Apple Cinnamon Muffins Recipe with Streusel Topping Recipe

If you’re in the mood for something cozy, fragrant, and impossibly tender, let me introduce you to my favorite Apple Cinnamon Muffins Recipe with Streusel Topping. Each bite is a delightful mix of warm cinnamon, juicy apples, and a buttery crumbly topping that practically melts in your mouth. It’s the kind of simple comfort bake that perfumes the whole house, makes mornings magical, and never fails to earn a chorus of “These are incredible!” whether you bring them to brunch or pack them for a snack.

Ingredients You’ll Need

We’re keeping things deliciously straightforward here, but every ingredient matters! Each one adds a little something special to the flavor, texture, or beautiful golden hue of your Apple Cinnamon Muffins Recipe with Streusel Topping. Here’s what you’ll want to round up:

• All-purpose flour: The backbone of the muffins, providing structure and lightness—use fresh flour for best results.
• Baking powder: Gives your muffins a lovely lift and a pillowy crumb.
• Baking soda: Teams up with the baking powder for extra rise and to tenderize the muffins.
• Ground cinnamon: The star spice, infusing the muffins and crumble with cozy depth and warmth.
• Ground nutmeg: Adds just the faintest hint of spice, rounding out the apple flavor beautifully.
• Kosher salt: Enhances all those sweet and spicy flavors, making everything pop.
• Unsalted butter: For rich flavor and the perfect crumb in both the batter and the streusel.
• Granulated sugar: Sweetens the muffins and balances the tartness of the apples.
• Light brown sugar: Adds a lovely caramel note and keeps things nice and moist.
• Eggs: Essential for binding and giving the muffins their soft, cakey texture.
• Vanilla extract: Just a splash brings all the flavors together with extra warmth.
• Granny Smith apples (1 grated, 1 diced): The combination of textures—juicy bits and moist grated apple—makes every muffin moment special.
• Streusel topping ingredients: flour, both sugars, cinnamon, melted butter: This is the crowning touch! The sugary, buttery crumble is the best part.
• Glaze ingredients: powdered sugar and milk or cream: A quick drizzle over the top adds sweetness and a glossy finish.

How to Make Apple Cinnamon Muffins Recipe with Streusel Topping

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Tools

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Either butter up your trusty muffin pan or pop in some muffin wrappers to make cleanup a breeze. Gather all your ingredients, measure them out, and have two bowls at the ready—you’re about to create muffin magic!

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. This simple step evenly distributes the leaveners and spices, making sure every single muffin is perfectly flavored and fluffy.

Step 3: Cream Together the Wet Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, beat the soft butter with the granulated sugar and light brown sugar until it’s smooth and creamy. Add in the eggs and vanilla extract, and mix until everything is glossy and well combined. This creamy base gives your muffins richness and a delicate sweetness.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures

Now add about half of your flour mixture into the wet ingredients and mix gently. Pour in the rest of the dry mixture, blending just until combined—you don’t want to overmix! Next, fold in both your grated and diced Granny Smith apples. This sneaks extra moisture and bright flavor into every bite.

Step 5: Divide the Batter

Use a spoon or a cookie scoop to fill each muffin cup about 3/4 of the way full. This helps the muffins bake up with beautiful domed tops and ensures even baking throughout.

Step 6: Mix the Streusel and Top the Muffins

In a medium bowl, whisk together the streusel crumble ingredients: flour, both sugars, and cinnamon. Pour in the melted butter, then toss everything together with a fork just until large, sweet crumbs form. Generously spoon this over each muffin, pressing down lightly so it sticks—it’s the irresistible finishing touch that makes Apple Cinnamon Muffins Recipe with Streusel Topping unforgettable.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Slide your pan into the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 22 minutes, or until a toothpick poked into the center comes out clean. Let the muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack, where they’ll finish cooling (but feel free to sneak one while still warm!).

Step 8: Whisk Up the Glaze

In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and two tablespoons of milk or cream until smooth and pourable. If you prefer a thinner drizzle, add the remaining milk a little at a time until you reach your perfect consistency. Drizzle over your cooled muffins for a bakery-style finish that’s as pretty as it is delicious.

How to Serve Apple Cinnamon Muffins Recipe with Streusel Topping

Garnishes

Before serving, I love to add an extra sprinkle of powdered sugar or a tiny dusting of cinnamon right over the glaze. A thin apple slice fanned out on the plate looks gorgeous and wows guests—so simple, yet it elevates your Apple Cinnamon Muffins Recipe with Streusel Topping to bakery-chic status.

Side Dishes

These muffins are delightful solo, but they’re even better paired with silky Greek yogurt, a handful of crunchy walnuts, or a platter of fresh fruit. For brunch, serve alongside creamy scrambled eggs or a savory breakfast casserole for a wonderful sweet-and-savory balance.

Creative Ways to Present

Turn this Apple Cinnamon Muffins Recipe with Streusel Topping into breakfast-in-bed by adding coffee, a pretty napkin, and a tiny jar of homemade jam. For holidays, arrange the muffins on a tiered stand or nestle each one in a parchment wrapper tied with twine for a thoughtful homemade gift.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. If you live in a humid climate, pop a paper towel in the container to absorb excess moisture and keep that wonderful streusel crumbly instead of soggy.

Freezing

This Apple Cinnamon Muffins Recipe with Streusel Topping freezes beautifully. Individually wrap each cooled muffin in plastic wrap and pop them into a freezer bag or airtight container. Muffins will keep well in the freezer for up to three months—just defrost whenever a muffin craving strikes!

Reheating

To reheat, peel away the wrapper and zap a muffin in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds or warm in a low oven (300°F) for about 5 minutes. The crumb stays tender and that streusel gets perfectly toasty again, just like it was freshly baked.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of apple?

Absolutely! While Granny Smith apples provide both tartness and texture, feel free to try Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala apples for a slightly sweeter result in your Apple Cinnamon Muffins Recipe with Streusel Topping.

Can I make these muffins dairy free?

Yes! Swap in your favorite dairy-free butter and plant-based milk or cream for the glaze. The recipe will still turn out soft, fragrant, and totally delicious.

How do I prevent my muffins from becoming dense?

A light touch is key—mix the batter just until you don’t see flour streaks. Overmixing toughens up the crumb, so stop as soon as everything is combined for that perfectly tender Apple Cinnamon Muffins Recipe with Streusel Topping.

Can I skip the glaze?

Of course! The streusel topping already adds tons of flavor and texture. The glaze brings extra sweetness and bakery-style flair, but these muffins shine even without it.

Is it okay to bake these as mini muffins?

Go for it! Divide the batter into mini muffin pans, but keep an eye on the bake time—they’ll need just 10 to 12 minutes. You’ll have adorable, snackable Apple Cinnamon Muffins Recipe with Streusel Topping for any occasion.

Final Thoughts

Baking a batch of Apple Cinnamon Muffins Recipe with Streusel Topping is more than just following a recipe—it’s a sure way to make your kitchen feel special and to treat yourself and your loved ones to true homemade comfort. I hope you give them a try—you might just discover your new favorite muffin!

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