Gluten-Free Apple Butter Muffins

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Muffins are the perfect way to use leftover apple butter. These apple butter muffins are moist, delicious, and packed with apple flavor. 

They are made with a special ingredient: chai vanilla spice. The chai spice gives these apple butter muffins a warm, irresistibly delicious spice flavor. 

What Can Apple Butter Be Used For

You can use apple butter in so many ways. You can use apple butter to make these apple butter muffins or smear it on toast. 

You can stir a few tablespoons of apple butter into your oatmeal. Apple butter also makes a delicious topping for pancakes and waffles. 

Instead of using pumpkin or applesauce, you can substitute apple butter in your baked goods. You can also swirl the apple butter into your cakes and cupcakes. 

Can I Swap Applesauce For Apple Butter

Technically, you can substitute applesauce in place of apple butter. Applesauce’s consistency is similar to apple butter, so it is a suitable substitute. However, the apple flavor will not be as intense as if you were to use apple butter.   

Are Applesauce And Apple Butter The Same Thing

Apple butter and apple sauce are not the same thing. Apple butter is cooked longer, giving it a concentrated, rich apple flavor. 

In contrast, apple sauce is cooked for a shorter time until the apples break down in a sauce. Applesauce also has a looser texture, while apple butter has a thicker jam-like texture. 

Tips For Making Apple Butter Muffins

• Use silicone muffin liners. Gluten-free muffins can stick to paper liners even if you spray them with non-stick spray. Using silicone muffin liners eliminates this issue. The muffins slide right out of the liners. 
• Scoop the muffin batter into the pan with an ice cream scoop. It’s easier than using a measuring cup or spoon to add the muffin batter to the pan. An ice cream scoop also creates evenly sized-muffins. 
• Let the apple butter muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Then, remove them from the silicone muffin liners and place them on a cooling rack. If you do not remove the muffin liners, the muffins will develop a soggy bottom.

Ingredient Swaps And Substitutions

Apple butter muffins are very forgiving. So you can customize it to make it your own. 

• Use apple sauce. We used our sugar-free apple butter to make these apple butter muffins. However, you can use store-bought apple butter or applesauce instead of sugar-free apple butter. 
• Use melted butter. If you do not like coconut oil, use melted butter or vegetable oil. 
• Make them vegan. Use flaxseed eggs in place of eggs. Combine 3 tablespoons of ground flaxseeds with 9 tablespoons of water and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it thickens. 
• Make the muffins paleo. Use unsweetened apple butter or apple butter sweetened with maple syrup, honey, or coconut sugar instead of regular or sugar-free apple butter. Replace the gluten-free flour mixture with 3/4 cup of blanched almond flour, 3/4 cup of cassava flour, and 1/2 cup of arrowroot starch. 
• Add nuts or raisins. Add 1/2 cup of chopped pecans, walnuts, raisins, or cranberries into the muffin batter right before you scoop it into the pan. It will give the muffins some texture. 

How To Store Apple Butter Muffins 

Let the apple butter muffins cool completely. Place the apple butter muffins into an airtight container or ziplock bag in an even layer.

The muffins will last at room temperature for 3-4 days. However, you can also store the muffins in the fridge for 3-4 days. 

Can I Freeze Apple Butter Muffins

Yes, you freeze apple butter muffins. To store apple butter muffins in the freezer, let them cool completely. 

Place the apple butter muffins into a ziplock bag or a freezer-safe airtight container and place them in the freezer. The apple butter muffins will last for 2-3 months. 

How To Reheat Apple Butter Muffins 

If you are reheating frozen apple butter muffins, let them thaw on your countertop for 1-2 hours. To reheat the muffins, place them into the microwave and heat them for 30-60 seconds until they are warm. You can also reheat the apple butter muffins in a 325°F oven for 10-16 minutes until they are warm. 

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