These Brown Sugar Apple Muffins are a miracle – they stay moist for 4 to 5 days!!
KEY TIP: Do not over mix batter (causes dry muffin), stir until flour is just incorporated, few lumps are fine. This recipe will work with cup measures regardless of which country you are in, with the exception of Japan – please use the weights provided.
Ingredients
- 2 level cups apple pieces, 0.7 cm / 1/3″ cubes (2 large apples, I use red)
- 1 tbsp melted butter, for muffin tin (or use paper liners)
- 115 g / ½ cup unsalted butter, melted (1 stick)
- 1 cup / 200g brown sugar, packed
- 2/3 cup / 165 ml milk (low fat, full fat, non-dairy also fine)
- 1 large egg (approx 60g /2 oz)
- 1 tsp white vinegar (or any other clear vinegar)
- 2 cups / 300 g wholewheat flour (or white = even softer muffin)
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp cinnamon powder
- Pinch of salt
Topping (optional)
- 2 tbsp raw sugar (demerara sugar – large granules)

Method
- Preheat oven to 200C/390F.
- Brush a 12-hole, standard muffin tin with melted butter, or line with paper cases.
- Place butter and brown sugar in a bowl, whisk to combine.
- Add milk, then egg, and vinegar. Whisk to combine.
- Scatter flour across the batter surface, followed by baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Whisk 10 times until the flour is incorporated – some lumps are fine.
- Stir in apple – minimum stirs just to disperse.
- Scoop batter into muffin tin – I use an ice cream scoop – filling it all the way to the top. If using a scooper, leave it the slight ball shape – don’t smooth the top.
- You should get 12.
- Sprinkle with sugar (if using – makes the surface slightly crispy), place muffins in the oven.
- Immediately turn down to 180C/350F.
- Bake for 20 minutes (standard) or 18 minutes (fan/convection), or until a skewer comes out clean.
- Rest in the muffin tin for 5 minutes then transfer to a rack to cool.
- Once fully cooled, store in an airtight container – it will stay moist for up to 5 days. These also freeze very well.
Recipe credit: Thanks to Nagi from recipetineats
Prepared, tried, and tested Marlene-Rick Harker
These look wonderful x
Thanks dear – also on my to bake list but having said that I have not eaten a crumb of bread or flour for a month now, so will have to do GF when I get to that
Hi there! I love the sound of using brown sugar and apples in this recipe! Yummy ingredients! I tend to like Jonathan and Rome apples in apple crisp, which kinds do you recommend in these muffins? 😊 🍏🍎
I will have to check Marlene and get back to you to let you know which she used.
Response from Marlene.
I think you can use any type of apple, I have made this same recipe using Granny Smith and it turned out so yummy
Thank you thank you thank you