Description
Can you smell it? That crisp, golden scent of autumn sneaking through your window? These muffins combine tart-sweet apples with the gentle tang of sourdough discard, wrapped in tender crumb and cinnamon sugar. No fancy tools—just a spoon, a muffin tin, and a cozy kitchen vibe. Let’s bake joy!
Ingredients
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½ cup sourdough discard (unfed)
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½ cup unsalted butter (melted and cooled)
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½ cup granulated sugar
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½ cup packed brown sugar
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2 large eggs (room temp)
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1 tsp vanilla extract
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½ cup milk (whole or dairy-free)
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1½ cups all-purpose flour (spoon & level)
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1 tsp baking powder
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½ tsp baking soda
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1 tsp ground cinnamon
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½ tsp salt (omit if using salted butter)
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1½ cups diced apples (Honeycrisp or Gala, peel on or off)
Topping (optional but heavenly)
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2 tbsp sugar
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½ tsp cinnamon
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Pinch cardamom (optional)
Instructions
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Prep: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with liners or grease well.
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Mix wet: In a large bowl, whisk melted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until glossy. Add eggs, vanilla, sourdough discard, and milk; whisk until smooth.
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Mix dry: In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
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Combine: Fold dry ingredients gently into wet until no dry streaks remain. Lumps are OK—overmixing = tough muffins!
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Add apples: Toss diced apples with 1 tsp flour (keeps them from sinking), then fold into batter.
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Fill tins: Scoop batter into muffin cups nearly full. Sprinkle tops generously with cinnamon sugar topping.
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Bake: Bake 18-22 minutes, rotating halfway, until tops spring back and a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs.
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Cool: Let muffins cool 5 minutes in tin, then transfer to wire rack. Resist slicing for 10 mins—they’re still setting.
Notes
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Nutty Professor: Fold ⅓ cup toasted pecans or walnuts into batter.
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Spice Explorer: Add ¼ tsp nutmeg + ⅛ tsp cloves to dry mix.
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Vegan Vibes: Use flax eggs, vegan butter, and almond milk.
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Berry Burst: Swap ½ cup apples for frozen cranberries (floured first).
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Gluten-Free: Use 1:1 gluten-free flour blend + ½ tsp xanthan gum.
Nutrition
- Calories: 220 cal Per Serving
- Sugar: 15g
- Fat: 9g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Protein: 3g