Apple Cinnamon Muffins

These apple cinnamon muffins are the original comfort food! They feature a perfect blend of apples and cinnamon, promising cozy fall flavors in every bite. 

They’re fluffy, moist, and packed with chunks of apples. 

Crowned with a cinnamon crumb topping, they’re simply irresistible.

Your kitchen’s about to smell amazing! Let’s get baking.

Why You’ll Love These Apple Cinnamon Muffins

Amazing Flavor – Every muffin bursts with the sweet taste of apples and a hint of cinnamon. It’s like autumn in every bite, no matter the season.

Fluffy and Moist – The texture of these muffins is unbeatable. They’re incredibly soft and moist, making each bite better than the last. You’ll love how they melt in your mouth.

Simple Ingredients – You don’t need anything fancy to whip up a batch of these muffins. This simplicity means you can easily make them any time the craving hits.

Ingredients

Here’s a list of what you need. You’ll find the full recipe with measurements at the bottom of the page.

For the Muffins:

• Apples – The star of the show! They provide sweet, juicy bursts of flavor in every bite.
  
• All-purpose flour – This is your muffin’s backbone, giving structure to the fluffy, tender crumb.
  
• Baking powder & Baking soda – These leavening agents ensure your muffins rise to the occasion, light and airy.
  
• Cinnamon – This spice is the heart of the recipe. It adds that warm, comforting flavor that pairs perfectly with apples.
  
• Salt – Just a pinch to balance the sweetness and enhance all the other flavors.
  
• Sugar – Brown and white sweetens the muffins and helps make them moist.
  
• Unsalted butter – This brings richness and moisture, making every bite melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
  
• Eggs – They bind everything together, ensuring your muffins don’t fall apart.
  
• Sour Cream – It adds moisture and tenderness to your muffins, making them irresistibly soft.
  
• Applesauce – For moisture and to amp up the apple flavor!
  
• Vanilla extract – It adds a subtle depth that complements the apple and cinnamon beautifully.

For the Cinnamon Sugar Crumb Topping:

• Sugar – It sweetens the topping, creating a crispy, caramelized crust.
  
• All-purpose flour – It helps form the topping’s crumbly texture.
  
• Cinnamon – It adds a spicy warmth to the topping, echoing the muffin’s main flavor.
  
• Softened butter – It binds the crumb topping together, creating those deliciously crunchy nuggets.

What Apples Are Best for Muffins?

The right apples make all the difference. 

You want apples that hold their shape and add a punch of flavor. 

If you like some tartness to your muffins, go for Granny Smith. If you like them sweet all the way, opt for Honeycrisp, Fuji, and Pink Lady. 

Or, use a combination for a perfect balance of flavors.

How to Make Apple Cinnamon Muffins

Bake delicious apple cinnamon muffins with these easy steps:

1. PREP: Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Line the muffin pan with paper liners.

2. Whisk: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.

3. BEAT: In another bowl, beat the sugar and butter until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, then mix in the sour cream, applesauce, and vanilla.

4. COMBINE: Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Fold in the diced apples.

5. MIX: In a separate bowl, mix the sugar, flour, and cinnamon for the topping. Cut in the butter until it resembles coarse crumbs.

6. Fill: Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups. Sprinkle each with the cinnamon sugar crumb topping.

7. BAKE: Bake at 425°F for 5 minutes, then reduce the heat to 350°F and bake for another 15-18 minutes. Test with a toothpick for doneness.

8. Cool: Let the muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy!

Tips for Success

Let’s make sure those muffins turn out amazing! Bake perfect apple cinnamon muffins every time with these handy tips. 

• Aim for measuring magic. Use a scale if you have one. Or, use the spoon and level method.

• The thicker, the better. A thick batter ensures your muffins rise nicely. Start with a high oven temperature to lift the muffin tops, then lower the heat to finish baking.

• Don’t overmix! Mix just until the ingredients are combined to keep the muffins light and fluffy. A few lumps are okay. They won’t affect the delicious outcome.

• Work some scoop magic. For uniformly sized muffins, an ice cream scoop or spring-loaded scoop is your best friend. This ensures even baking and perfect shapes.

• Keep a watchful eye. Over-baked muffins lose their moistness. Keep an eye on them and test for doneness towards the end of baking time.

• Give them a rest. Give your muffins about 5 minutes to settle in the tin post-baking. This makes them easier to remove and helps set their structure.

• Peel at your own discretion. It’s up to you. Unpeeled adds texture while peeled or shredded works for a smoother feel.

• Leave them alone. If you can wait, these muffins taste even better after a few hours.

How to Store

Keep your muffins fresh and tasty with these simple tips.

To Store: Let the muffins cool completely, then cover them on the counter. They’ll stay perfect for up to 3 days.

To Freeze: Want to keep them longer? Cool them down and wrap them tightly with plastic wrap. They’ll keep well in the freezer for 3 months. 

To Reheat: You can thaw the muffins on the counter or warm them up straight from the freezer. Reheat them in the microwave or in the oven until warmed through.

More Muffin Recipes

Easy Cinnamon Muffins
Chocolate Chip Muffins
Banana Nut Muffins
Pancake Mix Muffins
Rhubarb Muffins with Crumb Topping