Description
These Apple Cinnamon Muffins are soft, moist, and bursting with flavor, featuring juicy apple chunks and a sweet cinnamon streusel topping. Perfect for breakfast or a cozy snack, they combine warm spices with tender crumb and a delightful crunchy topping.
Ingredients
Scale
Muffin Batter
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup milk
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup chopped apples
Streusel Topping
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, cold
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners to prepare for baking.
- 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 medium bowl, whisk the egg, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
- Make the Batter: Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring just until combined. A few lumps are okay to keep the muffins tender. Avoid overmixing to prevent dense texture.
- Add Apples: Fold in the chopped apples gently to ensure they are evenly distributed without breaking up too much.
- Prepare Streusel Topping: In a small bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or fingertips until the mixture forms coarse crumbs.
- Fill Muffin Cups: Spoon the batter evenly into the prepared muffin cups and then sprinkle the streusel topping generously over each muffin to add sweetness and crunch.
- Bake the Muffins: Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the tops are golden and slightly crisp.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the muffins to cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature and enjoy.
Notes
- Do not overmix the batter to keep muffins fluffy and light.
- Use tart apples like Granny Smith for a balance of tartness and sweetness.
- Store muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.
- Streusel topping can be omitted if you prefer a simpler muffin.
- These muffins are best served fresh but can be reheated gently before serving.
