Description
These bakery-style apple cinnamon muffins are soft, packed with fresh apple chunks, and topped with a buttery, crumbly streusel. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a cozy snack, they come together quickly and are always a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 1/2 cup milk (any type)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups apples, peeled, cored, and diced small (about 2 medium apples)
- For Streusel Topping:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and diced
- Pinch of salt
- Optional Add-Ins:
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- 1/2 cup raisins or dried cranberries
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with parchment liners or lightly grease.
- Make the streusel topping: In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup flour, 1/3 cup brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Add cold, diced butter and rub in with fingertips or use a pastry cutter until crumbly. Refrigerate while preparing batter.
- In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon.
- In another bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup melted butter, 1/2 cup milk, 2 eggs, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/4 cup brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla until smooth.
- Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Stir gently with a spatula until just combined. If batter is too dry, add a tablespoon of milk.
- Fold in diced apples and any optional add-ins (nuts or dried fruit).
- Spoon batter into muffin tin, filling each cup about 3/4 full.
- Sprinkle streusel topping generously over each muffin and press lightly.
- Bake for 18-22 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool muffins in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.
Notes
Do not overmix the batter to avoid dense muffins. Keep streusel topping cold until baking for best texture. Use a mix of tart and sweet apples for depth of flavor. If apples are very juicy, pat them dry before adding. Muffins freeze well; wrap individually and reheat in the oven for best results.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 muffin
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 18
- Sodium: 180
- Fat: 8
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 36
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 3
Keywords: apple cinnamon muffins, streusel topping, breakfast muffins, easy muffin recipe, brunch, fall baking, apple recipe, homemade muffins