Apple cinnamon crumb muffins are a delightful combination of warm, cozy flavors that perfectly encapsulate the essence of autumn. The combination of tender apples, aromatic cinnamon, and a buttery crumb topping makes these muffins a favorite for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon snack. Whether you enjoy them plain or with a drizzle of vanilla icing, these muffins are sure to become a go-to recipe in your baking repertoire. The soft, moist crumb and the sweet, crunchy topping create a perfect harmony of textures and flavors that make each bite irresistibly satisfying.
These muffins are not only delicious but also easy to make. With a simple batter infused with cinnamon and brown sugar, and a crumb topping that adds a delightful crunch, this recipe is straightforward and accessible, even for novice bakers. The recipe yields about 14 muffins, making it ideal for sharing with family and friends or for storing and enjoying throughout the week.
The Appeal of Apple Cinnamon Crumb Muffins
There’s something inherently comforting about the combination of apples and cinnamon. It’s a flavor duo that evokes the warmth and coziness of autumn, making these muffins perfect for cool mornings or crisp fall afternoons. The addition of a crumb topping elevates these muffins, giving them a bakery-style feel that’s both luxurious and satisfying.
These muffins are versatile enough to be enjoyed plain, or you can take them to the next level with a drizzle of vanilla icing. The icing adds a touch of sweetness that pairs beautifully with the spiced apple flavor, making the muffins even more indulgent. Whether you’re serving them for a special breakfast or enjoying one with your afternoon coffee, these apple cinnamon crumb muffins are sure to please.
Ingredients Breakdown
Crumb Topping
- Light or Dark Brown Sugar (⅓ cup, 67g): Brown sugar adds a rich, molasses-like sweetness to the crumb topping, enhancing the warm flavors of the cinnamon and giving the topping a slightly chewy texture.
- Granulated Sugar (1 tablespoon, 15g): Granulated sugar adds sweetness and helps to create a crisp texture in the crumb topping.
- Ground Cinnamon (1 teaspoon): Cinnamon is the star spice in this recipe, adding warmth and depth to the crumb topping and the muffin batter.
- Unsalted Butter (¼ cup, 56g, melted): Melted butter binds the crumb topping together, giving it a rich flavor and a slightly crispy texture when baked.
- All-Purpose Flour (⅔ cup, 84g): Flour provides structure to the crumb topping, helping it to form large, crunchy crumbs that sit beautifully on top of the muffins.
Muffin Batter
- All-Purpose Flour (1¾ cups, 219g): Flour gives the muffins their structure and texture, ensuring they rise well and hold together.
- Baking Soda (1 teaspoon): Baking soda helps the muffins rise, giving them a light and airy texture.
- Baking Powder (1 teaspoon): Baking powder works with the baking soda to give the muffins their rise and light texture.
- Ground Cinnamon (1 teaspoon): Cinnamon is also added to the muffin batter, infusing the muffins with warm, spiced flavor throughout.
- Salt (½ teaspoon): Salt enhances the flavors of the other ingredients and balances the sweetness of the muffins.
- Unsalted Butter (½ cup, 113g, softened to room temperature): Butter adds richness and moisture to the muffin batter, creating a tender crumb.
- Light or Dark Brown Sugar (½ cup, 100g): Brown sugar sweetens the muffins and adds a slight caramel flavor that pairs perfectly with the apples and cinnamon.
- Granulated Sugar (¼ cup, 50g): Granulated sugar adds sweetness and helps create a slightly crisp top on the muffins.
- Large Eggs (2, at room temperature): Eggs provide structure and help bind the ingredients together, contributing to the muffins’ tender texture.
- Yogurt or Sour Cream (½ cup, 120g, at room temperature): Yogurt or sour cream adds moisture and a slight tang to the muffins, balancing the sweetness and enhancing the flavor.
- Pure Vanilla Extract (2 teaspoons): Vanilla adds a warm, sweet flavor that complements the cinnamon and apples.
- Milk (¼ cup, 60ml, any kind, at room temperature): Milk adds moisture to the batter, helping to create a tender crumb.
- Peeled & Chopped Apples (1½ cups, 180g, ½-inch chunks): Apples add a juicy, sweet-tart flavor to the muffins, creating pockets of moisture and flavor in every bite.
Vanilla Icing (Optional)
- Confectioners’ Sugar (1 cup, 120g): Confectioners’ sugar is the base of the icing, creating a smooth, sweet topping that complements the spiced muffins.
- Heavy Cream or Milk (3 tablespoons, 45ml): Cream or milk thins the icing to the perfect drizzling consistency. Heavy cream makes the icing richer, while milk creates a lighter option.
- Pure Vanilla Extract (½ teaspoon): Vanilla extract adds a sweet, aromatic flavor to the icing, enhancing the overall flavor of the muffins.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preparing the Crumb Topping
- Mix the Sugars and Cinnamon: In a medium bowl, combine the brown sugar, granulated sugar, and ground cinnamon. Stir until well mixed. The combination of sugars creates a sweet, caramel-like flavor, while the cinnamon adds warmth.
- Add the Melted Butter: Pour the melted butter into the sugar mixture and stir until combined. The butter helps to bind the ingredients together, creating the base for the crumb topping.
- Mix in the Flour: Gently mix in the flour using a fork, being careful not to overmix. The mixture should form large crumbs. Overmixing can turn the topping into a thick paste, so it’s important to keep the mixture light and crumbly. Set the crumb topping aside.
Making the Muffins
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (218°C). Prepare a 12-count muffin pan by spraying it with nonstick spray or lining it with cupcake liners. You may need a second pan or to bake in batches, as this recipe makes up to 14 muffins.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. This ensures that the leavening agents and spices are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Cream the Butter and Sugars: In a separate large bowl, use a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment to beat the softened butter and both sugars together on high speed until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed to ensure all the ingredients are well mixed.
- Add the Wet Ingredients: Add the eggs, yogurt or sour cream, and vanilla extract to the butter and sugar mixture. Beat on medium speed for 1 minute, then increase the speed to high until the mixture is combined and mostly creamy. It’s okay if the mixture appears slightly curdled at this stage.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: With the mixer running on low speed, gradually add the dry ingredients and milk to the wet ingredients. Mix until no flour pockets remain, being careful not to overmix. Overmixing can result in dense muffins. Fold in the chopped apples using a spatula, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
Baking the Muffins
- Fill the Muffin Cups: Spoon the batter evenly into each muffin cup, filling each one all the way to the top. This ensures that the muffins will rise to a nice, domed shape. Spoon the crumb topping over each muffin, gently pressing it down so it sticks to the batter.
- Bake the Muffins: Place the muffin pan in the preheated oven and bake for 5 minutes at 425°F. This initial high temperature helps the muffins rise quickly, creating a beautiful domed top. After 5 minutes, reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (177°C) and bake for an additional 15–18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
- Cool the Muffins: Allow the muffins to cool for 5 minutes in the muffin pan, then transfer them to a wire rack to continue cooling. This step helps the muffins set and prevents them from becoming soggy.
Making the Vanilla Icing (Optional)
- Prepare the Icing: While the muffins are cooling, make the icing by whisking together the confectioners’ sugar, heavy cream or milk, and vanilla extract in a small bowl. Whisk until smooth and well combined, adding more cream or milk as needed to reach the desired consistency.
- Drizzle the Icing: Drizzle the icing over the warm or cooled muffins, using a spoon or a piping bag for a more controlled drizzle. The icing adds a sweet, creamy finish that complements the warm spices and apples.
Serving and Storing
- Serve the Muffins: These apple cinnamon crumb muffins are best enjoyed fresh out of the oven, with the crumb topping still crisp and the muffins warm and soft. They’re perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as a sweet snack with coffee or tea.
- Storing the Muffins: Store the muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can refrigerate them for up to 1 week. If you’ve added the icing, it’s best to store the muffins in the refrigerator to keep the icing fresh.
Tips for Success
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure that all refrigerated ingredients, such as eggs, butter, yogurt, and milk, are at room temperature
before mixing. This helps the batter come together smoothly and evenly, resulting in tender, well-risen muffins.
- Don’t Overmix the Batter: Overmixing can lead to dense, tough muffins. Mix the batter just until the dry ingredients are incorporated, and fold in the apples gently to avoid overworking the batter.
- Fill the Muffin Cups: For tall, bakery-style muffins, fill the muffin cups all the way to the top. This encourages the muffins to rise high and creates a beautiful domed top.
- Check for Doneness: Use a toothpick to check the muffins for doneness. The toothpick should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. If the muffins are still wet in the center, bake them for a few more minutes.
Variations and Customizations
- Apple Nut Muffins: Add ½ cup of chopped walnuts or pecans to the muffin batter for extra crunch and flavor. The nuts pair beautifully with the apples and cinnamon, adding texture and richness to the muffins.
- Maple Glaze: For a different twist on the vanilla icing, try making a maple glaze by substituting the vanilla extract with 1 teaspoon of pure maple syrup. The maple flavor adds warmth and depth, enhancing the autumnal flavors of the muffins.
- Cranberry Apple Muffins: Add ½ cup of dried cranberries to the batter for a tart, fruity contrast to the sweet apples and cinnamon. The cranberries add a pop of color and flavor, making these muffins perfect for the holiday season.
- Gluten-Free Muffins: To make these muffins gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that contains xanthan gum. This will help the muffins maintain their structure and texture.
Conclusion
Apple cinnamon crumb muffins are the perfect embodiment of fall’s flavors, combining tender apples, warm cinnamon, and a buttery crumb topping in a delicious, easy-to-make treat. Whether you enjoy them plain or with a drizzle of vanilla icing, these muffins are sure to become a favorite in your kitchen.
The recipe is straightforward, making it accessible to bakers of all skill levels, and the results are truly bakery-quality. With their moist crumb, rich flavor, and irresistible topping, these muffins are perfect for any occasion, from a cozy breakfast at home to a festive brunch with friends.
So the next time you’re craving something sweet and spiced, give these apple cinnamon crumb muffins a try. They’re a delightful way to bring the flavors of fall into your home and share them with those you love.