Apple Spice Muffins
There’s nothing quite like the luscious spiced filled fragrance wafting from the kitchen while these Apple Spice Muffins bake. Packed with juicy apples, fall spices and buttery crumb topping, these moist and fluffy muffins are wonderful to enjoy on a crisp fall day.
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Perks of Homemade Apple Spice Muffins
Baking Apple Spice Muffins from scratch has some great advantages over buying pre-made ones.
When you make them yourself, you can control the ingredients and use high quality items like fresh apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, and whole wheat flour. Store-bought muffins often use preservatives, artificial flavors, and less wholesome ingredients.
Plus, baking them at home is much more affordable than buying gourmet bakery muffins. And since you can bake them fresh right before eating, they’ll be moist and flavorful instead of stale. Making your own apple spice muffins takes a bit more effort but pays off in freshness and quality ingredients.
Ingredients Needed
Dry Ingredients
- All-Purpose Flour– Provides structure and rise to the muffins.
- Baking Powder & Baking Soda – Leaveners that produce carbon dioxide bubbles to make the muffins light and fluffy.
- Salt– Enhances overall flavor.
- Cinnamon, Cloves and Nutmeg– Warm spices that complement the apple flavor.
Apples
- Granny Smith Apples– Tart and firm, holds their shape well when baked.
- Brown Sugar and Cinnamon– Sweetens apples and adds warmth.
- Flour– Thickens released juices and prevents mushiness.
Wet Ingredients
- Eggs– Bind ingredients, add moisture, structure, and richness.
- Granulated sugar– Sweetens muffins and aids in browning.
- Oil– Adds moisture and tender texture.
- Buttermilk– Reacts with baking soda for rise, adds tang.
- Vanilla– Provides depth of flavor.
Crumble Topping
- Granulated and Brown Sugar– Sweetens and caramelizes topping.
- Flour– Binds ingredients and provides crisp texture.
- Butter– Incorporates into flour for tender, flaky crumbles.
- Cinnamon– Adds flavor and warmth.
Turn Milk into Buttermilk with this Easy Hack
Buttermilk is often called for in recipes, but you may not always have it on hand. Also, store-bought containers are large and most of it goes to waste.
Luckily, you can easily make a quick substitute by mixing 1 cup of milk (minus 1 tablespoon) with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar. Allow the mixture to sit for 5-10 minutes. The acidity helps cause the milk to thicken and develop the tangy flavor of buttermilk. This easy hack lets you make buttermilk with ingredients you likely already have at home.
Secrets To a Perfect Crumb Topping Using Melted Butter
Perfect crumb topping starts with properly melted butter. To melt the butter, cube it straight from the fridge then microwave on a lower power level such as power level 4 for 20-30 seconds. Repeat until the butter is just melted. This will ensure that the butter does not brown. Melted butter is much easier to incorporate than cold slices of butter.
Next, pour the melted butter over the thoroughly mixed dry crumb ingredients. Gently mix the crumb topping just until combined. Be careful not to over mix. This method will create both large and small chunks which will give the muffins variety in the crumb size and texture.
How To Make Apple Spice Muffins
- Preheat oven 425°F. Line muffin tins or spray with nonstick cooking spray.
- Mix dry ingredients in one bowl. Toss apples with sugar, cinnamon, flour in another bowl.
- Beat eggs, sugar, vanilla, buttermilk in large bowl.
- Mix sugar, flour, cinnamon in small bowl. Melt butter and add to dry ingredients. Stir for chunks.
- Add flour mixture to wet ingredients, stirring just until combined. Add apples, stir again just until combined.
- Scoop batter into muffin tins, top with crumb topping.
- Bake 5 mins at 425°F, reduce to 375°F. Bake 18-22 mins until browned and toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool 5-10 mins before removing from tins. Enjoy muffins warm or store airtight once cooled.
Variations of Apple Spice Crumb Muffins
- Apple Nut Muffins– Add a cup of chopped walnuts or pecans to the batter for added crunch and flavor. Fold them in along with the diced apples.
- Apple Caramel Muffins- Drizzle a spoonful of caramel sauce over the top of each muffin. The caramel will create a delicious gooey layer.
- Apple Maple Muffins- Remove the granulated sugar in the recipe and add an equal amount of maple syrup. This will impart a lovely maple flavor to the muffins.
- Gluten-Free Apple Spice Muffins- Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to make the recipe suitable for those following a gluten-free diet.
- Vegan Apple Spice Muffins- Replace the eggs with a suitable vegan egg substitute, such as flax eggs or applesauce, and use a plant-based milk (like flax or soy milk) in place of buttermilk. Note: See “Turn Milk into Buttermilk” section for more details.
- Apple Cranberry Muffins- Include a 1/2 cup of dried cranberries to the batter along with the diced apples. The tartness of the cranberries complements the sweetness of the apples.
Creative Uses For Apple Spice Crumb Muffins
There are many delicious ways to enjoy Apple Spice Crumb Muffins. Here are some ideas for their use:
- Breakfast, Brunch or Afternoon Tea- Serve the muffins as a delightful breakfast or brunch treat. Pair them with a hot cup of coffee, tea, or a glass of milk for a satisfying start to the day or special afternoon treat.
- Snack on the Go- These muffins make for a convenient and portable snack. Pack them in a lunchbox, take them to work, or enjoy them during outdoor activities like picnics or hikes.
- Dessert- Transform the muffins into a delectable dessert. Warm them slightly and serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. The combination of warm muffins and cold creamy toppings is delightful.
- Holiday Treat- These muffins are perfect for autumn or winter holidays. Serve them during Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any festive gathering as a seasonal dessert or addition to a dessert buffet.
- Gift Giving- Wrap a batch of these muffins in a decorative box or bag and share them as homemade gifts for friends, family, or neighbors. They make thoughtful and tasty presents for special occasions.
- Bread Pudding- Transform leftover or slightly stale muffins into a delicious apple spice crumb muffin bread pudding. Cut the muffins into cubes, soak them in a mixture of eggs, milk, sugar, and spices, then bake until golden and set. Serve warm with a drizzle of caramel sauce or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Muffin Parfait- Create a delightful and visually appealing dessert by layering crumbled muffins, yogurt or whipped cream, and fresh apple slices in a glass or bowl. Repeat the layers and top with a sprinkle of cinnamon or a drizzle of honey for a tasty and balanced treat.
Frequently Asked Questions About Apple Spice Crumb Muffins
How do I make mini muffins instead of regular-sized muffins?
Since mini muffins are smaller in size, they will bake faster than regular-sized muffins. Reduce the baking time accordingly. Start checking for doneness around 10 minutes and adjust as needed.
What other apples can be used for these Apple Spice Muffins?
When selecting apples for baking choose varieties that are firm, crisp and have a balance of sweetness and tartness. Honeycrisp, Braeburn, Fuji, and Pink Lady are all good alternatives.
Can these muffins be frozen?
Yes, you can freeze apple spice crumb muffins! Freezing is a great way to extend their shelf life and enjoy them at a later time. Here’s how you can freeze them:
- Allow the muffins to cool completely after baking. It’s important to freeze them at room temperature to prevent excess moisture from forming.
- Individually wrap each muffin tightly in plastic wrap. This will help protect them from freezer burn and keep them fresh.
- Place the wrapped muffins in a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. Make sure to remove as much air as possible before sealing to prevent freezer burn.
Apple Spice Muffins
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp ground cloves
- 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
Apples
- 2 cups granny smith apples peeled and diced *approximately 2 med apples, See Note #1 below
- 2 tbsp brown sugar *packed
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
Wet Ingredients
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup oil *see Note #2 below
- 1 cup buttermilk *see Note #3 below
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Crumble Topping
- 3 tbsp granulated sugar
- 3 tbsp packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup & 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 5 tbsp butter *melted
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 ℉ and place rack in middle position.
Dry Ingredients
- In a medium sized mixing bowl, measure all dry ingredients. Stir thoroughly to incorporate spices well. Set aside
Apples
- Peel and cut apples into small chunks adding them to small bowl. Measure sugar, cinnamon and flour. Add to apples, stir well to cover all chunks. Set aside.
Wet Ingredients
- In a separate large mixing bowl beat eggs with a hand mixer until light and frothy, about 2 minutes.
- Add sugar and continue beating for 1 minute.
- Add vanilla and buttermilk. Beat until combined.
Crumb Topping
- Mix sugars, flour and cinnamon together in a small mixing bowl.
- Melt butter and pour over sugar mixture.
- Stir until the butter is just incorporated and both large and small chunks form. Set aside.
Assembly
- Line two 12 cup muffin tins with 18 cupcake liners or spray with a nonstick cooking spray.
- Working in batches of 3, add dry ingredients to wet and stir until just incorporated. Be careful to not over stir. There will still be lumps.
- Add apples and stir until just incorporated.
- With a small measuring cup or ice cream scoop, fill muffin cups to just above 3/4 full.
- Using a tablespoon, spoon crumb topping over batter dividing evenly among muffins.
- Bake at 425℉ for 5 mins. Reduce temperature to 375℉ and bake for 18 to 22 mins or until golden brown and toothpick comes out with just a few crumbs
- Let cool for 5-10 mins. Remove from muffin tins and let cool on wire rack. Enjoy while still warm and then store in an air tight container.
Notes
- Sunflower or Safflower Oil– These neutral-tasting oil can be used in most baked goods.
- Olive Oil– Extra virgin and virgin olive oils add nice flavor to quick breads and muffins.
- Avocado Oil– Pressed from avocados, this oil has a subtle flavor and can replace other oils.
Nutrition
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I made these over the weekend and they are so delicious. The apple and cinnamon flavors go so well together. My kitchen smelled absolutely wonderful while they were baking.