Description

Bakery-style apple crumble muffins featuring tender chunks of Granny Smith apples in a perfectly spiced batter, topped with an irresistible cinnamon crumble. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon treat.

Ingredients

For the Muffins:

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (skip if you don’t have it)
1/2 cup unsalted butter, soft
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 large eggs, room temp
1/2 cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
1/3 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1½ cups Granny Smith apples, peeled and chopped

For the Crumble Topping:

1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

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Instructions

Step 1: Prep Your Kitchen

Heat oven to 400°F. Line muffin tin with papers or spray with oil. Don’t skip this step – I’ve had muffins stick and it’s heartbreaking.

Step 2: Make the Crumble Topping First

Mix flour, both sugars, and cinnamon in a bowl. Pour melted butter over it and stir with a fork until you get clumps. Set aside – doing this first saves time later.

Step 3: Prepare Your Dry Ingredients

Whisk flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg together. Mix well so you don’t get baking powder chunks in your muffins.

Step 4: Cream the Butter and Sugars

Beat softened butter with both sugars for 4 minutes until fluffy. This step matters – don’t rush it or your muffins will be dense.

Step 5: Add the Wet Ingredients

Add eggs one by one, then sour cream and vanilla. The mixture looks weird at this point but that’s normal.

Step 6: Bring It All Together

Add half the flour mixture, mix barely. Add milk, mix barely. Add remaining flour, mix just until combined. Stop mixing when you can’t see flour anymore.

Step 7: Fold in the Apples

Stir in apple pieces gently with a spoon. Don’t beat them to death – you want distinct apple chunks.

Step 8: Fill and Top

Scoop batter into muffin cups about 2/3 full. Sprinkle crumble on each one – be generous.

Step 9: Bake to Golden Perfection

Bake 18-22 minutes until tops are golden. Toothpick should have a few moist crumbs, not be totally clean. Cool in pan 5 minutes, then move to wire rack.

Notes

Stop mixing when flour disappears – lumpy batter makes tender muffins, smooth batter makes tough ones

Chop apples into 1/4-inch pieces – bigger chunks fall apart, smaller ones disappear

Check doneness with toothpick – should have wet crumbs stuck to it, not come out clean

Cool exactly 5 minutes in pan – longer makes bottoms soggy from steam

Spray your ice cream scoop – makes filling cups so much easier

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American