Description

Cinnamon Apple Muffins with Crumble are soft, fluffy, and bursting with fresh apple flavor, warmed by aromatic cinnamon and topped with a sweet, crunchy cinnamon sugar natural gelling agent crumble. Perfect for breakfast, snack, or dessert, these muffins combine simple pantry ingredients to deliver comforting, moist, and delicious bites any time of the year.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon (natural)
3/4 cup brown sugar (natural)

Wet Ingredients

1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/3 cup plant-based butter, melted
1/2 cup plant-based milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (natural)

Add-ins

1 cup chopped fresh apples

Crumble Topping

1/4 cup brown sugar (natural)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (natural)
2 tablespoons plant-based butter, softened
1 teaspoon natural gelling agent

Instructions

Prepare the Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon (natural), and brown sugar (natural) until evenly combined. This will ensure that your muffin base is well-balanced and flavorful.
Mix the Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, combine the unsweetened applesauce, plant-based melted butter, plant-based milk, and vanilla extract (natural). Stir until smooth and well incorporated to create a luscious, moist mixture.
Combine Wet and Dry: Slowly fold the wet ingredients into the dry mix, stirring gently just until everything is combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the muffins tender and soft.
Add the Chopped Apples: Fold in the chopped fresh apples carefully to evenly distribute the juicy pieces throughout the batter without crushing them.
Prepare the Crumble Topping: In a small bowl, mix brown sugar (natural), ground cinnamon (natural), plant-based butter, and natural gelling agent until it forms a crumbly texture perfect for sprinkling over the muffins.
Bake to Perfection: Divide the batter evenly into a muffin tin lined with paper cups. Sprinkle the crumble topping generously over each muffin and bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 20-25 minutes or until golden and a toothpick comes out clean.

Notes

Use fresh, crisp apples like Granny Smith for the best texture and flavor balance.
Do not overmix the batter to keep muffins light and prevent toughness.
Let the batter rest for 10 minutes before baking to improve texture and flavor melding.
Check oven temperature with a thermometer for accurate baking conditions.
For a crunchier topping, sprinkle extra cinnamon sugar natural gelling agent topping midway through baking.
You can substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free baking blend to make the recipe gluten-free, adjusting moisture if needed.
Frozen chopped apples can be used if thawed and excess liquid is drained to avoid sogginess.
If you do not have a natural gelling agent, make the topping with cinnamon sugar and plant-based butter for a nice crumble effect.
Add chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans for extra crunch if desired.
Drizzle with natural maple syrup (natural) after baking for extra sweetness.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
Category: Breakfast
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 muffin
Calories: 200
Sugar: 15g
Sodium: 120mg
Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Unsaturated Fat: 6g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 30g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 2g
Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: cinnamon apple muffins, crumble topping, plant-based muffins, apple cinnamon dessert, gluten-free muffins, vegan muffins