Golden Apple Muffins

These apple muffins are exceptionally easy to make, offering a delightful blend of warm cinnamon and tender apples, all crowned with a delicious streusel crumb topping.

Welcome to your new favorite fall-inspired treat! These delightful apple muffins are not just simple to whip up; they are a true celebration of comforting flavors and perfect textures. Imagine sinking your teeth into a muffin that is incredibly soft and moist, brimming with tender, spiced apple pieces, and crowned with an irresistibly buttery crumb topping. This recipe delivers exactly that – a flavorful muffin that will have everyone asking for more. It’s the quintessential autumn bake, perfect for cozy mornings, afternoon snacks, or sharing with loved ones.

What sets these apple muffins apart and makes them a must-try? It all comes down to their superior texture. Our unique recipe utilizes an oil-based batter, which is the secret to achieving muffins that remain exceptionally moist and tender for days. Unlike butter-based muffins that can sometimes dry out quickly, these stay wonderfully soft and delicious, making them ideal for meal prep or enjoying throughout the week. Each muffin is generously packed with fresh, sweet apple pieces, meticulously coated in a blend of cinnamon and a touch of flour. This special coating ensures the apples are beautifully distributed throughout every muffin, preventing them from sinking to the bottom during baking. The result is a consistent burst of apple-cinnamon goodness in every single mouthful, further enhanced by that delightful crunchy streusel topping.

Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting your culinary journey, my detailed tips, clever tricks, and comprehensive process photos are designed to guide you through every step effortlessly. You’ll gain the confidence to create bakery-quality muffins right in your own kitchen. If you’re as passionate about apple desserts as I am, you absolutely must add these to your baking repertoire! And for more delightful apple-inspired treats, don’t forget to explore my highly-rated apple cider muffins, another fan favorite.

Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Apple Muffin Recipe

There are countless reasons why these delightful apple muffins will quickly become a cherished staple in your kitchen, especially as the crisp autumn air arrives. Beyond their incredibly simple preparation, they offer a harmonious combination of textures and flavors that are truly unmatched, making them an instant classic.

• Unbelievably Moist and Tender Texture: Thanks to the thoughtfully crafted oil-based batter, these muffins achieve and maintain an exceptional level of moistness and tenderness for several days. Say goodbye to dry, crumbly muffins; ours are consistently soft and delightful with every bite.
• Perfectly Spiced Apple Filling: Each muffin is generously loaded with small, tender pieces of fresh apple. These apples are pre-tossed in a fragrant blend of cinnamon and a hint of flour, a crucial step that ensures they are evenly distributed throughout the batter and burst with comforting flavor.
• Irresistible Crumb Topping: The sweet, buttery streusel topping is a game-changer. It adds a wonderful textural contrast with its delightful crunch and introduces an extra layer of cinnamon-sugar goodness that perfectly complements the soft, airy muffin beneath.
• Effortless to Prepare: Whether you’re a novice baker or a seasoned pro, this recipe is designed for success. With clear, concise instructions and helpful visual guides, achieving bakery-quality results right in your own kitchen is entirely within reach.
• Versatile and Customizable: While utterly delicious as written, this recipe is incredibly adaptable. Feel free to experiment with your favorite apple varieties or incorporate additional mix-ins to create your unique signature muffins.
• Perfect for Any Occasion: These apple muffins are wonderfully versatile. They make for a comforting and satisfying breakfast, an ideal pick-me-up snack, or even a delightful dessert when you crave something sweet and wholesome.

Mastering Your Apple Muffins: Essential Baking Tips for Perfection

Achieving bakery-quality apple muffins with towering tops and a tender crumb is much simpler than you might think, especially when you apply these crucial baking insights. These expert tips will ensure your muffins are perfectly risen, wonderfully moist, and consistently delicious every single time you bake them.

• Tip 1: Accurate Flour Measurement is Paramount (The Spoon and Level Method): This is arguably the most vital tip for success in nearly any baking recipe, and particularly for muffins. Resist the urge to scoop your measuring cup directly into the flour bag; this action compacts the flour, leading to an excess amount in your batter. Instead, use a spoon to lightly aerate and fill your measuring cup, then use the straight edge of a knife or a leveler to gently scrape off any excess. Too much flour is the primary culprit behind dry, dense, and tough muffins.
• Tip 2: Dice Apples Thinly and Consistently: The size and uniformity of your apple pieces have a significant impact on both the final texture and the even cooking of your muffins. Aim for small, uniform dice (roughly ¼-inch cubes). This ensures that the apples soften beautifully and completely during the relatively short baking time. Additionally, smaller pieces guarantee a more even distribution throughout the batter, providing a delightful burst of fruit in every single bite.
• Tip 3: Employ the “Every Other Hole” Muffin Pan Trick: For impressive, oversized, and perfectly domed muffin tops that rival those from your favorite bakery, try this simple yet effective technique: place muffin liners in every other hole of your muffin tin. This strategy allows for superior heat circulation around each individual muffin, encouraging a more even rise and promoting the development of those coveted, tall muffin crowns.
• Tip 4: Avoid Overmixing the Batter at All Costs: Once you’ve combined your wet and dry ingredients, mix only until no streaks of dry flour remain. It’s perfectly normal, and even desirable, for the batter to have a few small lumps. Overmixing vigorously develops the gluten in the flour, which leads directly to tough, chewy muffins instead of the tender, fluffy texture we’re striving for. A gentle hand is key here.
• Tip 5: Utilize Room Temperature Ingredients for Optimal Batter: Ensure that all your refrigerated ingredients, such as eggs, milk, and applesauce, are at room temperature before you begin mixing. Room temperature ingredients emulsify much more effectively, creating a smoother, more uniform batter. This cohesion directly contributes to a lighter, more consistent texture and a better rise in your final baked goods.
• Tip 6: Embrace the Batter Resting Period: Allowing your muffin batter to rest for 10 to 15 minutes after mixing and before scooping into the muffin tin is a crucial, often overlooked, step. This brief rest period allows the flour to fully hydrate, gives the gluten strands a chance to relax, and jump-starts the leavening agents. All these factors collectively contribute to a significantly higher rise, a more tender crumb, and overall superior muffins.
• Tip 7: Implement the High-Heat Baking Start: Begin baking your muffins at a higher temperature (425°F / 220°C) for the initial 5 minutes, and then reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) for the remainder of the baking time. The intense initial blast of high heat creates a sudden surge of steam, which dramatically helps the muffins rise rapidly and achieve those beautiful, domed tops. It’s a professional trick that makes a big difference.

Ingredient Spotlight: What Makes These Muffins Shine

Each ingredient in this recipe plays a vital and intentional role in creating these exceptionally flavorful, moist, and tender apple muffins. Understanding the purpose behind each component can help you achieve perfect results every time you bake.

• Gala Apples: These are my preferred choice for their balanced sweet-tart flavor profile and their firm texture, which holds up beautifully during baking without becoming overly mushy. Other excellent apple varieties that work well include Honeycrisp for its crispness, Fuji for its sweetness, or a mix with Granny Smith if you prefer a more pronounced tart note.
• All-Purpose Flour: This forms the essential structure of our muffin. As highlighted in our tips, accurate measurement using the spoon-and-level method is critical to prevent a dry or dense crumb.
• Brown Sugar (Packed): Used generously in both the irresistible crumb topping and the muffin batter, brown sugar contributes a deep, rich caramel note and is key to retaining moisture, which ensures the muffins remain incredibly soft and tender.
• Ground Cinnamon, Ginger, & Nutmeg: This harmonious trio of warm, aromatic spices is carefully selected to perfectly complement the natural sweetness of the apples. Together, they create that signature cozy, autumnal flavor that makes these muffins so comforting. Do not underestimate the complexity that a hint of ginger and nutmeg adds to the dominant cinnamon flavor.
• Baking Powder & Baking Soda: These are our primary leavening agents, responsible for the muffins’ beautiful rise and airy texture. Baking powder provides the initial lift, while baking soda reacts with the acidic components in the recipe (such as applesauce) to give an additional boost and contribute to a tender crumb.
• Neutral Oil (Canola or Vegetable): This is truly the secret ingredient behind the muffins’ incredible moistness and extended freshness. Oil creates a remarkably tender crumb that remains soft for days, a significant advantage over butter, which can sometimes lead to baked goods that become dense and prone to drying out faster.
• Pure Vanilla Extract: A crucial flavor enhancer, pure vanilla extract elevates all the other ingredients, adding a touch of inherent sweetness and a deeply aromatic, comforting depth to the muffins.
• Large Eggs (Room Temperature): Eggs act as vital binders, providing essential structure to the muffins while also contributing to their overall moisture content. Ensuring eggs are at room temperature allows them to emulsify more effectively with other ingredients, resulting in a smoother, more cohesive, and ultimately more successful batter.
• Unsweetened Applesauce (Room Temperature): This ingredient adds natural sweetness and a significant boost of moisture without introducing excessive fat. It also plays a key role by interacting with the baking soda to further aid the muffins in rising beautifully.
• Milk (Room Temperature): Milk contributes to the muffin’s overall moisture level and helps in creating that desirable tender crumb. While any milk (dairy or non-dairy) will work, full-fat dairy milk often yields the richest and most satisfying results.
• Salt: A small but mighty ingredient, salt is essential for balancing the sweetness and enhancing the full spectrum of flavors present in both the muffins and the delicious crumb topping.

Recipe Variations and Customizations

While these apple muffins are absolutely perfect as they are, feel free to unleash your creativity and customize them to your personal preferences with these delicious variations and add-ins:

• Add a Nutty Crunch: For an extra layer of texture and rich flavor, fold in ½ cup of finely chopped walnuts or pecans into the muffin batter along with the prepared apples. The nutty crunch pairs wonderfully with the soft apples.
• Boost with Dried Fruit: Introduce additional sweetness and chewiness by incorporating ½ cup of dried cranberries, golden raisins, or finely chopped dried apricots into the batter. These additions make the muffins even more satisfying.
• Chocolate Chip Surprise: For a truly decadent twist that appeals to all ages, mix in ½ cup of mini chocolate chips (dark, milk, or white chocolate work well) with the apples. The melting chocolate creates pockets of pure delight.
• Brighten with Citrus Zest: A teaspoon of finely grated orange or lemon zest can magically brighten the entire flavor profile of the muffins, adding a subtle yet refreshing zing that cuts through the richness.
• Explore More Spices: If you enjoy adventurous flavors, experiment with other warm spices. A tiny pinch of ground cardamom or allspice, used alongside the cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg, can add an intriguing layer of complexity.
• Finish with a Glaze: For an elegant touch and an extra layer of sweetness, consider drizzling a simple powdered sugar glaze over the completely cooled muffins. To make it, whisk powdered sugar with a small amount of milk or apple cider until it reaches your desired consistency.
• Experiment with Different Apples: As previously mentioned, don’t hesitate to use your favorite baking apples. Granny Smith will infuse a delightful tartness that contrasts beautifully with the sweet batter, while Honeycrisp apples offer a wonderfully crisp bite that holds its texture even after baking.

Storing and Freezing Your Apple Muffins

These delicious apple muffins are so irresistible, they might not last long! However, if you happen to have any leftovers or wish to bake a batch ahead of time, here’s how to properly store them to maintain their exceptional freshness and flavor:

• Room Temperature Storage: Once your muffins have completely cooled, place them in an airtight container. They will stay wonderfully fresh and moist at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. To help absorb any excess moisture and prevent the bottoms from becoming soggy, you can place a clean paper towel on the bottom of the container before adding the muffins.
• Refrigeration (Optional): While not strictly necessary for short-term storage, you can refrigerate these muffins for up to a week. Be aware that refrigeration can sometimes slightly alter the texture of baked goods, making them a bit denser. For the best enjoyment, allow them to come to room temperature or gently warm them before serving.
• Freezing for Longer Enjoyment: Apple muffins freeze beautifully, making them perfect for future cravings or meal prepping! Once they are entirely cooled to room temperature, arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for about an hour until they are firm. This step prevents them from sticking together. Then, transfer the frozen muffins to a freezer-safe bag or an airtight container. They can be stored in the freezer for an impressive 2-3 months without losing quality.
• Reheating Frozen Muffins: To enjoy a warm, freshly baked-tasting muffin, simply remove it from the freezer. You can either microwave it for 30-60 seconds until heated through, or allow it to thaw at room temperature for a few hours. For an extra crisp topping and a wonderfully warm center, you can also gently reheat them in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for approximately 10-15 minutes.

Loved this recipe? I’d be absolutely thrilled if you could leave astar rating and review below to share your experience with other bakers! And don’t forget to tag me on Instagram @stephaniesweettreats with your beautiful apple muffin creations. For even more baking inspiration and delicious ideas delivered right to your feed, be sure to follow me on Pinterest.

Watch How It’s Made: Recipe Video

See every step of this easy recipe come to life! Watch my comprehensive video tutorial to ensure your apple muffins turn out perfectly moist, tender, and topped with that irresistible crumb, guiding you through each stage of the baking process for flawless results.

Ultimate Crumb Topping Apple Muffins

By Stephanie Rutherford

These delightful apple muffins are a masterpiece of flavor and texture, featuring an incredibly moist, cinnamon-spiced batter generously studded with tender apple pieces, all crowned with a golden, buttery crumb topping. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet snack!

Print Recipe
Pin Recipe
Leave a Review

Prep Time:
20 mins

Cook Time:
15 mins

Total Time:
35 mins

Servings:
12 Muffins

Ingredients

For the Crumb Topping

• ½ cup Brown sugar, packed
• 1 tsp Ground cinnamon
• ⅔ cup All-purpose flour
• ¼ cup Unsalted butter, melted

For the Cinnamon Apples

• 1 ½ cups Gala apples, diced small (about 2 medium apples)
• 2 tsp All-purpose flour
• ½ tsp Ground cinnamon

For the Muffins

• 2 ¼ cups All-purpose flour
• 2 tsp Ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp Ground ginger
• ¼ tsp Ground nutmeg
• 2 tsp Baking powder
• ½ tsp Baking soda
• ½ tsp Salt
• ½ cup Canola or vegetable oil
• ¾ cup Brown sugar, packed
• 1 tsp Pure vanilla extract
• 2 Large eggs, room temperature
• ½ cup Unsweetened applesauce, room temperature
• ½ cup Milk, room temperature

Instructions

Prepare the Crumb Topping

1. In a small bowl, combine the packed brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and all-purpose flour. Pour in the melted unsalted butter. Use a fork to mix the ingredients thoroughly until they form moist, coarse crumbs. Place this bowl in the refrigerator while you prepare the rest of the muffin batter.

Prepare the Spiced Apples

2. Peel and core the Gala apples, then chop them into small, even pieces (approximately ¼-inch dice). The small size is essential for ensuring they cook evenly and are distributed throughout the muffins. In a separate small bowl, toss the diced apples with 2 teaspoons of all-purpose flour and ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon until the apples are well coated. Set this aside.

Mix the Muffin Batter

3. In a medium-sized bowl, sift together the 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ground ginger, ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg, 2 teaspoons baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, and ½ teaspoon salt. Sifting helps to combine the dry ingredients evenly and prevents lumps. Set this bowl aside.
4. In a large mixing bowl, add the ½ cup canola or vegetable oil, ¾ cup packed brown sugar, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, 2 room temperature large eggs, ½ cup room temperature unsweetened applesauce, and ½ cup room temperature milk. Whisk these wet ingredients together vigorously until they are thoroughly combined and smooth.
5. Gradually add the sifted dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Using a baking rubber spatula, gently fold the mixture until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few streaks of flour are acceptable. Overmixing will result in tough muffins. Finally, gently fold in the cinnamon-coated diced apples until they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.

Bake the Muffins

6. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line two standard 12-cup muffin pans with paper liners. For best results and bigger muffin tops, fill every other hole (you will use 12 liners across two pans, or fill one 12-cup pan and reuse it). Let the muffin batter rest in the bowl for 10 minutes before scooping; this short rest significantly aids in a higher, more beautiful rise.
7. Using a large cookie scoop or an ice cream scoop, fill each prepared muffin liner generously with batter, almost all the way to the top. Retrieve the crumb topping from the refrigerator. Use your hands to crumble a generous amount over the top of each muffin batter-filled liner.
8. Place the muffin pans into the preheated oven and bake at 425°F (220°C) for precisely 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, without opening the oven door unnecessarily, reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) and continue baking for another 10-13 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
9. Once baked, remove the muffin pans from the oven and allow the muffins to cool in the hot pans for 10 minutes. This allows them to set properly and prevents them from sticking. After 10 minutes, transfer the muffins to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy warm or at room temperature!

Baker’s Notes & Troubleshooting

Flour Measurement: Always use the spoon-and-level method for measuring flour. Scooping directly can add up to 25% more flour, leading to dry and dense muffins. If you have a kitchen scale, 1 cup of all-purpose flour typically weighs around 120-125 grams.
High Altitude Baking: If you are baking at a high altitude (above 3,500 feet), you may need to adjust the recipe slightly. A common adjustment is to add an extra 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour and slightly decrease the leavening agents (baking powder/soda) by about ¼ teaspoon. You might also need to increase liquids by 1-2 tablespoons and bake at a slightly higher temperature.
Room Temperature Ingredients: For the best emulsion and texture, ensure dairy ingredients (milk, eggs, applesauce) are at room temperature. Take them out of the refrigerator at least 30 minutes to 1 hour before you plan to start baking. This helps create a smooth, homogenous batter.
Preventing Sinking Apples: Coating the diced apples in flour and cinnamon before adding them to the batter is crucial. The flour helps them cling to the batter and prevents them from sinking to the bottom during baking.
Storage: Muffins are best enjoyed fresh, but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. They also freeze exceptionally well for longer storage.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 337kcal


Carbohydrates: 50g


Protein: 4g


Fat: 14g


Saturated Fat: 3g


Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g


Monounsaturated Fat: 7g


Trans Fat: 0.2g


Cholesterol: 11mg


Sodium: 225mg


Potassium: 108mg


Fiber: 2g


Sugar: 25g


Vitamin A: 148IU


Vitamin C: 1mg


Calcium: 84mg


Iron: 2mg

Did you make this recipe?
Please leave a star rating and review below!