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- 1 cup apple cider - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted - 1 cup brown sugar, packed - 1 large egg - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour - 1 teaspoon baking powder - 1 teaspoon baking soda - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon - 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1 medium apple, peeled and finely diced - 1/2 cup caramel sauce The main ingredients in caramel apple cider donut muffins create a rich taste. Apple cider gives a lovely flavor. Melted butter adds moisture, while brown sugar brings sweetness. The egg binds everything together, and vanilla adds warmth. Flour is the base, while baking powder and baking soda help them rise. Cinnamon and nutmeg add spice, and salt enhances all the flavors. The diced apple gives a fresh crunch, and caramel sauce makes it fun. - Muffin tin - Mixing bowls - Small saucepan - Whisk You need a few tools to make these muffins. A muffin tin is key to shaping them. Mixing bowls help combine the ingredients easily. A small saucepan is needed to reduce the apple cider. A whisk makes mixing quick and smooth. - Additional caramel sauce - Thin apple slices Adding garnishes makes your muffins special. Extra caramel sauce on top creates a sweet finish. Thin apple slices can add color and freshness, making your muffins look fancy. - Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a muffin tin or line it with muffin liners. - In a small saucepan, bring 1 cup of apple cider to a boil. Reduce the heat and let it simmer until it reduces to about 1/2 cup. This should take around 10-15 minutes. Let the cider cool slightly after reducing. - In a large mixing bowl, combine 1/2 cup of melted unsalted butter and 1 cup of packed brown sugar. Stir until the mixture is well blended and smooth. - Add 1 large egg and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture. Mix until smooth. - Once the apple cider has cooled, whisk it into the mixture. This adds a nice flavor to the muffins. - In another bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. - Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. - Gently fold in 1 medium apple, peeled and finely diced, until it is evenly distributed in the batter. - Fill each muffin cup about two-thirds full with the batter. - Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of a muffin. If it comes out clean, they are ready. - Remove the muffins from the oven and let them cool for about 5 minutes in the tin. Then, transfer them to a wire rack. - Drizzle 1/2 cup of caramel sauce generously over the warm muffins before serving. To get the best texture in your muffins, avoid overmixing. When you mix the batter, do it gently. Just combine the wet and dry ingredients until they blend. This keeps the muffins light and fluffy. Also, measure your ingredients properly. Use a kitchen scale for accuracy. This small step can make a big difference in your final muffins. To boost flavor, play with spices. Add a pinch of ginger or allspice for a twist. You can also try different types of apples. Granny Smith gives a nice tartness, while Honeycrisp adds sweetness. Experiment to find your favorite mix! For the best caramel drizzle, use warm caramel sauce. It flows nicely and covers more surface area. Drizzle right when the muffins come out of the oven. This keeps the caramel gooey and delicious. Remember to be generous! A good drizzle makes all the difference in flavor and presentation. {{image_2}} You can make these muffins healthier by using whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour. Whole wheat adds fiber and nutrients. You can also reduce the sugar. Try cutting the brown sugar by a third. The muffins will still taste great. To add more flavor, think about adding nuts or raisins. Chopped walnuts or pecans give a nice crunch. Diced raisins add sweetness and chewiness. For a fun twist, sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top before baking. This adds a sweet crust that is hard to resist. If you need gluten-free muffins, use gluten-free flour blends. These blends work well in most recipes. Just make sure to follow the instructions on the package for the best results. Your muffins will be just as tasty and fluffy! To keep your caramel apple cider donut muffins fresh, store them in an airtight container. This helps keep them moist. You can use plastic wrap or a zip-top bag too. Place the muffins at room temperature for up to three days. Avoid leaving them out too long, as they can dry out. If you want to save some muffins for later, freezing is a great option. First, let them cool completely. Then, wrap each muffin tightly in plastic wrap. Place the wrapped muffins in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can last up to three months in the freezer. When you're ready to enjoy one, take it out and let it thaw at room temperature. You can warm it up in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds for a fresh, warm taste. In the pantry, these muffins last about three days. If you keep them in the fridge, they can last up to a week. Just remember to store them in an airtight container to keep them fresh. Yes, you can use fresh apple cider. It adds a great taste. Just make sure to reduce it, as the recipe states. This step concentrates the flavor and sweetness. These muffins last for about three days at room temperature. Store them in an airtight container. If you want them to last longer, put them in the fridge for five days. Absolutely! You can make the batter a day before. Just keep it in the fridge. Bake them fresh in the morning for a lovely treat. You can also bake the muffins and store them. If your muffins are too dense, check your mixing method. Make sure not to overmix the batter. Also, ensure you measure the flour correctly. Light and fluffy muffins depend on proper mixing. Yes, you can use chocolate sauce or a glaze. Cream cheese frosting works well, too. Get creative with your toppings for fun flavor twists! We explored the key ingredients and steps to bake delicious caramel apple cider muffins. With tips on texture and flavor variations, you can customize these muffins to fit your taste. Remember, baking is about experimenting, so don’t hesitate to try new ingredients. Use proper storage techniques to enjoy them fresh longer. Now, you have all the tools to make these muffins a hit! Happy baking!

Caramel Apple Cider Donut Muffins

Indulge in the deliciousness of Caramel Apple Cider Donut Muffins with this easy recipe! Perfectly spiced and topped with a rich caramel drizzle, these muffins bring the flavors of fall right to your kitchen. In just 40 minutes, you can create 12 mouthwatering treats that are sure to impress family and friends. Click to discover the full recipe and make your mornings sweeter with these delightful muffins!
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Ingredients
  

1 cup apple cider

1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

1 cup brown sugar, packed

1 large egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 medium apple, peeled and finely diced (Granny Smith works well)

1/2 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)

Instructions
 

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a muffin tin or line with muffin liners.

    In a small saucepan, bring the apple cider to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat and simmer until it's reduced to about 1/2 cup, which should take around 10-15 minutes. Let it cool slightly.

      In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted butter and brown sugar, stirring until well blended.

        Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture and mix until smooth.

          Once the apple cider has cooled, whisk it into the mixture.

            In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.

              Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix!

                Gently fold in the diced apple until evenly distributed in the batter.

                  Fill each muffin cup about two-thirds full with the batter.

                    Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.

                      Remove the muffins from the oven and let them cool for about 5 minutes in the tin before transferring them to a wire rack.

                        Drizzle the caramel sauce generously over the warm muffins before serving.

                          Prep Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 40 minutes | Servings: 12 muffins

                            - Presentation Tips: Serve these muffins on a rustic wooden platter with additional caramel sauce on the side for drizzling, and garnish with thin apple slices for a vibrant touch.