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I think I owe you guys an apology.
I’m a jerk. A big, mean jerk.
I skipped right over the apples and went straight for the pumpkin recipes and now we’re all tired of pumpkin and jonesing for some apples. Or is that just me? I don’t think it’s just me, according to the people on my Facebook page who whine when I share yet another pumpkin recipe.
So, this is me, begging for forgiveness with a cinnamon sugar coated apple recipe.
These little mini muffins bake up light and fluffy and then they’re dipped in melted butter (oodles of it!!) and rolled through cinnamon and sugar to make that delectable crunchy exterior you find on all the best donuts. So, are these donuts or are they muffins? I think they’re a delightful mix of both. (I feel like a thesaurus today…delectable, delightful, what in the world?)
Now, before we jump to the recipe, tell me the truth about something. These photos. What do you think??
Nikon recently reached out to me (me!!) and asked if I’d like to review the Nikon d3300 DSLR camera. <—- Is this real life?
Nikon. Contacted me. Me. Contacted by Nikon. Breathe, Karly. You can pull through this.
I’ve been a Nikon girl since the minute I got interested in photography. I went to a camera shop and tested all the DSLRs I could and Nikon and I just clicked (get it? Clicked?). It’s been true love ever since.
So, in my best fan girl voice, I said holy heck, yes I will review your camera. I normally shoot with a Nikon d700 which is a full frame (read: awesome) professional level camera. Testing out and reviewing the Nikon d3300 was going to be tricky, I thought.
I needn’t have worried. I’m super thrilled with this little camera. It is SO lightweight, although keep in mind my current set up weighs nearly 4 pounds. If you’re coming from a point and shoot, it will probably feel heavy to you. I, however, am planning keeping this guy around for travel. I hate hate hate lugging heavy cameras around but I also hate compromising on quality. The d3300 is a great compromise for me!
It has all the important features you’d expect, with 24.2 megapixels (you could print a billboard if you wanted to), 5 frames per second (which means you can shoot five pictures in 1 second…you can totally catch the action shots with that feature!), 11 autofocus points so you can focus where you need to, and a guide mode to help you figure out just what the heck you’re doing!
I love the way the info is displayed on the back of the camera. I’m a very visual person and this is an awesome, easy to read setup!
Did I mention the wi-fi capability? Add the optional WU-1a Wireless Adapter and you can set it up to have your images pop up on your compatible smartphones and tablets, making sharing a total breeze!
So, here is my unbiased opinion of this camera…it’s a great camera for an amateur/hobbyist who wants to take quality photos without investing a boatload of time into it. Starting a blog? Interested in photography? Want to photograph your kids ballet recitals and football games? This is your camera. Buy it on Amazon and you can have it in just a couple days.
Applesauce Donut Muffins
Ingredients
- 1 cup softened butter divided
- 1 1/2 cups sugar divided
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup cinnamon applesauce
- 2 cups flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon divided
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a mini muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat together 1/2 cup of butter and 1 cup of sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, vanilla, and applesauce until well combined.
- Gradually stir in the flour, baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon.
- Fill the muffin wells 2/3 full. Bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean.
- Let cool for 10 minutes before carefully removing the muffins from the tin.
- Melt the remaining 1/2 cup of butter. Place in a small bowl.
- Stir together the remaining 1/2 cup of sugar and teaspoon of cinnamon and place in a second small bowl.
- Dunk each muffin in the butter and then roll in the cinnamon sugar mixture to coat.
Nutrition Information:
I received this camera, as well as a second lens, as compensation for my time in writing this review. As always, all opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links.
Jessy @ The Life Jolie says
Oh my gosh- these look like the perfect fall breakfast! I especially love the cinnamon and sugar coating. They add the best texture! I’ll be making these for sure- my two year old will be thrilled!
Sara says
The first time I made these, they came out a little too sweet for my liking so I’d like to cut the sugar by half. Any idea if this will change the consistency? And if so, can I substitute something else to even it out?
Karly says
I would probably use unsweetened applesauce rather than reduce the sugar. You could also leave off the sugary coating on the outside to reduce the sweetness.
Martha says
Love your muffins and camara!! I alredy make them, great taste! question can I freeze them? Thanks!
Martha says
Love your muffins!! I alredy maked them!! soogood! Love your new camara !I have a D 40 need to look for that one!Question can I freeze the muffins? Thanks!!
Karly says
I’ve never tried it, but I’m sure they’d freeze just like any other muffins. 🙂
Danielle Clarke says
I have been wanting to make donut muffins for a while now (not entirely sure how or why I keep forgetting to try them!) These look like the perfect recipe! Thanks!!!
Cheryl says
These were AMAZING!!!!!!!!! The recipe made more than 24 muffins. But I’m certainly not complaining!!! Very addicting!
Ronda says
Made them last night as have wanted to since you posted them! Wonderful hubby loved them! But I filled my Wilton 24 min muffin tin then almost filled it again! I ended up with over 40 little Apple donut muffins. Wonder how that happened?
Karly says
Hmm, you’re the second person to say that! I’m not sure why that’s happening, unless I’m just filling mine much more full than you. Sorry about that, but hey! Extra muffins! 🙂
Anne says
I just made these and I must say, I’m not impressed. There’s no apple taste and to call them doughnuts is a stretch in my book (unless you’re referring to the fact that they’re covered in cinnamon sugar). They’re basically just a cinnamon sugar mini muffin. Meh.
Karly says
Sorry you weren’t a fan!
Kat Hughes says
These muffins are – were – delicious!
I baked them in a Pampered Chef mini muffin pan (24) and ended up with another 20 mini muffins – not a bad thing!! But why so much extra batter?
Karly says
That’s really strange! I use a 24 mini muffin pan too. I’m not sure why you would have had so much, unless you just didn’t fill your wells as full as I did.
Aliza P| says
How long do these keep?|
I wouldn’t have time for the weekend so I made them now, but was hoping they keep for a few days or are able to be frozen and defrosted well…
Thoughts?
Karly says
I would freeze them before dunking them in butter and sugar. Thaw at room temp and dunk and coat the day you’ll be serving them.
Aliza P says
Darn!
If I’ve already dunked them, will they keep til Friday night, out or in the fridge?
Curious says
Self rising or plain flour?
Fanny says
Seriously, I need at least a dozen of these goodies RIGHT NOW!!!!!!
Phi @ The Sweetphi Blog says
What an absolutely delicious sounding recipe…and omg, the camera, sooo beautiful, I swoon!
Melanie @ Carmel Moments says
In love with these donut muffins! Your photos are always incredible Karly!
What a nice compensation, lens and a camera…sweet!
Joanne says
Just, you know NIKON. NBD.
I’m actually a Canon girl, but I hope we can still be friends.
Also, how am I going to get out of bed tomorrow without these muffins?! It’s going to be rough.
Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love. says
Donuts and muffins in one! Sign me up for a dozen please!