Hello, lovely bakers! Today, we’re diving into the warmest of kitchen adventures with Apple Cinnamon Streusel Muffins. These delightful treats bring together the comforting taste of apples and cinnamon, topped with an irresistible streusel. If you’re like me and adore the smell of cinnamon wafting through the house, you’re in for a real treat with this recipe! Before you know it, your kitchen will be the coziest spot in your home.
Making these muffins always takes me back to a chilly autumn morning when I first made them for my family. I remember my daughter’s little hands eagerly grabbing a muffin straight from the cooling rack. They disappeared in no time! Now, they’ve become a beloved staple, especially during fall when apples are at their best.
If you’re a fan of baking breakfast delights, you’ll love our crescent roll breakfast recipes.
Why you’ll love this recipe
There’s so much to adore about these Apple Cinnamon Streusel Muffins, and I can’t wait for you to discover it all! First off, they’re incredibly easy to whip up, even on your busiest mornings. Their moist, tender crumb pairs perfectly with the crunchy, sweet streusel topping. Plus, you can involve the whole family in the baking process – the kiddos will love mixing and sneaking little bits of apples!
You’re using everyday ingredients, so no need to rush out for anything extra-fancy. And, with the potential for endless variations and simple substitutions, this recipe can be modified to suit anyone’s taste or dietary needs. Trust me when I say these muffins are the perfect balance of flavor and texture, bringing smiles all around.
Ingredients
For the Muffins:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup milk
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup chopped apples (about 1 medium apple)
For the Streusel Topping:
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup packed light brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces
Step-by-step instructions
Prepare the muffin batter
Preheat and Prep:
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners.
Mix Dry Ingredients:
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
Mix Wet Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk the egg, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract until combined.
Combine Mixtures:
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir just until moistened. Don’t overmix—it’s okay if the batter has a few lumps.
Fold in Apples:
Gently fold in the chopped apples until evenly distributed.
Make the streusel topping
Prepare Streusel:
In a small bowl, mix the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cut in the cold butter with a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs.
Bake the Muffins:
- Fill the Muffin Cups: Divide the muffin batter evenly among 12 muffin cups.
- Top with Streusel: Sprinkle a generous amount of streusel topping over each muffin.
- Bake: Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Let the muffins cool in the pan for a few minutes, then move them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
Recipe tips & variations
Feel free to get creative with this recipe! You can swap regular milk with almond or oat milk if you’re going dairy-free. Add some chopped nuts to the batter for an extra crunch or replace the apples with pears for a unique twist. And for my friends who love a little whole-wheat goodness, a half-and-half mixture of whole wheat and all-purpose flour works beautifully here.
Storage & reheating
These muffins are best enjoyed fresh, but they store well too! Place them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, pop them in the freezer. Just remember to let them cool completely before freezing.
For reheating, a quick zap in the microwave or a few minutes in a 350°F oven will bring them back to life. They’re perfect for busy mornings or a cozy afternoon snack.
FAQs
Q1: Can I use any type of apples?A: Absolutely! Go with your favorite variety. Sweet apples like Fuji or Gala work well, but a tart apple like Granny Smith adds a nice contrast.
Q2: Can I double this recipe?A: Yes, you can easily double it. Just make sure to have two muffin pans, or bake in batches.
Q3: What if I don’t have a pastry blender for the streusel?A: No worries! You can use your fingertips to mix until you get that crumbly texture.
Q4: Can these muffins be made vegan?A: Certainly! Substitute the egg, butter, and milk with vegan-friendly alternatives.
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Enjoy baking these with your loved ones and don’t forget to share how yours turned out in the comments! Happy baking!
Print
Apple Cinnamon Streusel Muffins
- Total Time: 37 minutes
- Yield: 12 muffins 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicious and easy-to-make Apple Cinnamon Streusel Muffins that are perfect for autumn. Enjoy the comforting flavor of apples and cinnamon, topped with a sweet streusel.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup chopped apples (about 1 medium apple)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (for streusel)
- 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for streusel)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces (for streusel)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk the egg, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract until combined.
- Combine Mixtures: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir just until moistened. Be sure not to overmix; having a few lumps is completely fine.
- Fold in Apples: Gently fold in the chopped apples until evenly distributed.
- Prepare Streusel: In a small bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Fill the Muffin Cups: Divide the muffin batter evenly among the 12 muffin cups.
- Top with Streusel: Sprinkle a generous amount of streusel topping over each muffin.
- Bake: Bake for 18-22 minutes or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
- Cooling: Let the muffins cool in the pan for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before diving in!
Notes
- Make sure to not overmix the batter for a tender muffin.
- Feel free to use your favorite type of apples.
- Substitute milk with non-dairy options for a dairy-free version.
- For a unique twist, try using pears instead of apples.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 muffin
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg