Save to Pinterest Moist, tender muffin bites packed with fresh apples, a touch of bourbon, and a gooey caramel center—perfect for autumn gatherings or a cozy treat.
I first made these muffin bites for a chilly weekend get-together, and they quickly became the star of our dessert table. The caramel center was a delightful surprise that everyone loved.
What's for Dinner Tonight? 🤔
Stop stressing. Get 10 fast recipes that actually work on busy nights.
Free. No spam. Just easy meals.
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour: 1 1/2 cups (190 g)
- Granulated sugar: 1/2 cup (100 g)
- Light brown sugar: 1/4 cup (50 g), packed
- Baking powder: 1 1/2 tsp
- Baking soda: 1/2 tsp
- Ground cinnamon: 1/2 tsp
- Salt: 1/4 tsp
- Unsalted butter: 1/2 cup (120 ml), melted and cooled
- Buttermilk: 1/3 cup (80 ml), at room temperature
- Eggs: 2 large, at room temperature
- Bourbon: 2 tbsp
- Vanilla extract: 1 tsp
- Apple: 1 medium (about 150 g), peeled, cored, and finely diced
- Soft caramel candies: 24 (or 1/2-inch caramel pieces)
- Granulated sugar (for topping): 2 tbsp
- Ground cinnamon (for topping): 1/2 tsp
Tired of Takeout? 🥡
Get 10 meals you can make faster than delivery arrives. Seriously.
One email. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Instructions
- Preheat & Prep:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 24-cup mini muffin tin or line with mini paper liners.
- Mix Dry Ingredients:
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
- Mix Wet Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together melted butter, buttermilk, eggs, bourbon, and vanilla until smooth.
- Combine Batter:
- Add wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Add Apples:
- Fold in the diced apple.
- Fill Muffin Tin:
- Spoon about 1 tablespoon of batter into each mini muffin cup. Press a caramel candy piece gently into the center of each, then cover with a little more batter to enclose the caramel.
- Top & Bake:
- Mix topping sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Sprinkle evenly over each muffin bite. Bake for 16–18 minutes, or until the tops are golden and a toothpick inserted beside the caramel comes out clean.
- Cool & Serve:
- Let cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.
Save to Pinterest These muffin bites have become a family favorite for cool-weather movie nights, especially when served warm right out of the oven.
Still Scrolling? You'll Love This 👇
Our best 20-minute dinners in one free pack — tried and tested by thousands.
Trusted by 10,000+ home cooks.
Required Tools
Mini muffin tin (24-cup), mixing bowls, whisk, rubber spatula, and wire rack are needed for easy preparation and perfect results.
Allergen Information
Muffin bites contain wheat, eggs, dairy, and possibly nuts or soy from the caramel candies. The recipe also contains alcohol (bourbon), which can be substituted as desired.
Nutritional Information
Each muffin bite has around 105 calories, 4.2 g of total fat, 15 g carbohydrates, and 1.2 g protein: a satisfying little treat for dessert lovers.
Save to Pinterest 
With their soft crumb and gooey center, these muffin bites offer the ultimate fall dessert experience. Share them warm for a crowd-pleasing finish.
