Upside-Down Caramel Apple Muffins

Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Servings: 12
Yield: 12 servings

Description

This upside-down caramel apple muffin recipe features soft, tender apples and chopped walnuts, covered in a brown sugar-caramel glaze and best served hot.

Ingredients

3 baking apples, peeled and sliced
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
1 pinch salt
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon apple pie spice
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup butter, melted
3/4 cup applesauce
3 tablespoons buttermilk
1 egg, lightly beaten
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1 Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a 12-cup muffin tin.
2 Combine apples, ½ cup brown sugar, ½ cup butter, and 1 pinch salt in a large skillet over medium-high heat; cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and syrupy, about 30 minutes. Stir in walnuts. Divide apple mixture among the prepared muffin cups. Set aside.
3 Whisk flour, ½ cup brown sugar, baking powder, apple pie spice, baking soda, and ⅛ teaspoon salt together in a large bowl until well combined; make a small well in the center. Set aside.
4 Whisk ¾ cup melted butter, applesauce, buttermilk, egg, and vanilla extract together in a medium bowl until smooth; pour into well in flour mixture. Mix until just combined; batter should be lumpy. Pour batter over apple mixture in the muffin cups.
5 Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into centers comes out clean, 15 to 20 minutes. Cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Run a knife around edges of each muffin, then carefully invert the tin onto a serving platter. Serve muffins hot.