Ohhhh boy, it’s apple season! I just dipped my toe in the water with the apples this week and only picked up two, which limited my options a little as to what I was going to make, but I like a challenge. This recipe for maple apple muffins immediately grabbed my attention with the “maple apple”, then when I saw that I had enough apples, I was sold. They’re the perfect recipe to welcome apples back.

In addition to being a perfect combination of flavors, these muffins are a snap to make. In fact I whipped them up last night and I think it took me about 10 minutes (15 tops) to make the batter, add 15-20 minutes in the oven and that’s it. I love how indicative of fall this recipe is. Oats, maple, cinnamon and apple. Just typing those ingredients makes me want to sit on the couch with a blanket and a mug of warm apple cider.

Not long after I began I had a lovely tin full of golden muffins and the scent of cinnamon and apples filling my kitchen. The muffins are moist, with cinnamon flecked throughout and chunks of apple adding little juicy bites. There’s an optional topping that’s a combination of maple syrup and powdered sugar, but for once in my life I decided against the extra sweet. Whatever you decide, it’s the perfect way to start a fall day.

maple apple muffins
from recipe girl

1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup quick-cooking oats
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1½ tsp ground cinnamon
½ cup milk
1/3 cup butter, melted
¼ cup maple syrup
1 large egg, slightly beaten
2 cups apple chopped & peeled into 1/2″ pieces
12 pecan halves

glaze (optional):
1/3 cup powdered sugar
2 Tbs maple syrup

Preheat oven to 400°F.

1
Grease 12-cup muffin tin or line with paper liners.
2
In a large bowl, whisk together dry ingredients (through cinnamon)
3
In a small bowl, mix milk, butter, syrup and egg; stir into dry ingredients and mix just until moistened.
4
Fold in apples.
5
Fill prepared muffin cups to the top. Top each with a pecan half. Bake 18 to 20 minutes or until muffins test done. Cool in pan for 10 minutes before removing to wire rack to cool completely.