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These apple cinnamon muffins are super moist and tender, and topped with a crumb topping! Made with simple and healthy ingredients and ready in under 20 minutes.
Got an abundance of apples and need to put them to good use? Try this apple cinnamon muffins recipe.
Unlike other muffins, these use simple wholesome ingredients and pack in loads of apple flavor. They need little prep and are so good, you’ll be baking them all Fall!
Table of Contents
Why this recipe works
These muffins may look complicated but honestly, they are so easy to whip up.
- Healthier. Using applesauce helps cut down on the butter, and adding some almond flour adds protein and fiber.
- Made in one bowl. Everything for the muffin batter is mixed together, so clean-up is a breeze.
- Amazing texture and flavor. The texture is tender on the outside, moist and fluffy in the middle. They have a lovely apple cinnamon flavor without being overpowering.
Ingredients needed
These cinnamon apple muffins are so easy to make and besides some baking staples and apples, there isn’t much else that is needed to make. Here is what you’ll need:
- Self rising flour. A mix of white flour, baking powder, and salt. If you don’t have any on hand, make your own.
- Almond flour. Blanched almond flour is preferred, but almond meal also works.
- Superfine sugar. Also known as caster sugar. It’s essentially halfway between standard sugar and powdered sugar.
- Cinnamon.
- Apples. Choose tart and crisp apples, like Granny Smith ones.
- Butter. Unsalted and softened to room temperature.
- Unsweetened applesauce. Has a similar texture to butter but with a fraction of the calories and none of the fat.
- Milk. I used unsweetened almond milk, but any milk works.
- Eggs. room temperature.
- Vanilla extract. A must for any good muffin.
For the crumb topping
- Flour. Plain and sifted.
- Butter. Softened but not melted.
- Sugar. White or brown.
- Cinnamon.
- Rolled oats.
How to make apple muffins
Healthy apple cinnamon muffins are easy to make: the only thing to remember is to avoid overmixing the batter.
Make the muffin batter: Start by whisking together the butter, applesauce, milk, eggs, and vanilla extract. Sift in the flour, sugar, and almond flour and mix until combined.
Make the crumb topping: Next, in a separate bowl, mix the crumb toppings together.
Bake the muffins: Now, transfer the muffin batter evenly amongst a 12-count muffin tin. Sprinkle the crumb topping on each one and bake for 15-17 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Let the muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes before carefully transferring them onto a wire rack to cool.
Tips to make the best recipe
- Avoid over-baking the muffins: The muffins will continue baking as they are cooling in the muffin tin.
- Sift your ingredients: If your dry ingredients have clumps (e.g. the flour), sift them very well first to ensure the batter is smooth.
- Omit the topping: As mentioned earlier, the crumb topping is completely optional. These muffins taste just as delicious without them.
- Bake in the middle rack: When baking cakes or muffins, it’s always best to use the middle rack as they cook more evenly and are less prone to browning quickly on top.
- Add mix-ins: If you love texture in the muffins as well as the top, fold through some raisins, berries, or even chocolate chips.
Storage instructions
To store: Place the muffins in an airtight container, along with a sheet of paper towel. They will keep well for at least 5 days. If you’d like them to keep longer, store them in the refrigerator.
To freeze: Once the muffins have cooled, place them in a ziplock bag and store them in the freezer for up to 6 months.
More delicious ways to enjoy apples
Frequently Asked Questions
While any apples work for baking, tart and crisp ones are best. These include Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, and Johnathon apples.
Each muffin has just 150 calories each.
To prevent these muffins from drying out, remove them from the oven when they are still a little underdone inside. While the muffins are cooling in the pan, they will continue to cook resulting in the most perfectly moist muffin.
Apple Cinnamon Muffins
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter softened
- 1/3 cup milk
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 3/4 cups self rising flour
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 3/4 cup superfine sugar caster sugar
- 1/2 cup almond flour
- 2 medium Granny Smith apples finely chopped
For the crumb topping
- 1/2 cup all purpose flour
- 1/4 cup butter softened
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons rolled oats
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200C/400F. Grease and line a 12-count muffin tin with muffin liners.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the butter, milk, eggs, and vanilla extract. Sift through the self rising flour, superfine sugar, almond flour and cinnamon until combined. Fold through the diced apples.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the crumb topping ingredients.
- Evenly distribute the muffin batter amongst the 12-count muffin tin. Sprinkle the crumb topping on each one. Bake the muffins for 17-19 minutes, or until a skewer comes out mostly clean.
- Remove the muffins from the oven and let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes, before carefully removing from the tin and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
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