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To make Cinnamon Apple Crumb Muffins, gather these ingredients: - 2 cups all-purpose flour - 1 cup granulated sugar - 1 tablespoon baking powder - 1 teaspoon baking soda - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon - ½ teaspoon salt - 1 cup buttermilk, at room temperature - ½ cup vegetable oil - 2 large eggs, at room temperature - 2 cups peeled and diced tart apples (like Granny Smith) For the crumb topping, you will need: - ½ cup brown sugar - ½ cup rolled oats - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon - ¼ cup cold butter, cubed Each ingredient plays a key role in creating these delicious muffins. The all-purpose flour helps form the base, while sugar adds sweetness. Baking powder and baking soda provide lift and fluffiness. Ground cinnamon brings warm flavor, and salt balances the sweetness. Buttermilk and oil keep the muffins moist, while eggs help bind everything together. The tart apples add a fruity kick. Lastly, the crumb topping gives a sweet, crunchy finish. Now that you have your ingredients ready, you're set for a fun baking adventure! {{ingredient_image_2}} Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This is the perfect temperature for baking. While the oven heats up, prepare your muffin tin. You can use paper liners or lightly spray each cup with cooking spray. This helps your muffins pop out easily. In a large mixing bowl, add 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 cup of granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon of baking powder, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, and ½ teaspoon of salt. Whisk these ingredients together well. Mixing them thoroughly ensures that your muffins rise evenly and taste great. In another bowl, combine 1 cup of buttermilk, ½ cup of vegetable oil, and 2 large eggs. Whisk these until smooth. This mixture brings moisture and richness to your muffins. Make sure there are no lumps for a nice, smooth batter. Now, pour the wet mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Using a spatula, gently fold them together. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are okay. This step keeps your muffins tender and fluffy. Next, fold in 2 cups of peeled and diced tart apples. Granny Smith apples work well for this recipe. They add a nice tartness that balances the sweetness. Make sure to distribute the apples evenly in the batter. In a small bowl, mix together ½ cup of brown sugar, ½ cup of rolled oats, and 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Cut in ¼ cup of cold butter cubes using your fingers or a pastry cutter. You want the mixture to look like coarse crumbs. This topping adds a delicious crunch to your muffins. Spoon the batter into your prepared muffin cups. Fill each about two-thirds full. This allows room for the muffins to rise. Don’t forget to sprinkle the crumb topping generously over each filled cup. It creates a tasty crust. Place your muffin tin in the oven and bake for 18 to 20 minutes. To check doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of a muffin. If it comes out clean, your muffins are ready. Once baked, let them cool in the tin for about 5 minutes. After that, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. To make great muffins, start with room-temperature ingredients. When your buttermilk, eggs, and oil are warm, they mix better. This helps create a smooth batter. If you use cold ingredients, it can lead to uneven baking. Measuring your ingredients correctly is key too. Use dry measuring cups for flour and sugar. Level them off with a knife for accuracy. Too much flour can make your muffins dry. When serving your muffins, present them warm. You can dust them with powdered sugar for a nice look. A simple glaze of powdered sugar and milk adds sweetness. Serve these muffins with tea or coffee for a cozy treat. You can enhance the flavor of your muffins by adding spices. A pinch of nutmeg or ginger can give them a nice twist. For a fresh taste, add lemon or orange zest. This will brighten up the apple flavor and make your muffins even tastier. Pro Tips Use Fresh Apples: For the best flavor and texture, choose fresh, tart apples like Granny Smith. Their crispness and tartness will enhance the muffins. Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your eggs and buttermilk are at room temperature before mixing. This helps create a smoother batter and contributes to a fluffier muffin. Avoid Overmixing: When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix just until combined. Overmixing can lead to dense muffins, so keep it gentle! Customize Your Toppings: Feel free to add nuts or dried fruit to the crumb topping for extra texture and flavor. Walnuts or raisins make a delicious addition! {{image_4}} You can use many apple types for your muffins. Some popular choices include: - Granny Smith - Honeycrisp - Fuji - Cortland Granny Smith apples are tart. They add a nice contrast to the sweet muffin. Honeycrisp apples are sweeter and juicy. They can make the muffins more flavorful. Fuji apples are sweet and crisp. They hold their shape well when baked. Using a mix of sweet and tart apples can create a balanced taste. Mixing different apples adds depth to your muffins. You can experiment to find your favorite combination. To make your muffins healthier, try using whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour. Whole wheat flour has more fiber. It can help keep you full longer. You can also use alternative sweeteners, like honey or maple syrup. These options add natural sweetness. If you want dairy-free muffins, use almond milk or coconut milk in place of buttermilk. These options work well and keep the muffins moist. You can even use dairy-free butter for the crumb topping. Adding nuts or chocolate chips can boost the flavor of your muffins. Chopped walnuts or pecans add a nice crunch. Chocolate chips bring a sweet surprise in every bite. You can also incorporate spices like nutmeg or ginger. Nutmeg adds warmth, while ginger gives a cozy kick. These spices make your muffins even more exciting. Feel free to mix and match flavors to create your perfect muffin! To keep your muffins fresh, store them in an airtight container. This helps prevent them from drying out. You can use a plastic container or a resealable bag. Place a piece of parchment paper between layers if you stack them. This avoids squishing the crumb topping. Store the muffins at room temperature for up to three days. If you want to keep them longer, consider freezing. To freeze your muffins, first let them cool completely. This stops ice from forming. Wrap each muffin tightly in plastic wrap. Then, place the wrapped muffins in a freezer bag. Remove as much air as you can. You can freeze muffins for up to three months. When you want to eat them, take a muffin out of the freezer. Let it thaw in the fridge overnight. If you want it warm, pop it in the microwave for 15-20 seconds. You can also warm it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes. Enjoy your tasty muffins anytime! Yes, you can use unsweetened applesauce. It adds moisture and flavor. The muffins may be less rich, but they will still taste great. Applesauce makes the muffins softer and adds natural sweetness. Cinnamon apple crumb muffins last about 2 days at room temperature. Store them in an airtight container for best results. In the fridge, they can last up to a week. Just make sure they are sealed well to keep them fresh. You can make the batter ahead of time, but it is best to bake it fresh. If you store it in the fridge, the muffins may not rise as well. The batter can sit for up to 2 hours. Just remember to stir gently before baking. For a vegan version, try using flaxseed meal or chia seeds. Mix 1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal or chia seeds with 2.5 tablespoons of water. Let it sit for 5 minutes until it thickens. This works well and binds the ingredients together. To check if the muffins are done, stick a toothpick in the center. If it comes out clean, the muffins are ready. If it has wet batter on it, bake for a few more minutes. Always test a few muffins for the best results. You now know the key steps to make perfect cinnamon apple crumb muffins. We covered the ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and tips for success. Your muffins will be tasty and fun for everyone. Remember to try different apple varieties and add your favorite mix-ins for a unique twist. With these simple techniques, enjoy fresh muffins at home anytime. Get baking, and let the deliciousness begin!

Cinnamon Apple Crumb Muffins

Delicious muffins filled with tart apples and topped with a crumbly mixture.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 200 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
  • 0.5 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 2 cups peeled and diced tart apples (such as Granny Smith)
  • 0.5 cup brown sugar
  • 0.5 cup rolled oats
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 0.25 cup cold butter, cubed

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a standard muffin tin by lining it with muffin paper liners or lightly spraying each cup with cooking spray.
  • Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and salt until thoroughly mixed.
  • Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, add the buttermilk, vegetable oil, and eggs. Whisk these ingredients together until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
  • Combine Mixtures: Pour the wet mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Using a spatula, gently fold the ingredients together until just combined. Avoid overmixing—the batter should be slightly lumpy for tender muffins.
  • Add Apples: Carefully fold in the diced apples, making sure they are evenly distributed throughout the muffin batter.
  • Prepare Crumb Topping: In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar, rolled oats, and ground cinnamon for the crumb topping. Add the cold cubed butter and use your fingers or a pastry cutter to blend until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  • Fill Muffin Tins: Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full. Generously sprinkle the crumb topping over each filled muffin cup.
  • Bake the Muffins: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
  • Cool Before Serving: Once baked, let the muffins cool in the tin for about 5 minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Serve warm, optionally dusted with powdered sugar or drizzled with a simple glaze.
Keyword apple, cinnamon, dessert, muffins