Apple Fritter Muffins with Cinnamon Glaze

Apple fritters are full of apples and spice. They are my favorite donuts and taste like apple pie to me. Nutmeg and cinnamon are throughout this popular donut flavor and they often have a tasty glaze on top. I have made an apple fritter in the form of a muffin. I assure you that no flavor was lost by making a compact version. In fact, there is even more flavor packed inside of these muffins. 

Here is another muffin recipe for you all to enjoy, wherever you may be. As I have said before, I love how muffins are a grab and go breakfast. You can bake a batch and be set for the rest of the week as far as breakfast goes. 

The cinnamon glaze is the same glazed used in the apple pie bread recipe. I love it so much that I used it again. A regular glaze can also be used for this recipe. 

Can we all just take a moment to appreciate how versatile the art of baking can be?  It's a wonderful thing. My baking philosophy is: It's the little things that make baking grand!  Cinnamon glaze is on the list of one of those little things that can turn a dessert into something extraordinary. 

Apple Fritter Muffins

Yield: 12 muffins

Ingredients:

3 medium  granny smith apples (peeled and finely chopped - mixed with 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg)

1/3 cup brown sugar (packed)
1/4 cup ground nutmeg
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup butter (room temperature)
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 eggs (room temperature)
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 3/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 cup milk (I used 2% milk)

Cinnamon Glaze

Yield: glazes 12 muffins

1/2 cup sifted powdered sugar

1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon milk (I used 2% milk)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 12 count muffin pan with cupcake liners or spray the cups with a non-stick baking spray.

For the apple fritter muffins:

1. Peel and finely chop granny smith apples and place in a medium bowl. Toss the apples with granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg.

2. In a small bowl mix brown sugar, ground nutmeg, and ground cinnamon together. Set aside. 

3. Using a stand mixer and paddle attachment beat butter on medium speed until creamy. Add granulated sugar.

4. Add vanilla and eggs one at a time. Beat for 1 minute on low speed after the addition of each egg.

5. Mix all-purpose flour with baking powder in a medium bowl. Add to butter mixture beating on low speed.

6. Add milk to batter until smooth.

7. In each muffin cup fill 2/3 full with batter, top with a small spoonful of apples, and 1/2 tablespoon of brown sugar, ground nutmeg, and ground cinnamon mixture.

8. Lightly pat apples into batter using the back of a spoon.

9. Pour the remaining batter over each of the apple layers. Top with a small spoonful of apples and 1/2 tablespoon of brown sugar, ground nutmeg, and ground cinnamon.

10. Lightly pat apples into batter using the back of a spoon.

11. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until toothpick is inserted in the middle and comes out clean. 

12. Cool muffins in muffin cups for 5 minutes. Remove muffins for muffins cups and place on cooling rack until cooled completely. 

For the cinnamon glaze: 

1. Place powdered sugar, pure vanilla extract, milk and powdered sugar in a small bowl.

2.  Stir ingredients with a whisk until combined.

We have made it to the halfway point of another week. I still can't believe that it is November and 2015 will be here before we all know it. Where has the time gone? Have a great Wednesday everyone. What is your favorite fruit to bake with during the Fall season? 

Notes:

Can be stored in an airtight container for 3 days and refrigerated for 5 days.

To freeze place in a zip loc freezer bag.

Apple fritter muffins recipe adapted from The Baking ChocolaTess.


Savor The Baking,
Chineka