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These Apple Cinnamon Muffins are the perfect way to take advantage of apple season. Full of big pieces of apple, cinnamon and spices, these muffins are topped with a cinnamon streusel for extra flavor and texture.
Yesterday I placed an Instacart order which included multiple cans of pumpkin puree. And I didn’t specify not to substitute it for pumpkin pie mix.
You know where this is going right?
Yep, FOUR 30-ounce cans of pumpkin pie mix. Apparently the store was out of pumpkin puree.
I thought maybe it was a fluke, but then my friend Stephie texted me that her stores were all out as well. She did a little researching and apparently we may have another pumpkin shortage on our hands. Seriously, I am so over 2020.
Guys, pumpkin puree is gold for food bloggers during the fall months and luckily I have numerous cans in my pantry from last year. So I can at least get started with some recipe testing because this girl is not paying Amazon $36 for 4 cans of pumpkin. I’d much prefer grabbing a $2 sugar pumpkin to make my own.
Good thing we still have apples galore so we can whip up delicious fall desserts like these simple Apple Cinnamon Muffins.
HOMEMADE APPLE CINNAMON MUFFINS
You may recall that I have a minor muffin obsession. I like to bake them almost as much as I like to eat them.
Doesn’t matter if it’s Pumpkin Muffins, Banana Crumb Muffins, or Glazed Donut Muffins. I want to make (and eat) them all.
But when the weather finally started to cool off and I got that first whiff of fall this week, I found myself wanting – no, needing – to make apple muffins.
I didn’t want these to be typical muffins with barely recognizable pieces of apple and a little spice. I wanted these to be hearty, enthusiastically spiced apple muffins with big chunks of Granny Smith apples and a sweet and buttery streusel topping.
Honestly – who doesn’t love a streusel topping. I could eat the stuff with a spoon. (Okay, I may have actually eaten the stuff with a spoon.)
These are quite possibly my favorite muffins ever. Or at least until I come up with a new favorite recipe next month.
Similar to my Apple Pie Bread, they have all the goodness of apple pie – including the goodness of crust, thanks to that crumb topping. And they are completely portable, which means you can nosh on them for breakfast on your way to work, during school drop-off, or as you wander the house with a cup of coffee in your other hand (though watch out for the crumbs!).
Although these Apple Cinnamon Muffins may not have the same puffy look of beautiful muffins from the bakery, they taste incredible and are the perfect way to take advantage of apple season. As an added bonus, these apple muffins taste even better the next day.
HOW TO MAKE APPLE CINNAMON MUFFINS WITH STREUSEL TOPPING
If you’ve made any of my quick bread recipes, you can make these Apple Cinnamon Muffins.
Whisk the dry ingredients together in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients.
Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, and then fold in the diced apple.
You can dice your apple into whatever size chunks you like. But if you finely dice them, the apple pieces will kind of disappear into the baked muffins.
I like to have big pieces of appley goodness running throughout these muffins, so I like to go with a larger dice on my apples.
After you divide the batter into your muffin tin, grab another bowl and mix together the ingredients for the streusel topping. Sprinkle this over the tops of the muffins before baking.
CAN YOU FREEZE APPLE MUFFINS?
These Apple Cinnamon Muffins freeze beautifully!
If you plan to eat all of these muffins within 3 days (and I wouldn’t blame you), go ahead and keep them in an airtight container at room temperature.
But if you’re looking for a longer-term storage solution, perhaps for breakfasts over the next few weeks, pop the cooled muffins into an airtight, freezer-safe container or a freezer bag.
The muffins will keep for up to 3 months in the freezer. When you’re hungry for an Apple Cinnamon Muffin, just grab one and warm it in the microwave for 30-60 seconds!
Apple Cinnamon Muffins with Streusel Topping
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 egg
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ½ cup butter melted
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups packed brown sugar
- 2 cups peeled and chopped Granny Smith Apples
For the streusel topping
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup rolled oats
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3 tablespoons butter melted
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line 12 cup muffin cups with paper liners. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together 2 1/4 cups flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda, and salt. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg, buttermilk, 1/2 cup melted butter, vanilla and 1 1/2 cups of brown sugar. Stir until sugar has dissolved.
3. Pour butter mixture into the flour mixture and stir until just combined. Gently fold in apples. Use a large scoop to fill each muffin well, filling the cups to the top.
4. In a small bowl, stir together 1/2 cup of brown sugar, 1/3 cup flour, rolled oats, and cinnamon. Drizzle in 3 tablespoons of melted butter, mixing until well blended. Sprinkle this over the tops of the muffins.
5. Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes, or until the tops of the muffins spring back when lightly pressed.
6. Cool on wire rack. Store at room temperature.
Video
Notes
- If you choose to finely dice your apples, take not that they will disappear into the muffin. I left my pieces a little bigger to ensure nice bites of appley goodness.
- If you don’t have pumpkin pie spice, you can make your own, or simply substitute 2 teaspoons of cinnamon.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Mmmm…these look great!
I just made these muffins and the batter is beautiful! This receipe will be used again and again this fall!!
*One thing I noticed though was the rolled oats were left out of the instructions for the topping…
Crystal-
Thanks for letting me know, I have made the correction!
-Jamie
This recipe really is perfectly timed! Not only for fall, but as a nice tribute to the late Mr. Jobs! (APPLE pie muffins :-p)
They look delicious!
Somehow I think I’d prefer this apple pie muffin to an “apple cupcake”…
Mmmm pie and muffin mixed together!? I’m in.
These are just perfect – I love that crunch topping!
There are times I do not have fresh buttermilk for cooking. Do you recommend the powdered product or adding an acid to regular milk? Thanks!
Carol-
I would recommend adding an acid to regular milk. I have done this many times in my own kitchen. Thanks so much for stopping by.
-Jamie
Any excuse to eat “pie” for breakfast is good for me! These look fantastic!
Apple Pie Muffins? Perfect Fall Fare. They sound and look delish.
I don’t bake often, but can’t wait to make these this weekend!
Thank you so much for sharing
Thank you so much for sharing this recipe. I love baking muffins… and I LOVE apple pie. I can’t wait to try it!!!!