Description
These Moist Apple Muffins with Brown Sugar Streusel are a comforting, family-friendly treat perfect for breakfast or snacks. They feature tender muffins packed with fresh apples, topped with a crunchy brown sugar streusel.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1.5 tsp baking powder
- 0.5 tsp baking soda
- 0.25 tsp salt
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 0.5 tsp ground nutmeg
- 2 large eggs
- 0.75 cup milk
- 0.5 cup vegetable oil
- 0.5 cup granulated sugar
- 0.75 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 medium fresh apples, about 2 cups diced
- 4 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tsp flour, for tossing apples
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Muffin Tin: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a standard 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
- Prepare Streusel Topping: In a small bowl, combine 0.5 cup all-purpose flour, 0.25 cup packed brown sugar, 0.5 tsp ground cinnamon, and 4 Tbsp melted unsalted butter. Mix with a fork until coarse, moist crumbs form. Set aside.
- Whisk Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together 1.5 cups all-purpose flour, 1.5 tsp baking powder, 0.5 tsp baking soda, 0.25 tsp salt, 1.5 tsp ground cinnamon, and 0.5 tsp ground nutmeg until well combined.
- Whisk Wet Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together 2 large eggs, 0.75 cup milk, 0.5 cup vegetable oil, 0.5 cup granulated sugar, 0.5 cup packed brown sugar, and 1 tsp vanilla extract until smooth.
- Combine Batters and Fold Apples: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Mix gently with a spatula until just combined; a few lumps are fine. Toss the diced fresh apples with 1 tsp flour to prevent sinking, then fold them into the batter until barely moistened. If your batter seems overly dry, splash in 1-2 Tbsp more milk.
- Fill Muffin Cups and Top: Divide the batter evenly among the 12 prepared muffin cups. Top each generously with the prepared brown sugar streusel.
- Bake Muffins: Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until the muffins are golden brown on top and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The tops should spring back lightly when touched.
Notes
To prevent dry muffins, avoid overmixing the batter. Toss diced apples with 1 tsp flour to ensure they are distributed perfectly and do not sink. Ensure your streusel is truly crumbly and not too wet; if too buttery, add a little more flour and avoid pressing it down firmly. Always use paper liners, or grease and flour your muffin tin thoroughly to prevent sticking. Variations include: gluten-free (use a 1:1 GF flour blend), dairy-free (swap dairy milk for almond or oat milk and use plant-based butter for streusel), extra crunch (add 0.25 cup chopped walnuts or pecans to streusel), or lower sugar (reduce granulated sugar in muffin batter by 0.25 cup).
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 muffin
- Calories: 300 calories
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
Keywords: apple muffins, streusel, brown sugar, easy breakfast, fall baking, family-friendly, comforting, moist, snack, quick recipe