Nyla here from Grill Drip, ready to whisk you away on a flavor adventure! Get ready to transform an ordinary breakfast into a show-stopping treat with my incredible Apple Rose Muffins. These aren’t just muffins; they’re edible art, bursting with warm cinnamon-apple goodness in every single bite.

I remember experimenting with this recipe late one night, trying to make something truly special. The kitchen was a mess, but the aroma of apples and cinnamon filled the air. The first batch of Apple Rose Muffins emerged from the oven, and it was pure magic. What began as a happy accident quickly became a family favorite. This Apple Rose Muffins recipe turns every meal into something special, I’m so excited to share it with you. Now, let’s get baking!

INGREDIENTS You Need

Here’s what you’ll need to whip up a batch of these stunning Apple Rose Muffins. This ingredient list is all about bold flavors that actually work together!

2 cups all-purpose flour: The foundation of our muffins.
¾ cup granulated sugar: For that perfect touch of sweetness.
2 tsp baking powder: Helps the muffins rise beautifully.
½ tsp baking soda: Adds a light and airy texture.
1 tsp ground cinnamon: For that warm, comforting spice.
½ tsp ground nutmeg: A hint of cozy flavor.
½ tsp salt: Balances the sweetness.
1 cup milk: Adds moisture and richness. No worries if you don’t have milk, I use almond milk all the time in my Apple Rose Muffins!
½ cup vegetable oil: Keeps the muffins moist.
1 large egg: Binds the ingredients together.
1 tsp vanilla extract: Enhances the other flavors. You can grab this during your normal shopping trip.
3 medium apples (Gala, Honeycrisp, or Fuji): Cored and thinly sliced. This Apple Rose Muffins gets its amazing taste from those delicious apples!
2 tbsp lemon juice: Prevents the apples from browning and adds a touch of tartness.
2 tbsp melted butter: For brushing the apple roses.
2 tbsp sugar mixed with ½ tsp cinnamon: For sprinkling on top. I love adding extra cinnamon to my Apple Rose Muffins for that extra kick!

Storage tips for freshness: Store these Apple Rose Muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them for up to 2 months. Just make sure they are completely cooled before freezing.

Let’s Make Some!

Alright, let’s get down to business and create these gorgeous Apple Rose Muffins together! Follow these steps, and you’ll be enjoying warm, delicious muffins in no time.

Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners. This is where the delicious magic starts happening!
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, vegetable oil, egg, and vanilla extract.
Mix Wet and Dry: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Do not overmix! A few lumps are okay.
Prepare Apples: In a medium bowl, toss the thinly sliced apples with lemon juice to prevent browning. I learned this the hard way by getting soggy, brown apples.
Create Apple Roses: To make the apple roses, take about 6-8 apple slices and overlap them slightly, forming a line. Then, starting at one end, roll the apple slices tightly to create a rose shape. This is my favorite part of making Apple Rose Muffins – watch the magic happen!
Assemble Muffins: Fill each muffin liner about ¾ full with batter. Gently press an apple rose into the center of each muffin.
Brush and Sprinkle: Brush the apple roses with melted butter and sprinkle with the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
Bake: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. In my kitchen, these Apple Rose Muffins usually takes about 22 minutes to bake.
Cool and Enjoy: Let the muffins cool in the tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. While your Apple Rose Muffins is doing its thing, get ready for some amazing aromas!

How to Serve Up This!

Now that you’ve baked these beautiful Apple Rose Muffins, let’s talk about how to serve them up in style! People literally do happy dances when these Apple Rose Muffins hits the table with a dollop of whipped cream!

Warm with Coffee or Tea: Serve these muffins warm with a cup of your favorite coffee or tea for a cozy breakfast or brunch.
With Whipped Cream or Ice Cream: Top them with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful dessert.
As Part of a Brunch Spread: Include them in a larger brunch spread with other pastries, fruits, and savory dishes. If you’re loving this comfort food twist, you’ll go crazy for my Hawaiian Pineapple Carrot Cream Cake!
Gift Giving: Package them in a cute box or basket to give as a thoughtful homemade gift.
Perfect Occasions: These Apple Rose Muffins are perfect for those weeknight dinners that need to be special! They’re also amazing for holiday breakfasts, special occasions, or just a weekend treat.
Bold Flavor Pairings: Pair these muffins with a side of crispy bacon or a slice of sharp cheddar cheese for a delightful sweet and savory combination.
Presentation Ideas: Dust them with powdered sugar or drizzle them with a light glaze for an extra touch of elegance. These are so unique and make an elegant snack!
Leftover Transformations: Turn leftover muffins into a delicious bread pudding by cubing them, soaking them in a custard mixture, and baking until golden brown.
Fusion Variations: Experiment with adding a touch of cardamom or ginger to the batter for an unexpected twist.

When I serve these Apple Rose Muffins, the reaction is always the same: pure delight! The combination of the warm, spiced muffin and the beautiful apple rose is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

FAQs:

Here are some frequently asked questions about making Apple Rose Muffins. Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered!

Q: Will kitchen newbies succeed with this Apple Rose Muffins?

A: Absolutely! This recipe is straightforward and easy to follow. Take your time with the apple roses, and don’t worry if they’re not perfect. Imperfection is part of the charm!

Q: What if I mess up my Apple Rose Muffins? (Spoiler: it’ll still taste incredible!)

A: Even if your apple roses aren’t picture-perfect or your muffins aren’t perfectly uniform, they will still taste amazing. The combination of apples, cinnamon, and nutmeg is hard to mess up! My family taste-tested a lot of mishaps and loved them all.

Q: How can I prep this Apple Rose Muffins for busy weeknights?

A: You can slice the apples ahead of time and store them in lemon juice in the refrigerator. You can also mix the dry ingredients and wet ingredients separately and combine them just before baking.

Q: Can I use different types of apples?

A: Yes! Gala, Honeycrisp, Fuji, and Pink Lady apples all work well. Choose apples that are firm and slightly tart for the best flavor.

Q: Can I make vegan apple rose muffins?

A: Yes, you can! Substitute the milk with almond or soy milk, the egg with a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water), and the butter with vegan butter.

Q: What if I don’t have muffin liners?

A: You can grease the muffin tin well with butter or cooking spray instead of using liners. Just make sure to grease it thoroughly to prevent the muffins from sticking.

Q: How do I store these muffins?

A: Store the muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months. Reheat them in the microwave or oven for a few minutes to warm them up.

Q: Can I add nuts or other ingredients to the batter?

A: Absolutely! Feel free to add chopped walnuts, pecans, or raisins to the batter for extra flavor and texture.

These answers come from my own Apple Rose Muffins experiments and discoveries. So get ready to make some delicious creations!

CONCLUSION:

These Apple Rose Muffins bring me so much joy because they’re not only delicious but also beautiful. They’re the perfect way to brighten up any morning or make any occasion feel a little more special.

My Apple Rose Muffins Flavor Secrets:

Don’t overmix the batter: Overmixing can lead to tough muffins. Mix until just combined.
Use fresh, high-quality apples: The flavor of the apples is key to the success of this recipe.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with spices: Add a pinch of cardamom or ginger for a unique twist.

Here are a few delicious Apple Rose Muffins variations I’ve tested:

Caramel Apple Rose Muffins: Drizzle caramel sauce over the apple roses before baking.
Cranberry Apple Rose Muffins: Add dried cranberries to the batter for a festive twist, especially around the holidays.
Nutella Apple Rose Muffins: Swirl a spoonful of Nutella into the batter before adding the apple roses.

These Apple Rose Muffins are amazing for brunch, dessert or as a quick snack. Trust your taste buds and get creative in the kitchen! I am so excited for you to try this Apple Rose Muffins recipe and create your own edible masterpieces. For more weeknight winners that don’t sacrifice on taste, check out my Egg Muffins with Spinach and Feta recipe! Happy baking, and remember to have fun! For another way to enjoy apples in a baked treat, you may enjoy this Easy Apple Cinnamon Muffins Recipe. If you are looking for an even more elegant Apple Rose Muffins recipe, I suggest you try Baked Apple Roses With Puff Pastry – My Cooking Journey.

Apple Rose Muffins

Print Recipe

These elegant Apple Rose Muffins combine the comforting flavors of apple pie with the delicate beauty of a rose. Perfect for a special breakfast or a delightful dessert, they’re surprisingly easy to make and sure to impress!

Author: Nyla
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Yield: 12 muffins
Category: Dessert
Method: Baked
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 medium apples (such as Honeycrisp or Gala), thinly sliced
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons brown sugar, for sprinkling

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
In a separate large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
In a small bowl, toss the thinly sliced apple with lemon juice to prevent browning.
To assemble the roses, take about 5-6 apple slices and arrange them in a slightly overlapping row. Gently roll the row up tightly to form a rose shape.
Fill each muffin liner about 2/3 full with batter. Place an apple rose on top of each muffin.
Sprinkle the tops of the muffins with brown sugar.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
Let the muffins cool in the tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

For an extra touch of flavor, brush the tops of the cooled muffins with melted apricot jam for a glossy finish.