Apple Cinnamon Crumb Muffins
- felichiccuisine
- Nov 24, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 15
They taste like something straight out of a bakery, but they’re incredibly easy to make at home - even if you’re new to baking!
There’s nothing quite like the smell of cinnamon and apples baking in the oven. These Apple Cinnamon Crumb Muffins are soft, buttery, and packed with juicy apples, finished with a sweet, crunchy cinnamon-sugar topping.
They come together in just a few simple steps with basic ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. No fancy equipment needed - just mix, bake, and enjoy!
Whether you’re looking for a quick breakfast, a cozy snack with your afternoon coffee, or a homemade treat to share with family, these muffins will hit the spot.
Baking Tips for the Best Muffins
✔ Choosing the Right Apples - Use firm, slightly tart apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji for the best balance of sweetness and acidity. If using sweeter apples (like Gala), reduce the sugar slightly.
✔ Don’t overmix the batter - this can make the muffins dense. Mix until the ingredients are just combined.
✔ Use melted butter instead of softened butter for a richer, more tender crumb.
✔ The muffin batter will initially be thick, but after adding the apples, it will become slightly looser due to the moisture released from the apples.
If you enjoyed this, you may love: Blueberry Lemon Crusted Muffins
✔ Make sure the butter is cold to create a crumbly, crunchy topping - If you want an even crispier topping, refrigerate the crumb mixture for 10 minutes before using.
✔ Baking the muffins at a high temperature for the first 5 minutes, then lowering it, helps quickly lift the muffin tops.
✔ Storage & Freezing - Store muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the fridge for up to a week.
How to Prepare Apple Cinnamon Crumb Muffins
1. Prepare the Topping
Combine the brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Add the cold, cubed butter. Using a fork (or your fingers), rub the butter into the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Do not overmix - the mixture should remain crumbly. Set aside.
2. Prepare the Muffin Batter
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment (or using a handheld mixer), add the butter, sugar, and eggs.
Beat on medium speed for 1 minute, then increase to high speed and mix until the mixture is light and creamy. Mix in the vanilla extract until combined. With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the dry ingredients. Mix just until combined - the batter will be thick.
Using a spatula, gently fold in the chopped apples until evenly distributed.
Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin cups, filling each about ¾ full. Evenly sprinkle the crumb topping over each muffin.
3. Bake at 200°C (400°F) for 5 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 180°C (350°F) and continue baking for 15-20 minutes, or until the muffins are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Here’s a lovely review from one of my readers:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
''So easy and so good! I loved how simple this recipe was to follow, even as a beginner. The muffins had a soft texture, and the cinnamon-apple combo made my whole kitchen smell amazing. I’ll be baking these all fall long!" Rachel
Apple Cinnamon Crumb Muffins Recipe
Better than bakery muffins! The muffins came out soft, flavorful, and perfectly spiced. The crumb topping adds the perfect crunch.
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 45 min
Serves: 12
Ingredients
Cinnamon-Sugar Crumb Topping
75g (⅓ cup) packed brown sugar
2 Tbsp flour
½ tsp ground cinnamon
15g (1 Tbsp) cold butter
For Batter
2 large apples, peeled and chopped
270g (2 cups) flour
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
One pinch of salt
115g (½ cup; 4 oz) butter
175-200g (¾ - 1 cup) sugar
2 eggs
1½ tsp vanilla extract
½ tsp ground cinnamon
Optional: ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (for extra crunch)
Method
Prepare the Crumb Topping
1. In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Add the cold, cubed butter. Using a fork (or your fingers), rub the butter into the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Do not overmix - the mixture should remain crumbly. Set aside.
Prepare the Muffin Batter
2. Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Line a muffin pan with paper liners or lightly grease the cups. Set aside.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
4. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment (or using a handheld mixer), add the butter, sugar, and eggs. Beat on medium speed for 1 minute, then increase to high speed and mix until the mixture is light and creamy. Mix in the vanilla extract until combined.
Note: If the mixture does not look fully smooth, don’t worry! Once you add the dry ingredients, it will become creamy.
5. With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the dry ingredients. Mix just until combined - the batter will be thick. Using a spatula, gently fold in the chopped apples until evenly distributed.
Assemble & Bake
6. Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin cups, filling each about ¾ full. Evenly sprinkle the crumb topping over each muffin.
7. Bake at 200°C (400°F) for 5 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 180°C (350°F) and continue baking for 15-20 minutes, or until the muffins are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
8. Let the muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Enjoy!
Fiery colors begin their yearly conquest of the hills, propelled by the autumn winds, Fall is the artist.― Takayuki Ikkaku
Have you tried making this Apple Cinnamon Crumb Muffins? I'd love to hear about your experience! Share your thoughts and any creative twists you added to the recipe in the comments below. Or, tag me on Instagram (@FeliChic'Cuisine) when you post your recipe creations. Let's inspire each other. Thank You!
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