If there’s one thing that instantly makes the kitchen smell like fall, it’s the combination of apples, cinnamon, and butter bubbling away. These caramel apple muffins bring all those cozy aromas together in one easy bake – they’re literally caramel apples in muffin form! Sweet, sticky, and packed with tender bits of tart Granny Smith apples, every bite is like a warm hug on a cool day.
The secret to their flavor is in the balance – the apples add a gentle tartness that pairs beautifully with the rich, buttery caramel pieces. As they bake, those caramels melt into the batter, creating soft, gooey pockets of sweetness. And just when you think it couldn’t get any better, the brown sugar and oat topping adds that irresistible, slightly crunchy texture on top.
I love making these on a Sunday morning when the house feels a little chilly, and you need something comforting in the oven. They’re also perfect for school lunches, coffee breaks, or that mid-afternoon craving for “just a little something sweet.” And if you’re feeling indulgent (and I say go for it), serve them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce – it’s fall dessert perfection.
One of my favorite things about this recipe is how simple it is to pull together. No fancy mixers, no complicated steps – just basic pantry ingredients and a little stirring. You can even swap the apples for pears if you like, or add a handful of chopped pecans for an extra nutty twist.
Trust me, these muffins won’t last long once they come out of the oven. The smell alone will have everyone hovering in the kitchen waiting for them to cool – and if you’re anything like me, you’ll probably sneak one while it’s still warm and gooey.
Caramel Apple Muffins
Equipment
Ingredients
For the muffins
- ½ cup peeled and chopped Granny Smith apples about 75g
- 12 soft caramels chopped
- 2 cups all-purpose flour 250g
- ¾ cup granulated sugar 150g
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 large egg at room temperature
- 1 cup milk 240ml
- ¼ cup butter melted (60g)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
For the topping
- ½ cup packed brown sugar 100g
- ¼ cup rolled oats 25g
- 3 tablespoons butter melted (40g)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF / 180ºC degrees and line a muffin tin with paper liners.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined — don’t overmix.
- Fold in the chopped apples and caramels.
- Use an ice cream scoop to divide the batter evenly between the 12 muffin cups.
- In a small bowl, mix together all topping ingredients and sprinkle over each muffin.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- These are delicious served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Did you make this recipe?
Please let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and tag @Addthelove_ on Instagram and hashtag it #Addthelove.
