Fall is in the air, which means apple season is just around the corner. These muffins are the perfect cozy fall snack with comforting cinnamon and nutmeg. The scent of spiced apples filling your kitchen will make you want to throw on a sweater and head to an apple orchard.
I had to incorporate brown butter, because its rich flavor pairs so nicely with autumnal flavors. It’s a bit more work to brown the butter, but it adds more depth to the buttery flavor of the muffin. Browning butter is actually quite simple, but you have to keep a close eye on it because it can burn fast if you’re not paying attention (or perhaps trying to multi-task too much, like me).
To brown butter, put the stick of butter on a frying pan on low heat. As the butter melts, stir frequently to keep it from burning. Once you start to see little brown flecks forming, stir constantly until the melted butter turns more brown in color. Then, remove from heat and let cool.
While the brown butter cools, finely chop 2 cups worth of apples. I prefer Gala apples, but use whichever kind you prefer. Set the chopped apples aside to add to batter later.
Next, combine all the dry ingredients in a separate mixing bowl. Then, add the wet ingredients (including your cooled brown butter) and stir together until batter is well combined. Lastly, fold in your chopped apple pieces.
Pour muffin batter into lined (or greased) muffin tin. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 – 25 minutes. Makes 1 dozen muffins.
Apple Oat Muffins with Brown Butter
- 1.5 Cups all-purpose flour
- 1.5 Cups rolled oats
- 3/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2.5 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 Cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 Cup unsalted butter, browned
- 1 Cup 100% apple juice (not from concentrate)
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups finely chopped apples, unpeeled
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Brown butter: Put stick of butter into frying pan over low-heat. Let butter melt completely, stirring often. Once butter is all melted, lightly stir until little brown flecks start to form. Then, continuously stir until butter is tinted brown. Remove from heat and let cool.
- Chop 2 cups worth of unpeeled apples into fine pieces. Set aside.
- In large mixing bowl, combine all dry ingredients.
- Add cooled brown butter to dry ingredients, along with the rest of the wet ingredients. Stir until well combined.
- Fold in chopped apple pieces.
- Pour batter into lined (or greased) muffin tins.
- Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 – 25 minutes.
*Makes 1 dozen medium muffins.
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