Apple Cinnamon Streusel Muffins

$- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour - 1 teaspoon baking powder - ½ teaspoon baking soda - ½ teaspoon salt - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon - ½ cup granulated sugar - ½ cup brown sugar, packed - ½ cup unsalted butter, softened - 2 large eggs - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - 1 cup unsweetened applesauce - 1 medium apple, peeled and diced (preferably Granny Smith) - ½ cup all-purpose flour - ⅓ cup brown sugar, packed - 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon - ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted - ½ cup rolled oats The ingredients for apple cinnamon streusel muffins are simple yet vital for a tasty treat. You start with dry ingredients. They form the base of your muffins. The flour, baking powder, and baking soda create the right rise. Salt enhances the flavors, while cinnamon adds warmth. Next, you gather the wet ingredients. The sugars sweeten the muffins and help them brown. Softened butter adds richness. Eggs bind the mix together. Vanilla gives a lovely aroma. Applesauce brings moisture and adds apple flavor. The diced apple gives bites of juicy goodness. Lastly, the streusel topping is a must. It adds a crunchy, sweet layer on top. The oats give it a hearty texture. The ground cinnamon in the topping ties all the flavors together. When baked, this topping becomes a golden crown on your muffins. Each ingredient plays a role in making these muffins delightful. Enjoy the process of mixing and baking, and soon you will have a batch of warm, fragrant muffins to share. - Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). - Line muffin tin with paper liners or grease lightly. - In a bowl, whisk together 1 ½ cups of flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. Set it aside. - In a large bowl, beat together ½ cup of softened butter, ½ cup of granulated sugar, and ½ cup of brown sugar until creamy. - Add 2 eggs, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 1 cup of applesauce. Mix until smooth. - Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Stir gently until just combined. - Fold in 1 medium apple, peeled and diced, until evenly spread in the batter. - For the streusel topping, mix ½ cup flour, ⅓ cup brown sugar, 2 teaspoons of cinnamon, ¼ cup melted butter, and ½ cup rolled oats in a small bowl until crumbly. - Divide the muffin batter evenly into the muffin cups, filling each about 2/3 full. - Generously sprinkle the streusel topping over each muffin. - Bake for 18-20 minutes. Check with a toothpick; it should come out clean. - Avoid overmixing the batter. This keeps the muffins light and fluffy. - Use room temperature ingredients. This helps them blend better and rise nicely. - Check doneness with a toothpick. Insert it into the center; it should come out clean. - Serve warm or at room temperature. Warm muffins taste best and bring out flavors. - Dust with powdered sugar. This adds a nice touch and makes them look pretty. - Pair with apple slices for garnish. Fresh apple slices complement the muffins perfectly. - Store muffins in an airtight container. This keeps them fresh for several days. - Reheat muffins in the microwave for a few seconds. This helps restore their soft texture. {{image_2}} For the best muffins, I suggest using Granny Smith apples. They add a nice tartness that balances the sweetness. You can also try Honeycrisp or Fuji apples for a sweeter taste. If you want to mix it up, seasonal fruits like pears or berries work well too. If you need gluten-free muffins, use almond or coconut flour instead of all-purpose flour. These flours give a nice texture. For a vegan option, replace butter with coconut oil and use flax eggs instead of chicken eggs. Just mix one tablespoon of flaxseed meal with three tablespoons of water for each egg. Want to add a twist? Toss in walnuts or pecans for crunch. You could also add chocolate chips for a sweet touch. For extra warmth, sprinkle in some nutmeg or ginger. These spices bring a cozy flavor that pairs well with apples. Enjoy trying these fun changes! To keep your apple cinnamon streusel muffins fresh, store them in the fridge. They will last about five days. Make sure to place them in an airtight container. This keeps them moist and prevents them from drying out. You can also wrap them in plastic wrap before putting them in the container. This extra layer helps seal in flavor. You can freeze these muffins for longer storage. First, let them cool completely. Then, wrap each muffin tightly in plastic wrap. Place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. This method keeps their taste and texture intact. To thaw, just remove a muffin and let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. You can also microwave it for a few seconds for a warm treat. Homemade muffins usually have a good shelf life. They generally last about one week at room temperature. However, the fridge or freezer extends their life. Signs your muffins have spoiled include a dry texture or an off smell. If you see mold, throw them away immediately. Enjoy your muffins while they are fresh for the best taste! Yes, you can use whole wheat flour. Whole wheat flour adds fiber and nutrients. It gives your muffins a nutty taste. The muffins may be denser but still tasty. You may need to add a bit more liquid. To make them healthier, reduce the sugar. You can cut the granulated sugar by half. Use unsweetened applesauce for added moisture. You can also replace some butter with Greek yogurt. This change lowers fat and adds protein. You can use several substitutes for eggs. Applesauce works well; use ¼ cup for each egg. Flaxseed meal mixed with water is another option. Mix 1 tablespoon of flaxseed with 2.5 tablespoons of water. Let it sit for a few minutes to thicken. Yes, you can make mini muffins! Fill each mini cup about halfway. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Check for doneness with a toothpick. Watch them closely, as they bake faster than regular muffins. To enhance cinnamon flavor, add a pinch of nutmeg. You can also increase the amount of ground cinnamon slightly. Consider using cinnamon extract for a stronger taste. Mixing cinnamon into the apples adds extra flavor as well. This blog shared a simple recipe for apple muffins with a crunchy streusel topping. You learned about the essential dry and wet ingredients needed and the step-by-step process to bake them. I also provided tips for perfect muffins and a few variations to explore. Remember, these muffins are great warm or stored for later. Have fun baking and enjoy every bite!$

Indulge in the warm, cozy flavors of homemade Apple Cinnamon Streusel Muffins! Perfect for breakfast or a sweet snack, these muffins combine soft, spiced apple goodness with a crunchy streusel topping. With easy-to-follow steps, you can bake up a dozen of these delicious treats in under 30 minutes. Click to explore the full recipe and bring the taste of fall into your kitchen today!

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Ingredients

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ cup granulated sugar

½ cup brown sugar, packed

½ cup unsalted butter, softened

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup unsweetened applesauce

1 medium apple, peeled and diced (preferably Granny Smith)

Streusel Topping:

½ cup all-purpose flour

⅓ cup brown sugar, packed

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

¼ cup unsalted butter, melted

½ cup rolled oats

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with paper liners or grease it lightly.

In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 ½ cups of flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until creamy and well combined.

Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then mix in the vanilla extract and applesauce until smooth.

Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.

Fold in the diced apple until evenly distributed throughout the batter.

For the streusel topping, in a small bowl combine ½ cup flour, ⅓ cup brown sugar, cinnamon, melted butter, and rolled oats. Mix until crumbly.

Divide the muffin batter evenly among the muffin cups, filling each about 2/3 full. Sprinkle the streusel topping generously over each muffin.

Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Allow the muffins to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Prep Time, Total Time, Servings: 15 mins | 30 mins | Makes about 12 muffins

- Presentation Tips: Serve the muffins warm on a decorative plate, dusted with powdered sugar, and accompanied by a small bowl of apple slices for a fresh touch.