This easy Apple Cinnamon Muffin recipe is sweet and delicious and perfect for the a snack or breakfast addition. Packed full of apple flavor with a sweet crumb topping, you are going to love these easy-to-make muffins.
If you are all for apple season or just love the flavor of apple recipes, then you have to try this Apple Puff Pastry Turnovers or this Apple Cinnamon Bread. Homeade Apple Pie Spice is also so great to have on hand for many recipes.
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Table of contents
Best Cinnamon Apple Muffins with Crumb Topping
I love the fall and it is also apple season which means that you have a lot of fresh apples to cook and bake with. That got me thinking! Apple pie is always a favorite and streusel is such a wintery dessert. But I just love a muffin! So why not combine all three?
The flavors of apple pie in these delicious, moist muffins with a golden brown crumb topping make these the best apple muffins! I guarantee the whole family is going to love this recipe.
Ingredients/shopping list
For the Muffins:
Apple pie filling – The main flavor of these easy muffins is apple pie filling. You can buy this ready-made or make your own with fresh apples.
Yellow cake mix – This is the secret to helping make fluffy muffins. The cake mix takes all the hassle out of making these muffins.
Cinnamon – You can’t have apple without the warm cinnamon flavor. It is just one of those flavor pairings that just works. This adds extra flavor and balances out the sharp flavor of the apple.
Egg – The egg helps bind the ingredients together.
For the Streusel topping:
Flour – The flour combined with the butter helps to create that crumbly texture. You can use normal white or all-purpose flour.
Light brown sugar – Sugar adds extra texture and crunch to the streusel topping and the perfect amount of sweetness.
Ground Cinnamon – Continuing with the fall flavors cinnamon flavor really transforms this crumble topping.
Butter – The second essential ingredient to the streusel topping. Balancing the butter and the flour will give you that crumbly texture.
Variations/ Substitutions
1. Add some extra texture and flavor to the cinnamon streusel topping? Adding chopped pecans or walnuts is a great addition to this easy recipe.
2. Swap the brown sugar for white sugar in the topping.
3. You can use cinnamon sugar that has already been premixed in the streusel.
4. Drizzle some caramel sauce over the top for extra sweetness. You could also use salted caramel if you want to contrast the flavors.
5. Substitute the yellow cake mix for the white cake mix if you wish. Spice cake mix also works well with the apple but you may want to avoid adding the cinnamon.
6. Grate some carrots into the mix as well. Carrots add a lovely sweetness and work well with the apple flavors.
How to Make this Apple Muffin Recipe
This is an amazing recipe made with just a few simple ingredients that makes them a perfect quick breakfast treat or sweet dessert.
Step 1 – Preheat the oven to 350° F and line a muffin pan with paper liners or spray each cup with non-stick cooking spray.
Step 2 – In a large bowl, add the apple pie filling and cut the apple slices into small pieces. (I love using my kitchen sheers to do this).
Step 3 – Add the dry cake mix, cinnamon, and egg to the same bowl as the diced apple pieces and stir to blend together completely.
Step 4 – Spoon batter into the liners in the muffin pan.
Step 5 – Make the crumb topping – In a small bowl, add the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter and mix until all the dry ingredients are coated in the butter.
Step 6 – Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar topping evenly over top of the muffin batter.
Step 7 – Bake the muffins for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Step 8 – Remove from the oven and let them cool in the muffin tin for 5 minutes then transfer them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
Tips
- Avoid overmixing the muffin batter. This can cause the muffins to become dense and chewy when baked. For the best muffins, use the folding-in method, especially when adding the apple pie filling.
- Use an ice cream scoop or a cookie scoop to fill the muffin cups easily with less mess.
- Make mini muffins if you’d like. Reduce the cooking time to 12-14 minutes.
- Serve them on their own or add a scoop of vanilla ice cream. You could also enjoy them hot or cold. I guarantee these will become your new favorite muffins
FAQ’s
The apple muffins will stay fresh in an airtight container for up to 3 days. You can store them at room temperature. You can also store them in the refrigerator for up to 5-7 days.
Yes, you can freeze these muffins for up to 3 months. Place them in a freezer-safe container or in freezer bags, and freeze. Defrost the muffins at room temperature or in the microwave for a few seconds before serving!
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Apple Cinnamon Muffins
Ingredients
For the Muffins
- 21 ounces apple pie filling
- 1 yellow cake mix
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 large egg
For the Streusel topping:
- 1 cup flour
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 5 tablespoons butter melted
Instructions
Make the muffin batter
- Preheat the oven to 350° F and line a muffin pan with paper liners or spray each cup with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, add the apple pie filling and cut the slices into small pieces. I love using my kitchen sheers to do this.21 ounces apple pie filling
- Add in the dry cake mix, cinnamon and egg to the same bowl as the diced apples and stir to blend together completely.1 yellow cake mix, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 large egg
- Spoon batter into the liners in the muffin pan.
Make the Streusel Topping
- In a small bowl, add the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter and mix until all the dry ingredients are coated in the butter.1 cup flour, ¼ cup light brown sugar, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, 5 tablespoons butter
- Sprinkle the topping evenly over the muffin batter in the muffin tin.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Remove from the oven and allow the muffins to cool in the pan for 5 minutes then transfer them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclosure
Nutritional facts are estimates and are provided as a courtesy to the reader. Please utilize your own brand nutritional values to double check against our estimates. Nutritional values are calculated via a third party. Changing ingredients, amounts or cooking technique will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.
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Becky Davis
The recipes sound so good. I am going to make some this weekend.