Irresistible Dried Apricot Muffins with Homemade Caramel & Almond Topping

Imagine waking up to the aroma of freshly baked goods, a delightful scent that promises a day filled with sweetness. These incredible Dried Apricot Muffins with Homemade Caramel & Almond Topping are exactly that – a perfect start to any day, or a splendid pick-me-up afternoon treat. Say goodbye to dull mornings and hello to a symphony of flavors and textures in every bite! This easy muffin recipe combines a tender, moist crumb with a rich, gooey caramel topping, brightened by zesty lemon and studded with chewy dried apricots and crunchy slivered almonds. It’s truly a breakfast dream come true.

Delicious dried apricot breakfast muffins, with homemade caramel topping, sprinkled with melted chocolate after baking. — Wake up to something truly special with these delightful homemade dried apricot muffins.

Why You’ll Absolutely Love This Dried Apricot Muffin Recipe

These apricot-infused treats are more than just muffins; they’re a little bit of magic baked into your day. You will adore this recipe because:

Homebaked Elegance: These adorable muffins not only look incredibly charming and professional but also taste so exquisite that your friends and family will think a gourmet chef crafted them. The delicate crumb and artful topping elevate them from a simple breakfast item to an elegant sweet treat, perfect for entertaining or a special personal indulgence.
Caramel Crunch Perfection: Prepare your taste buds for an unforgettable experience. Each bite delivers a harmonious blend of luscious, homemade caramel melding beautifully with the sweet, tangy apricot and a subtle hint of lemon. The addition of slivered almonds provides an irresistible crunch, creating a dynamic texture that keeps you coming back for more. It’s a truly perfect bite, bursting with balanced flavors and satisfying textures.
Morning Magic Made Easy: Imagine waking up to a delicious, ready-made breakfast. These apricot muffins are ideal for meal prepping; bake a batch on Sunday evening, and you’ll have an effortless, delectable breakfast ready to go for the entire week. Starting your mornings with such a delightful homemade treat is guaranteed to put a smile on your face and set a positive tone for your day.
Easy Meets Incredible: Despite their sophisticated appearance and complex flavor profile, these homemade muffins are surprisingly simple to make. My Dried Apricot Muffins boast so many wonderful surprises in both texture and taste – from the chewy apricots to the crunchy almonds and the smooth caramel – yet the steps are straightforward and easy enough for any home baker, regardless of skill level.
The Ultimate Coffee Pairing: There’s no better companion to your morning coffee or a warm cup of tea than one of these delightful apricot and caramel muffins. The rich, slightly bitter notes of coffee perfectly complement the sweet and fruity flavors of the muffin, creating a balanced and utterly satisfying breakfast experience. They also make a fantastic addition to any brunch spread.

🥘 Key Ingredients for Your Apricot Muffins

Crafting these exceptional dried apricot muffins with caramel topping relies on a selection of quality ingredients, each playing a crucial role in achieving their delicious flavor and perfect texture. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need and why:

Butter: This essential ingredient forms the rich, tender, and spongy base of your muffins, contributing to their luxurious texture. It’s also fundamental for creating the silky, luscious homemade caramel topping. For best results, opt for unsalted butter to have full control over the salt content in your recipe. Ensure it’s softened to room temperature for optimal creaming.
Brown Sugar: Brown sugar is key for adding a wonderfully chewy sweetness and a subtle molasses flavor to these muffins. Its moist texture also helps keep the muffins incredibly tender. It’s also used in the delectable apricot caramel topping, providing a depth of flavor that granulated sugar simply can’t match.
Kosher Salt: A small pinch of kosher salt is a flavor enhancer, not just a seasoning. It wonderfully brings out the complex sweet and fruity notes of the apricots and caramel, balancing the overall sweetness and preventing the muffins from tasting one-dimensional.
Lemon Zest: The zest from citrus fruit is packed with aromatic oils, offering a wonderfully pronounced and bright flavor. I love adding lemon zest to these sweet and fruity muffins as it provides a fantastic counterpoint to the richness, adding a fresh, vibrant lift to every bite.
Lemon Juice: A touch of fresh lemon juice does wonders for this bake. It not only enhances the brightness of the lemon zest but also helps to activate the baking powder, contributing to the muffins’ rise. Furthermore, it subtly amplifies the natural sweetness of the apricots.
Egg: Fresh eggs are crucial for binding the ingredients together, providing structure, and acting as a leavening agent that helps the muffins rise. They also enrich the batter, contributing to a tender crumb and a richer flavor in these yummy bites.
Cake Flour: This type of flour is finely milled and has a lower protein content compared to all-purpose flour. Using cake flour results in an exceptionally light, airy, and tender crumb, making your muffins wonderfully soft and delicate yet still deliciously chewy. If you don’t have cake flour, you can substitute with all-purpose flour by removing 2 tablespoons per cup and replacing it with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch.
Baking Powder: A leavening agent, baking powder is vital for ensuring that these muffins rise beautifully to be big, fluffy, and utterly delicious. It creates air pockets in the batter, giving the muffins their characteristic airy texture.
Milk: Adding milk to the muffin batter infuses them with a rich dairy flavor and provides the necessary moisture for a tender, soft interior. Use whole milk for the best flavor and texture.
Heavy Cream: This thick, rich dairy product is indispensable for creating the incredibly luscious, smooth, and decadent caramel topping. Its high-fat content ensures a creamy texture that sets beautifully.
Honey: Honey brings a unique, complex sweetness and a beautiful depth of flavor to the caramel. It also contributes to the caramel’s smooth texture and helps prevent crystallization, ensuring a perfect pourable consistency.
Dried Apricots: These are the star of our show! Dried apricots add an awesome fruity chew and an intense, concentrated apricot flavor to the muffins. Using dried fruits makes this recipe incredibly convenient to make and enjoy all year round, regardless of fresh apricot season.
Slivered Almonds: The slivered almonds are a game-changer, adding an incredible, satisfying crunch to the topping. This textural contrast makes biting into these muffins an exciting and delightful experience, complementing the soft muffin and gooey caramel.
Dark Chocolate: A delicate drizzle of melted dark chocolate after baking adds a splendid, sophisticated bitter contrast to all the bright, sweet, and fruity flavors in these treats. It also provides a beautiful visual garnish, making your muffins even more appealing.

For precise quantities of each ingredient, please refer to the comprehensive recipe card provided below.

🔪 Easy Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps to create your own batch of heavenly dried apricot muffins with homemade caramel:

Step One: Prepare for Baking. Begin by preheating your oven to 180°C (356°F). This ensures a consistent baking temperature from the moment your muffins enter the oven. Next, line a 6-cup muffin pan with paper liners. This not only makes for easy removal but also helps keep your muffins moist and prevents sticking.

Step Two: Cream the Wet Ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, using a hand mixer or a stand mixer with a whisk attachment, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and a pinch of kosher salt until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color. This step is crucial for incorporating air into the batter, which contributes to a light and tender muffin texture.

Step Three: Incorporate Flavor and Binder. To the creamed butter mixture, add the bright lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, and the egg. Mix thoroughly until all these wet ingredients are fully combined and the mixture is smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is well incorporated.

Step Four: Alternate Dry and Wet. In a separate bowl, whisk together the cake flour and baking powder. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix on low speed just until everything is combined and no streaks of flour remain. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough muffins.

Step Five: Par-Bake the Muffin Bases. Using an ice cream scoop for even portions, divide the muffin batter equally among the prepared muffin cups. Place the muffin pan in the preheated oven and par-bake the muffins for approximately 15 minutes. This initial bake sets the muffin base, creating a sturdy foundation before we add our delicious caramel topping.

Divide the muffin batter between the tins. — Divide the perfectly mixed muffin batter into each cup.

Step Six: Prepare the Homemade Caramel. While your muffins are par-baking, prepare the luscious caramel topping. In a saucepan, combine the heavy cream, butter, brown sugar, and honey. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and let it cook for about 5 minutes, or until the caramel thickens slightly and reaches a rich, golden color. Remove from heat.

Step Seven: Add Apricots and Almonds to Caramel. Carefully chop the dried apricots into small, bite-sized pieces. Add these chopped apricots and the slivered almonds directly into the warm caramel mixture. Stir everything together gently until the fruit and nuts are evenly coated in the rich, sticky caramel. This creates an incredible texture and flavor for your muffin topping.

Combine heavy cream, butter, sugar, and honey. — Ingredients for the rich caramel topping come together.

Add the chopped dried apricots to the homemade caramel sauce. — Chopped dried apricots ready to be folded into the caramel.

Add the almond shavings. — Slivered almonds add a delightful crunch.

Mix almond slivers, homemade caramel and chopped dried apricots well. — Thoroughly mix the caramel, apricots, and almonds for a perfect topping.

Step Eight: Top and Finish Baking. Remove the par-baked muffins from the oven. Carefully spoon about a tablespoon of the warm caramel, apricot, and almond mixture onto the top of each muffin. Distribute the topping evenly. Return the muffin pan to the oven and continue baking for another 10-15 minutes, or until the muffins are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The caramel topping should be bubbly and slightly caramelized.

Top the pre baked muffins with your homemade caramel, apricot almond topping. — Generously top the par-baked muffins with the rich caramel and fruit mixture.

Delicious dried apricot breakfast muffins, with homemade caramel topping, in muffin rack. — Freshly baked and cooling, these apricot caramel muffins are a sight to behold.

Step Nine: Garnish and Serve. Once baked, remove the muffins from the oven and let them cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. In the meantime, melt the dark chocolate in a double-boiler or microwave. Drizzle the melted chocolate artfully over the finished muffins to garnish. This final touch adds an extra layer of flavor and elegance. Serve warm and enjoy these delightful caramelized apricot muffins!

Delicious dried apricot breakfast muffins, with homemade caramel topping, sprinkled with melted chocolate in muffin rack. — A final touch of dark chocolate drizzle elevates these muffins.

Delicious dried apricot breakfast muffins, with homemade caramel topping, sprinkled with melted chocolate in muffin rack, after baking. — Ready to be devoured!

👩‍🍳 Expert Tips for Perfect Muffins

Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure butter and egg are at room temperature. This allows them to cream together smoothly, creating a more cohesive and evenly textured batter.
Don’t Overmix: Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, leading to tough, chewy muffins. Mix the wet and dry ingredients just until combined – a few lumps are perfectly fine!
Measure Flour Correctly: For accurate baking, spoon your flour into the measuring cup and then level it off with the back of a knife. Scooping directly can pack too much flour, making your muffins dry.
Pre-Baking for Topping Success: The par-baking step is key for these muffins. It allows the muffin base to set before the caramel topping is added, preventing the heavy topping from sinking to the bottom and ensuring it stays beautifully on top.
Cooling is Crucial: While tempting to eat them hot, allow the muffins to cool slightly on a wire rack. This helps the caramel topping to set and makes them easier to handle, preventing a sticky mess.
Quality Dried Apricots: Choose plump, moist dried apricots for the best flavor and texture. If yours are a bit dry, you can soak them in warm water or orange juice for about 10-15 minutes, then drain thoroughly before chopping.

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

These homemade apricot muffins are incredibly versatile! They are, of course, a quintessential breakfast treat, pairing wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee, espresso, or a soothing tea. For a more indulgent experience, serve them warm with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for a delightful dessert. They also make an impressive addition to any brunch spread, afternoon tea, or as a sweet snack to curb those midday cravings. You can also offer them alongside a fresh fruit platter to balance the sweetness.

⚭ The Perfect Pairings

While these dried apricot muffins are fantastic on their own, they also complement a wide array of other delightful dishes. Here are some of our favorite recipes that would pair wonderfully with your freshly baked muffins, whether for a grand brunch or a simple sweet moment:

Banana Oatmeal Muffins {three ingredients} – for a lighter, healthy muffin option.
Apple Yogurt Breakfast Granola – a refreshing and crunchy contrast.
Gluten-Free Cinnamon Granola – adds another layer of spice and texture.
Easy Rice Pudding Breakfast – a creamy, comforting complement.
Apricot Compote – to double down on the apricot goodness or for a softer fruit accompaniment.
Apple Compote – a classic fruit topping that would be delicious.
Biscoff Granola – for a unique, spiced crunch.
Lavender Lemon Muffins – another vibrant and aromatic muffin choice.
Red Velvet Cupcakes without Buttermilk – for a more decadent dessert pairing.
Baileys Salted Caramel Cupcakes – if you’re looking for an even richer caramel experience.
Strawberry Cobbler – a fruity and warm dessert option.

🌡️ Storage & Freezing Tips

To ensure your delicious apricot and caramel muffins stay fresh and enjoyable for as long as possible, proper storage is key:

Room Temperature: These amazing apricot muffins can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. Make sure they are completely cooled before storing to prevent condensation, which can make them soggy.
Freezing: You can also easily freeze fully baked muffins to enjoy later. First, allow them to cool completely. Then, wrap each individual muffin tightly in plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Place the wrapped muffins in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to three months.
Thawing: To thaw frozen muffins, simply transfer them to the fridge overnight, or unwrap them and let them come to room temperature on the counter for a few hours. For a warm, freshly-baked experience, you can gently reheat them in a microwave for 20-30 seconds or in a preheated oven at 150°C (300°F) for about 5-10 minutes.

🫐 Delicious Variations to Try

While the classic dried apricot muffins with caramel and almonds are undeniably fantastic, there are so many delicious ways to twist this recipe up with fun fruity flavors and other additions. Don’t be afraid to get creative!

Different Dried Fruits: Try trading the apricots for dried cranberries for a festive, wintery mix with a tart kick. Or, swap them for chopped dried cherries, blueberries, or even a mix of tropical fruits like dried mango or pineapple to make a beautiful summery bite.
Nutty Alternatives: Instead of slivered almonds, you could use chopped walnuts, pecans, or even pistachios for a different flavor and crunch profile. Toasted nuts will enhance their flavor even further!
Spice It Up: A pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom in the muffin batter can add a lovely warmth and depth that complements the fruit and caramel beautifully.
Citrus Swaps: Experiment with orange zest and juice instead of lemon for a sweeter, more floral citrus note.
White Chocolate Drizzle: If dark chocolate isn’t your preference, a drizzle of melted white chocolate would also be a lovely and sweeter garnish.
Cream Cheese Swirl: For an extra decadent touch, try swirling a small dollop of sweetened cream cheese into the muffin batter before baking.

🍽 Essential Equipment

Having the right tools can make your baking experience smoother and more enjoyable. Here’s what you’ll need for these easy dried apricot muffins:

Muffin Pan and Muffin Cups: A standard six or twelve-cup muffin pan will work perfectly for this recipe. Using paper muffin cups not only gives your muffins an extra fun and professional look but also prevents them from sticking to the pan, making cleanup a breeze.
Mixer with Whisk Attachment: A hand mixer or a stand mixer is your best friend for efficiently creaming the butter and sugar and combining the wet ingredients. The whisk attachment ensures a light and airy batter.
Ice Cream Scoop: This simple tool is incredibly useful for portioning out the muffin batter evenly into the cups, ensuring all your muffins are uniform in size and bake consistently.
Saucepan: A small to medium saucepan is essential for preparing the homemade caramel topping. Choose one with a heavy bottom to prevent scorching.
Sharp Knife and Cutting Board: Necessary for safely and efficiently chopping your dried apricots and any other fruits or nuts you might add.
Double-Boiler (or Microwave-Safe Bowl): For melting chocolate gently and without burning, a double-boiler is ideal. Alternatively, a microwave-safe bowl can be used with short bursts of heating and stirring.

🙋🏻 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I Double This Muffin Batch?

Absolutely! This recipe yields about six tasty muffins, which is perfect for a small household or a quick treat. However, if you are feeding a crowd, preparing for a party, or simply want to stock up on these delicious homemade breakfast muffins, you can easily double the batch. Just make sure you have enough muffin pans and bowls to accommodate the larger quantities.

Can I Use Fresh Apricots Instead of Dried?

While dried apricots provide a concentrated sweetness and chewy texture that works perfectly in this recipe, you could experiment with fresh apricots. If using fresh, make sure they are ripe and finely diced. You might need to reduce the amount slightly as fresh apricots contain more water, which can affect the muffin’s texture. Also, consider tossing them lightly in a tablespoon of flour before adding to the batter to prevent them from sinking.

What if I don’t have cake flour?

No cake flour? No problem! You can easily make a substitute at home. For every cup of all-purpose flour, remove two tablespoons of flour and replace them with two tablespoons of cornstarch. Sift this mixture together a couple of times to ensure it’s well combined. This will mimic the lower protein content and finer texture of cake flour, giving you a tender muffin crumb.

How do I know if my caramel is cooked enough?

When simmering your caramel topping, you’re looking for it to thicken slightly and achieve a rich, golden amber color. A good test is to dip a spoon into the caramel; if it coats the back of the spoon, it’s likely ready. Be careful not to overcook, as it can burn quickly.

Discover More Delicious Recipes to Try

If you loved these dried apricot muffins, you’re in for a treat! Explore our other delightful recipes that promise to bring more flavor and joy to your kitchen:

Banana Oatmeal Muffins {three ingredients}
Apple Yogurt Breakfast Granola
Gluten-Free Cinnamon Granola
Easy Rice Pudding Breakfast
Apricot Compote
Apple Compote
Biscoff Granola
Lavender Lemon Muffins
Red Velvet Cupcakes without Buttermilk
Baileys Salted Caramel Cupcakes
Strawberry Cobbler
Fruit Cake Muffins

If you make this recipe, let me know how you liked it by ★★★★★ star rating it and leaving a comment below. Your feedback is truly awesome and helps other home bakers! You can also sign up for our Newsletter to receive weekly delicious homemade recipes directly to your inbox. Or follow me on Pinterest or Instagram and share your creation with me. Just tag me @combinegoodflavors and use the hashtag #combinegoodflavors, so I don’t miss your beautiful baking!

📖 Recipe Card

Dried Apricot Muffins with Caramel Topping

By Nora from Combine Good Flavors

These homemade dried apricot muffins, topped with a rich homemade caramel sauce and sprinkled with crunchy slivered almonds, make the perfect start to the day! They are creamy, crunchy, and chewy all at once, offering a delightful blend of textures and flavors. You’ll absolutely love these easy breakfast muffins!

5 from 28 votes

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Prep Time

10 minutes

Baking Time

25 minutes

Total Time

35 minutes

Course
Breakfast, Dessert, Sweet snack, Brunch

Cuisine
European, American

Servings

6
Muffins

Calories

432
kcal

Equipment

Muffin pan
Muffin paper cups
Hand or stand mixer with whisk attachment
Ice cream scoop
Saucepan
Sharp knife
Chopping board
Double-boiler for melting the chocolate

Ingredients

Muffin Sponge

5 ¼
tablespoon
Unsalted Butter
softened at room temperature
¼
cup
Brown sugar
Pinch
Kosher salt
Lemon zest
from half a lemon
3
tablespoon

Lemon juice
1
Large Egg
6.35
oz
Cake flour
1
teaspoon
Baking powder
5
teaspoon
Milk

Caramel Topping

2 ½
tablespoon
Unsalted Butter
1 ½
tablespoon
Brown sugar
3 ½
teaspoon
Heavy cream
2
teaspoon
Honey
¼
cup
Dried apricots
chopped
½
cup
Slivered almonds
¼
cup
Dark chocolate
melted for garnish

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 180 °C // 356 °F.
Line 6 molds of a muffin tray with paper cups and set aside.
Cream 5 ¼ tablespoon Butter, ¼ cup Brown sugar, and Pinch Kosher salt with a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment until light and fluffy.

5 ¼ tablespoon Butter,
¼ cup Brown sugar,
Pinch Kosher salt
Mix in the Lemon zest, 3 tablespoon Lemon juice, and 1 Egg until well combined.

Lemon zest,
3 tablespoon Lemon juice,
1 Egg
In a separate bowl, combine 6.35 oz Cake flour and 1 teaspoon Baking powder. Alternately add the dry ingredients and the 5 teaspoon Milk to the butter mixture, adding spoonfuls at a time.

6.35 oz Cake flour,
1 teaspoon Baking powder,
5 teaspoon Milk
Mix everything gently until a cohesive dough forms. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough muffins.
Divide the batter evenly between the muffin tins using an ice cream scoop and pre-bake for approximately 15 minutes.
In the meantime, prepare the caramel topping: bring 3 ½ teaspoon Heavy cream, 2 ½ tablespoon Butter, 1 ½ tablespoon Brown sugar, and 2 teaspoon Honey to a boil in a saucepan over medium heat. Simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened and golden.

2 ½ tablespoon Butter,
1 ½ tablespoon Brown sugar,
3 ½ teaspoon Heavy cream,
2 teaspoon Honey
Remove the caramel mixture from the heat.
Chop the ¼ cup Dried apricots into small pieces and add them to the prepared caramel, along with ½ cup Slivered almonds. Stir to combine.

¼ cup Dried apricots,
½ cup Slivered almonds
Remove the par-baked muffins from the oven. Carefully spread about 1 tablespoon of the almond and apricot caramel mixture on top of each muffin.
Return the muffin pan to the oven and bake on the middle shelf for an additional 10 minutes, or until the muffins are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The caramel topping should be bubbly and caramelized.
While the muffins cool slightly, melt the ¼ cup Dark chocolate in a double-boiler. Drizzle the melted chocolate over the finished muffins to garnish before serving. Enjoy!

¼ cup Dark chocolate

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Keyword
breakfast muffin, dried apricot muffins, dried fruit muffins, homemade caramel, easy muffin recipe, sweet treats

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Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.

Enjoy creating delicious food all year round! Truffles, eggnog, chocolates, Christmas cookies, cakes, boozy drinks, and divine Austrian delicacies!

⛑️ Food Safety Guidelines

Ensuring food safety is paramount when cooking. Please keep these important guidelines in mind:

Cook to a minimum internal temperature of 165 °F (74 °C) to ensure all harmful bacteria are destroyed.
Always use separate utensils and cutting boards for raw ingredients and cooked food to prevent cross-contamination.
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water after handling raw ingredients, especially raw meat or eggs.
Do not leave perishable food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods (typically no more than two hours).
Never leave cooking food unattended on the stovetop or in the oven.
When frying or sautéing, use cooking oils with a high smoke point to avoid breaking down the oil and forming harmful compounds.
Always ensure good ventilation in your kitchen, especially when using a gas stove, to prevent the buildup of fumes.

For further comprehensive information on safe food handling practices, please check resources from reputable organizations like Safe Food Handling – FDA.