins Recipe for Fall Mornings

My grandma’s secret cinnamon applesauce muffins recipe always brings comfort during chilly autumn mornings.

Sweet memories flood back with each bite of these tender treats.

Warm spices dance through soft, moist crumbs that melt instantly.

Every baker can create magic with simple pantry ingredients.

Fragrant notes of cinnamon weave through applesauce, creating depth and richness.

Minimal effort yields maximum satisfaction in these delightful breakfast companions.

We’ll transform basic ingredients into something truly extraordinary that sparks joy at first taste.

Why Cinnamon Applesauce Muffins Are Comforting

• Super simple recipe perfect for baking beginners with minimal kitchen skills and ingredients.
• Wholesome muffins that kids will love, packed with familiar flavors like cinnamon and applesauce that appeal to all ages.
• Excellent for breakfast, school lunches, after-school snacks, or casual weekend brunch gatherings with minimal preparation time.
• Uses applesauce as a moisture-rich ingredient, reducing overall fat content while maintaining delicious texture and adding natural sweetness.

Simple Ingredients for Applesauce Muffins

• Flour, All-Purpose: A base for the muffin's structure, providing the main body and texture.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Essential leavening agents that help the muffins rise and become light.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness.
• Cinnamon, Nutmeg: Warm spices that add depth and classic autumn flavor to the muffins.

• Butter, Melted: Adds richness and moisture to the muffins, creating a tender crumb.
• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with caramelization and moisture.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and contribute to the muffins' structure.
• Applesauce: Adds natural sweetness, moisture, and a hint of apple flavor.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile with its warm, sweet notes.

• Sugar, Cinnamon: A sweet and spicy combination for a delightful crunch and extra flavor on top of the muffins.
• Butter, Melted: Helps the cinnamon sugar topping adhere to the muffins.

How to Make Cinnamon Muffins with Applesauce

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to 375F (190C). Cover a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners or give it a quick spray of cooking oil.

Step 2: Create the Dry Blend

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Ground cinnamon
• Nutmeg (if you're feeling adventurous)

Step 3: Whip Up the Wet Mixture

• Melted butter
• Granulated sugar
• Brown sugar

Whisk until smooth. Toss in eggs, applesauce, and vanilla extract. Mix until everything looks happy together.

Step 4: Marry the Mixtures

Slowly pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir gently until just combined. Don’t go crazy with mixing- we want fluffy muffins!

Step 5: Fill the Muffin Cups

Scoop the batter into the prepared muffin pan. Fill each cup about two-thirds full.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into the oven and bake for 18-22 minutes. Check doneness by poking a toothpick into the center- it should come out clean. Let the muffins rest in the pan for 5 minutes, then move them to a cooling rack.

Step 7: Add the Sparkle (Optional)

Mix sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Brush warm muffin tops with melted butter, then sprinkle the cinnamon sugar on top for extra magic.

Smart Baking Tips for Cinnamon Muffins

• Prevent Overmixing: Gently fold the wet and dry ingredients together until just combined to maintain a soft, tender muffin texture. Overmixing can lead to tough, dense results.
• Customize Your Muffins: Swap applesauce with mashed bananas or Greek yogurt for different flavor profiles. Add chopped nuts or dried fruits for extra crunch and nutrition.
• Check Doneness Carefully: Use the toothpick test to ensure perfect baking. If it comes out with a few moist crumbs, the muffins are ready. Avoid overbaking to keep them moist.
• Room Temperature Matters: Allow eggs and applesauce to reach room temperature before mixing. This helps ingredients blend smoothly and creates a more consistent batter.
• Store Smart: Keep muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days. Freeze for up to a month, wrapped individually for quick grab-and-go breakfasts.

Store Cinnamon Muffins

• Store cooled muffins in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, keeping them fresh and moist.
• Wrap individual muffins tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months for longer storage.
• Warm briefly in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or place in a 300F oven for 5-7 minutes until heated through.
• Remove from freezer and let sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes, or microwave on low power for 30-45 seconds.

What Goes Best with Cinnamon Applesauce Muffins

• Sip on a steaming mug of chai tea or classic cinnamon-spiced coffee to complement the muffins' warm, comforting flavors.
• Serve alongside a dollop of vanilla Greek yogurt or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream to balance the muffins' spiced sweetness.
• Match with crispy bacon or a light fruit salad to provide a savory contrast and complete a satisfying morning meal.
• Top muffins with toasted chopped walnuts or pecans to add extra texture and depth to the cinnamon-apple profile.

Cinnamon Muffin Variations to Consider

• Gluten-Free Delight: Replace wheat flour with almond or gluten-free all-purpose flour blend, ensuring the same tender texture while accommodating wheat-sensitive diets.
• Vegan Transformation: Swap eggs with mashed banana or flax eggs, use coconut oil instead of butter, and choose plant-based applesauce to create a completely dairy-free and egg-free version.
• Low-Sugar Option: Substitute granulated sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, reducing overall sugar content while maintaining the muffins' natural sweetness from applesauce.
• Nutty Protein Boost: Incorporate chopped walnuts or pecans into the batter, adding crunch and additional nutritional value to the classic cinnamon applesauce muffins.

Cinnamon Applesauce Muffins: Common Questions

• Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?

Yes, you can substitute up to half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour. This will add more fiber and a nuttier flavor to the muffins, but might make them slightly denser.

• How can I make these muffins more moist?

Using applesauce in the recipe already helps keep the muffins moist. For extra moisture, you can add a bit more applesauce or substitute some of the butter with Greek yogurt.

• Are these muffins kid-friendly?

Absolutely! The sweet cinnamon flavor and soft texture make these muffins perfect for children. They’re not too sweet and have a mild, comforting taste that kids typically enjoy.

• Can I freeze these muffins?

Yes, these muffins freeze well. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. They’ll stay fresh for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or warm briefly in the microwave before serving.

Cinnamon Applesauce Muffins Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Homemade cinnamon applesauce muffins deliver warmth and comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen. Sweet spices and tender crumb make these morsels perfect for morning breakfast or afternoon snack companions.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Dry Ingredients:

• 1 ¾ cups (220 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)

Sweeteners and Wet Ingredients:

• ½ cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
• ¼ cup (50 grams) light brown sugar, packed
• ½ cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cinnamon Sugar Topping (optional):

• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons melted butter

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 375F (190C) and arranging a 12-cup muffin tin with protective paper liners or a light coating of grease.
2. Create a dry ingredient foundation by thoroughly whisking flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, and optional nutmeg in a spacious mixing vessel.
3. Craft a liquid mixture by blending melted butter with granulated and brown sugars until achieving a smooth consistency, then incorporate eggs, applesauce, and vanilla extract, stirring until perfectly integrated.
4. Merge the liquid and dry components with gentle, minimal stirring to maintain a delicate muffin texture, ensuring ingredients are just combined without overmixing.
5. Distribute the batter evenly across muffin cups, filling each compartment approximately two-thirds full to allow proper rising during baking.
6. Transfer the muffin tin to the preheated oven and bake for 18-22 minutes, monitoring until a toothpick emerges clean when inserted into the center of a muffin.
7. Allow muffins to rest in the tin for five minutes before relocating to a wire cooling rack for complete temperature reduction.
8. For an optional flavor enhancement, blend sugar and cinnamon, then brush warm muffin surfaces with melted butter and dust with the aromatic cinnamon-sugar mixture.

Notes

• Customize your muffins by swapping applesauce with mashed bananas or pumpkin puree for unique flavor variations.
• Boost nutrition by incorporating whole wheat flour or adding chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans for extra crunch and protein.
• Ensure tender muffins by avoiding overmixing the batter, which can create tough, dense textures.
• Make these muffins gluten-free by substituting all-purpose flour with a reliable gluten-free flour blend, maintaining the same measurements.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 195
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg