Caramel Apple Pecan Muffins (Printable)

Moist muffins with apple, caramel, and pecans. Soft, flavorful bites for breakfast or snack.

# Components:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 teaspoon baking powder
03 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

→ Wet Ingredients

06 - 2 large eggs
07 - 1/2 cup vegetable oil
08 - 1/2 cup buttermilk
09 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Sweeteners

10 - 3/4 cup granulated sugar
11 - 1/4 cup light brown sugar

→ Add-Ins

12 - 1 1/2 cups peeled, diced apples (about 2 medium apples)
13 - 3/4 cup chopped toasted pecans
14 - 1/2 cup soft caramel candies, chopped or prepared caramel sauce

# Method:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease thoroughly.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon until evenly mixed.
03 - In a separate bowl, beat eggs lightly. Add vegetable oil, buttermilk, vanilla extract, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar. Whisk until mixture is smooth.
04 - Add wet mixture to the dry ingredients and gently fold with a spatula until just combined, careful not to overmix.
05 - Add diced apples and chopped toasted pecans to the batter and fold in gently.
06 - Fill each muffin cup halfway with batter. Place a teaspoon of chopped caramel or drizzle caramel sauce in the center, then cover with the remaining batter.
07 - Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted (avoiding caramel) comes out clean.
08 - Allow muffins to rest in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack and cool completely.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Irresistible combination of sweet apples, crunchy pecans, and gooey caramel
  • Easy to prepare for breakfast, snack, or dessert
02 -
  • Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji apples add the best texture and flavor
  • Store muffins in an airtight container for up to 2 days at room temperature
03 -
  • For more caramel flavor, drizzle caramel sauce on top after baking
  • Substitute walnuts for pecans if preferred