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    Home » Recipes » Breakfast » Muffins

    Apple Cinnamon Sugar Donut Muffins

    Published by Melissa on August 31, 2019 | Updated June 10, 2022 | 49 Comments

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    Fall is right around the corner, and the perfect time to the make these Apple Cinnamon Sugar Donut Muffins. You just can’t go wrong with a muffin loaded with apples, whole wheat flour, and a sweet cinnamon and sugar coating. 

    Apple Cinnamon Donut Muffins

    The cinnamon sugar coating on these delicious, easy-to-make Apple Cinnamon Donut Muffins will remind you of the popular cinnamon sugar donut. 

    I’ve seen many different versions of sugar donut muffins on many blogs over the last few months and I’ve been wanting to make them for awhile. I’ve resisted because it’s rare that I serve donuts for breakfast. But when my sons had a sleepover, I thought it called for a special breakfast and these delightfully sweet muffins were a perfect fit.

    Also included in this post is a Recipe Round-Up. I’ve joined a fun group of bloggers to put together a roundup of recipes on the first day of every month. This month we’re sharing easy apple recipes.

    Ingredients and Step by Step Photo collage of Making Cinnamon Sugar Donut Muffins

    I used whole wheat pastry flour and add grated apple to boost the nutrition a bit. The grated apple adds great flavor and moisture and cooks quickly.

    Note: You could dice the apple if you prefer, but make sure to cut it into small pieces, or the apple will not cook in the short time it takes for the muffins to bake. 

    Apple Cinnamon Sugar Donut Muffins on a plate

    I made a double batch and they baked up light and fluffy but had that wonderful cinnamon sugar coating that reminds you of the simple pleasure of eating a fresh, hot sugar-coated donut.

    Of course, you don’t have to wait for fall to make these Apple Cinnamon Donut Muffins. They’re perfect any time of year. I hope you’ll give them a try. 

    Apple Cinnamon Donut Muffins
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    Apple Cinnamon Sugar Donut Muffins

    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time15 mins
    Total Time25 mins
    Course: Muffins
    Servings: 12 regular muffins
    Author: Barbara Schieving
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    Equipment

    • Breville BEM800XL Scraper Mixer Pro 5-Quart Die-Cast Stand Mixer
    • Cuisinart HM-90BCS Power Advantage Plus 9-Speed Handheld Mixer with Storage Case, Brushed Chrome
    • USA Pan (1200MF) Bakeware Cupcake and Muffin Pan, 12 Well, Aluminized Steel

    Ingredients

    • ¾ cup sugar
    • 1 large egg
    • ¼ cup vegetable oil
    • ¾ cup milk low fat is fine
    • 1 tsp vanilla extract
    • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour I used whole wheat pastry flour
    • 2 tsp baking power
    • ¼ tsp salt
    • ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
    • 2 small apples grated

    Topping:

    • 2 tbsp butter melted
    • ¼ cup sugar
    • 2 teaspoons cinnamon

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly grease a muffin tin with cooking spray or vegetable oil.
    • In a large bowl, beat together sugar and egg until light in color. Add in vegetable oil, milk and vanilla extract.
    • In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Add to egg mixture and stir to combine. Stir in grated apples.
    • Divide batter evenly into 12 muffin cups, filling each about ¾ full.
    • Bake for 15-18 minutes, until a tester inserted into the center comes out clean.
    • While muffins are baking, melt butter in a small bowl in the microwave. In another small bowl, combine remaining sugar and cinnamon.
    • When muffins are done, cool for a few minutes in the muffin pan, remove from pan and dip muffin top in melted butter, then immediately dip in cinnamon sugar mixture. Cool on a wire rack.

    More muffins you might like:

    Best Blueberry Streusel Muffins, Barbara Bakes
    Chunky Monkey Banana Bread Muffins, Barbara Bakes
    Apple Pecan Banana Mini Muffins, Barbara Bakes
    Pumpkin Nutella Muffins, Inside BruCrew
    Healthy Zucchini Muffins, Well Plated

    10 Easy Apple Recipes photo collage

    More apple recipes you might like:

    Apple Crumble Cake
    Apple Fries
    German Apple Cake with Streusel Topping
    Apple Cinnamon Sugar Donut Muffins
    Apple Nachos
    Apple Cheddar Pull-Apart Bread
    Apple Pancakes
    Apple Cinnamon Crumb Bars
    Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls
    Old-Fashioned Applesauce Oatmeal Cake

    Pin It:

    Apple Cinnamon Sugar Donut Muffins on a rack

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    about us

    About Melissa & Barbara

    As of June 2022 Melissa Griffiths now is the one adding recipes. So think of it as Barbara Bakes, and Melissa too! Melissa and Barbara have been blogging friends for over 10 years and when Barbara was ready to retire and spend more time with her family, Melissa took over the site. Read more...

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Darlyne Mitchell

      September 03, 2019 at 5:33 pm

      I like baking doughnuts in the fall. Does this recipe work as well in a doughnut baking pan instead of muffins?
      Thank you
      Darlyne

      Reply
      • Barbara Schieving

        September 03, 2019 at 8:38 pm

        Hi Darlyne – here’s a baked donut version https://www.barbarabakes.com/baked-apple-cinnamon-sugar-donuts/

        Reply
    2. Belmera Fernandes

      September 01, 2019 at 1:15 pm

      Is whole wheat pastry flour different from wheat flour ❓how❓THANKS

      Reply
      • Barbara Schieving

        September 05, 2019 at 7:53 pm

        Yes, whole wheat pastry flour is ground from a soft white wheat and has a lower protein count so it’s better for baking. But you can substitute whole wheat flour or all purpose flour in this recipe, you may need to add less milk if using all purpose flour.

        Reply
    3. Nicole

      May 08, 2017 at 6:54 pm

      I have made these a few times now and they are fantastic! I use white pastry flour and they turn out so perfectly moist. I also skip the butter at the end. The cinnamon sugar sticks without it. My daughter is 7 and she devours them. Thanks for the fantastic recipe!

      Reply
    4. Gigi

      January 19, 2012 at 8:22 am

      These are amazingly delicious muffins. The grated apple and the cinnamon add just the right amount of yummy goodness. Enjoy.

      Reply
    5. Jmartinelli13

      October 27, 2010 at 7:29 am

      Made these this morning for my little guy to take in his lunch box. Fantastic!

      Reply
    6. whisk-kid

      April 17, 2010 at 6:10 am

      These sound so awesome! Love the additions/substitutions you made 🙂

      Reply
    7. Jamie

      April 12, 2010 at 8:52 pm

      I had posted about cinnamon sugar donut muffins last year. I realy like how you made it better for you with the whole wheat flour and the apples. I would love one for breakfast.

      Reply
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