Unbelievable Apple Cinnamon Muffins with Crumb in 20 Mins

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Author: Sophie Collins
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Apple Cinnamon Muffins with Crumb

Is there anything better than the smell of warm muffins baking on a crisp morning? I don’t think so! Especially when they’re these amazing Apple Cinnamon Muffins with Crumb. Seriously, the aroma alone is enough to make you drool. What I love most about this recipe is how easy it is – even if you’re not a super experienced baker, you can totally nail these. And that crumb topping? Oh. My. Goodness. It adds the perfect touch of sweetness and crunch. Trust me, once you try these, you’ll be making them every weekend. They’re the perfect way to start the day, or honestly, a pretty great afternoon snack too!

Why You’ll Love These Apple Cinnamon Muffins with Crumb

Quick and Easy Baking

Seriously, these apple cinnamon muffins are SO easy to whip up. We’re talking minimal prep time and simple steps. You’ll be enjoying warm muffins in no time!

Delicious Apple Cinnamon Flavor

The combo of juicy apples and warm cinnamon? It’s a match made in heaven! My favorite part is how the cinnamon really brings out the apple’s natural sweetness. Yum!

Irresistible Crumb Topping

Okay, let’s be real – the crumb topping is the star of the show. That sweet, buttery crunch? It takes these apple cinnamon muffins with crumb to the next level. You’ll be sneaking bites of it, I promise!

Perfect for Any Occasion

These muffins are so versatile! Breakfast? Check. Brunch? Absolutely. Afternoon snack? You betcha! They’re perfect for any time you need a little something sweet and comforting.

Ingredients for Apple Cinnamon Muffins with Crumb

Alright, let’s gather our goodies! Here’s what you’ll need to make the magic happen. Don’t worry, most of it’s probably already in your pantry. I always double-check before I start, though, ’cause ain’t nobody got time for a missing ingredient mid-bake!

Muffin Batter Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled (trust me, it makes a difference!)
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup milk, whole or 2% (whatever you’ve got!)
  • 1 large egg, room temperature (so it mixes in nice and smooth)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup peeled and diced apples, small dice (I like Honeycrisp!)

Crumb Topping Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup cold butter, cut into small pieces (and I mean COLD!)
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

How to Make Apple Cinnamon Muffins with Crumb: Step-by-Step Instructions

Okay, here’s the fun part! Let’s get baking! Don’t worry, I’ll walk you through every step. Just follow along and you’ll have a batch of perfect apple cinnamon muffins with crumb in no time. Promise!

Preparing the Apple Cinnamon Muffin Batter

First things first: preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). You’ll want to line a muffin tin with paper liners, too. Now, grab a big bowl and whisk together the flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon. In a separate bowl, whisk the oil, milk, egg, and vanilla. Pour the wet stuff into the dry stuff and stir until *just* combined. Don’t overmix! Finally, gently fold in those diced apples.

Making the Crumb Topping

This is easy peasy! In a small bowl, mix the flour, sugar, and cinnamon. Now, here’s the key: cut in the COLD butter using a pastry blender or your fingers (I use my fingers, it’s faster!). Keep going until it looks like coarse crumbs. Seriously, that cold butter is what makes it crumbly, so don’t skip that!

Assembling and Baking the Apple Cinnamon Muffins with Crumb

Time to assemble! Fill each muffin liner about 2/3 full. Then, sprinkle that glorious crumb topping evenly over each muffin. Pop the tin into the preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean. Careful, it’s hot!

Cooling and Serving

Let the muffins cool in the tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. I know it’s tempting, but try to wait! Once they’re cool enough, grab one and enjoy! These apple cinnamon muffins with crumb are amazing on their own, but even better with a pat of butter or a dollop of whipped cream. Yum!

Apple Cinnamon Muffins with Crumb - detail 1

Tips for Perfect Apple Cinnamon Muffins with Crumb

Want to take your muffins to the next level? Here are a few little tricks I’ve learned over the years to make sure they come out perfect every time!

Don’t Overmix the Batter

Seriously, this is a big one! Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, and that leads to tough, not-so-yummy muffins. Mix until *just* combined – a few streaks of flour are totally okay!

Use Cold Butter for the Crumb Topping

Cold butter is the secret to that amazing crumbly texture! If the butter’s too soft, it’ll melt and you’ll end up with a gloppy mess instead of those lovely little crumbs. So keep it cold!

Evenly Distribute the Crumb Topping

Nobody wants a muffin with all the crumb topping on one side! Sprinkle it evenly over each muffin so every bite is perfect. I sometimes gently press it in a *little* to help it stick.

Check for Doneness with a Toothpick

A toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin should come out clean, or with just a few moist crumbs attached. No wet batter! That’s how you know they’re perfectly baked.

Variations on Apple Cinnamon Muffins with Crumb

Okay, so you’ve made the basic recipe – awesome! Now, let’s get a little crazy! Here are some fun ways to mix things up and make these apple cinnamon muffins with crumb your own. Get creative!

Add Nuts or Dried Fruit

Want some extra crunch and chew? Throw in some chopped walnuts, pecans, or raisins! About 1/2 cup should do the trick. I love walnuts in mine for that extra bit of nutty flavor!

Use Different Spices

Cinnamon is classic, but why stop there? A pinch of nutmeg, cloves, or allspice will add a warm, cozy flavor. Just don’t overdo it – a little goes a long way!

Substitute Applesauce for Oil

Looking for a healthier option? You can totally swap out the oil for unsweetened applesauce! It’ll make the muffins a little more moist, too. Just make sure it’s unsweetened!

Make Mini Apple Cinnamon Muffins with Crumb

Mini muffins are so cute and perfect for little hands! Just adjust the baking time – they’ll probably only need about 10-12 minutes. Keep an eye on them so they don’t burn!

Storing Your Apple Cinnamon Muffins with Crumb

Made a big batch of these amazing muffins? Awesome! Here’s how to keep them fresh (or, you know, as fresh as possible before they all disappear!).

How to Store at Room Temperature

Just pop those apple cinnamon muffins with crumb into an airtight container. They’ll stay yummy at room temperature for up to 3 days. Easy peasy!

Freezing Apple Cinnamon Muffins with Crumb

Want to keep ’em longer? Freezing is your friend! Let the muffins cool completely, then wrap them individually in plastic wrap before putting them in a freezer bag. They’ll last for up to 2 months!

Reheating Instructions

To bring those frozen muffins back to life, just thaw them at room temperature. Then, pop them in a 350°F (175°C) oven for a few minutes to warm them up. Or, if you’re impatient like me, a quick zap in the microwave works too!

Apple Cinnamon Muffins with Crumb - detail 2

Frequently Asked Questions About Apple Cinnamon Muffins with Crumb

Got questions about these apple cinnamon muffins with crumb? Don’t worry, I’ve got answers! Here are a few of the most common things people ask me about this recipe.

Can I use a different type of apple?

Absolutely! I usually go for Honeycrisp because they’re nice and sweet, but Granny Smith apples work great too, especially if you like a little tartness. Really, any good baking apple will do!

Can I make these muffins ahead of time?

Totally! These apple cinnamon muffins are perfect for making ahead. Just follow those storage instructions I mentioned earlier, and you’ll be all set!

How do I prevent the crumb topping from sinking?

Ah, the dreaded sinking crumb topping! The secret is to use really cold butter and gently press the topping into the batter a little bit before baking. That helps it stick!

Are these muffins gluten-free?

Nope, not as written. But you *could* try using a gluten-free flour blend! I haven’t tested it myself with this exact recipe, but it should work. Just keep an eye on the baking time!

Can I reduce the amount of sugar?

You *can*, but be careful! Sugar does more than just add sweetness – it also affects the texture and moisture of the muffins. If you reduce it too much, they might end up dry or dense.

Nutritional Information for Apple Cinnamon Muffins with Crumb

Okay, so here’s the deal: I’m not a nutritionist, and the nutritional info for these muffins can vary *a lot* depending on the specific ingredients you use (like, different brands of flour or apples). So, I can’t give you exact numbers. But just keep in mind that it’s always a good idea to be mindful of what you’re eating! Enjoy these delicious apple cinnamon muffins with crumb in moderation, okay?

Apple Cinnamon Muffins with Crumb - detail 3

Enjoy Your Homemade Apple Cinnamon Muffins with Crumb!

There you have it! Now go bake some magic! And hey, if you make these, leave a comment and let me know what you think! Or even better, share a pic on social media!

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Apple Cinnamon Muffins with Crumb

Unbelievable Apple Cinnamon Muffins with Crumb in 20 Mins

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  • Author: Sophie Collins
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 12 muffins 1x
  • Category: Breakfast, Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Enjoy these delicious apple cinnamon muffins with a sweet crumb topping. They are perfect for breakfast or a snack.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup peeled and diced apples
  • For the crumb topping:
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup cold butter, cut into pieces
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a muffin tin with paper liners.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon.
  3. In a separate bowl, combine oil, milk, egg, and vanilla extract.
  4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
  5. Fold in the diced apples.
  6. Prepare the crumb topping: In a small bowl, combine flour, sugar, and cinnamon. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  7. Fill each muffin liner about 2/3 full. Sprinkle crumb topping over each muffin.
  8. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  9. Let muffins cool in the tin for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

  • Store muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
  • You can use different types of apples, such as Honeycrisp or Granny Smith.
  • For a richer flavor, use brown sugar in the crumb topping.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 muffin
  • Calories: 250
  • Sugar: 20g
  • Sodium: 150mg
  • Fat: 10g
  • Saturated Fat: 5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 40g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 3g
  • Cholesterol: 30mg

Hi, I’m Madison!

Nutrition-focused food creator, low-carb advocate, and full-time flavor chaser. I’ve turned my personal journey with low-carb eating into a recipe hub for real people. With easy instructions and wholesome ingredients, I’ll help you eat better one delicious bite at a time.

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