Apple Cinnamon Streusel Muffins Recipe
Delight in these moist and flavorful Apple Cinnamon Streusel Muffins, bursting with tender apple pieces and topped with a sweet cinnamon streusel crumble. Perfect for breakfast or a cozy snack, these homemade muffins combine warm spices and a buttery crumb topping to create an irresistible treat.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 muffins
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
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)
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
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners to ensure easy removal and clean-up.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and spices.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk the egg, milk, melted unsalted butter, and vanilla extract until fully combined and smooth.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir just until moistened. Be careful not to overmix; it’s okay if the batter is slightly lumpy to keep the muffins tender.
- Fold in Apples: Gently fold the chopped apples into the batter to evenly distribute the fruit without breaking them down.
- Prepare Streusel Topping: In a small bowl, mix the all-purpose flour, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon. Using a pastry blender or fingertips, cut in the cold butter until the mixture looks crumbly with coarse crumbs.
- Fill Muffin Cups: Divide the muffin batter evenly among the 12 prepared muffin liners in the pan.
- Add Streusel: Generously sprinkle the prepared streusel topping over each muffin for a sweet and crunchy crust.
- Bake Muffins: Bake in the preheated oven for 18-22 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean, indicating they are fully baked.
- Cool Muffins: Allow the muffins to cool in the pan for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving or storing.
Notes
- Do not overmix the batter to ensure the muffins stay light and tender.
- Use crisp, tart apples like Granny Smith for the best texture and flavor balance.
- The streusel topping can be made ahead and refrigerated until ready to use.
- Store muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze for longer storage.
- For a dairy-free option, substitute milk with almond or oat milk and use a dairy-free butter alternative.
