These spiced apple crumble muffins have a gorgeous crunchy cinnamon crumble topping. For us they are a tasty after school snack or even dessert with some ice cream.
There is something about adding apples and cinnamon to a cake that makes it just irresistible. I made three bakes with apple and cinnamon at the end of last year and I am still baking with those flavours!
This time I went for spiced muffins with a crumble topping. I love crumbles and one way of making a muffin that little bit extra special is to add a crumble topping. Crunchy, sweet and spicy! Yummy!
Some people love chocolate muffins and some people love fruity muffins. I am firmly in the fruity muffins camp, although the rest of my family would probably opt for chocolate!
The great thing about apple muffins or any fruity muffin is that you can make yourself feel good by telling yourself you're eating fruit. Ok, they are still muffins and I'm not trying to pretend they are a super healthy bake. However, any extra fruit has got to be a good thing!
What ingredients do you need for these muffins?
You don't need anything unusual or fancy to make a batch of these simple apple crumble muffins. For the muffins themselves you just need flour, sugar, an egg, melted butter, apple of course and some spice.
For the streusal or crumble topping I use oats, flour, sugar and butter. I used a mix of soft brown cinnamon sugar and white sugar. You can use all one type of sugar though. Just add some cinnamon.
What kind of flour do you need?
I used self-raising flour and added a little extra baking powder just to really help them rise. If you don't have self-raising flour you can use plain flour plus 2.5 teaspoon baking powder.
Can you adapt this apple crumble muffins recipe?
I kept the diced apple very small in these muffins as my children are likely to pick out the fruit pieces if they are too big. Feel free to add larger chunks if your family love the soft apple pieces. You could easily get away with adding an extra apple too to make them even fruitier. Or why not add a few raisins?
Can you use different spices?
I love the combination of apple and cinnamon, as you can probably tell from the amount of recipes I have! However, you could use ground ginger instead or even mixed spice. Personally I think apple and ginger crumble muffins would be amazing!
Can you substitute the apple and use another fruit in these muffins?
If you want to make another kind of fruity crumble muffin then these apple crumble muffins are easy to adapt. You could use whole or frozen berries, diced pears, plums or even peaches.
Can you adapt the crumble topping for the muffins?
The crumble topping can be adapted too. If you want to use wholemeal flour to make the muffins a bit healthier then go ahead. Spelt flour would also work well. You could even add a few chopped nuts if you like a nutty crumble.
How long can you store these apple crumble muffins?
These apple crumble muffins keep well for up to three days in an airtight container. You can also freeze them for up to three months. Just defrost at room temperature for a couple of hours before eating.
When to eat these apple crumble muffins
In our family we love to eat these muffins as a dessert or snack. They are brilliant as an after school snack for the children. They are also lovely in packed lunches.
If we eat them for dessert they are amazing warm with some ice cream or custard.
You can eat muffins for breakfast too. So, if you love a recipe that you really can eat at any time of day then these are a good choice!
More apple and cinnamon recipes
Why not try one of these delicious apple and cinnamon bakes?
Recipe
Spiced Apple Crumble Muffins
Ingredients
- 2 apples peeled, cored and diced into small pieces (160g)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 300 g self-raising flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon or mixed spice
- Pinch salt
- 190 g caster sugar
- 210 ml milk
- 100 g butter melted
- 1 large egg beaten
For the Crumble Topping
- 60 g plain white flour
- 20 g porridge oats
- 30 g white sugar
- 15 g brown cinnamon sugar (approx ⅓ cinnamon, ⅔ soft brown sugar)
- 40 g butter melted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180C fan.
- Put the apple pieces in a bowl with the lemon juice. Stir and set aside for a moment.
- Make the crumble topping by mixing all the topping ingredients together with a fork
- Put all the dry ingredients for the muffins in a bowl and stir.
- Add the milk, butter and egg. Fold together until just combined.
- Stir in the apple pieces
- Spoon the mixture into the muffin cases.
- Sprinkle some of the crumble topping onto all the muffins.
- Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes.
- Cook on a wire rack.
Notes
Nutrition
Pin for later
Places I've shared these cinnamon apple crumble muffins
Cook Once Eat Twice hosted by me, Corina, here at Searching for Spice
Bake of the Week hosted by Helen at Casa Costello
Kate - gluten free alchemist
Oh yes! Apple and cinnamon is most addictive. I saw these muffins in one of the linky round-ups. SO inviting. That crumble topping shouts 'eat me'!
Corina Blum
Thanks Kate! Crumble toppings are one of my favourite things! x
Angela / Only Crumbs Remain
I just LOVE the sound of these Corina! I mean you just can't beat spiced apple bakes - and for mean the killer blow is the crumble topping! Yum! Thanks so much for linking up with #BakingCrumbs
Angela x
Kirsty Hijacked By Twins
Oh wow Corina these look soooooo good! I love spiced apples and in a muffin = perfect! Thank you for sharing with #CookBlogShare x
Corina Blum
They were so good Kirsty! I definitely need to make some more crumble muffins soon. x
Kat (The Baking Explorer)
I love this idea of turning apple crumble into a muffin! They look yummy!
Corina Blum
Thanks Kat! They are yummy! I'm wondering about maybe adding some apple sauce to the middle of the muffins next time too as a bit of an experiment.
Julie
These muffins are great for pack lunches, I think my kids would love them. Commenting as BritMums Baking Round-up Editor 🙂 .
Corina Blum
Thanks Julie! They are definitely a great choice for packed lunches.
Jo @ Jo's Kitchen Larder
These look so delicious and I agree that the crumble topping makes them even more special plus got to love a bit of crunch in otherwise soft bake. x
Corina Blum
Exactly Jo! I love a crumble topping and I think I'm going to experiment more with apple crumble bars next.
jenny paulin
mmmmm I love making crumble topped cakes because it combines two delicious things: crumble and cake. Comfort food at its best I say! Thank you for linking to #Bakeoftheweek x
Corina Blum
I think I need to make more cakes like this Jenny! I just love the crumble topping.
Corina Blum
Thanks Jenny! I think the crumble topping really finishes off the muffins - definitely comfort food. x
Michelle Frank | Flipped-Out Food
You had me at "apple" and "crumble". I am not a chocolate cake lover, but give me anything with apples, cinnamon, and crumbly bits, and I'm a happy, happy girl.
Corina Blum
You're in good company here! I am missing those apple crumble muffins so much as I write this!
Cat
Apple and cinnamon are some of my absolute favourite flavours. Love the crumble topping too, these look so tasty x
Corina Blum
Thanks Cat! These are super yummy - I do like crumble toppings x
Mandy
These look lovely Corina - I'm totally with you on the fruity muffins thing and apple and cinnamon are one of the best flavours out there.
Corina Blum
They are, aren't they? I've made so many apple and cinnamon things recently though - I should probably try something different next time!
Harry's Honest Mummy
These will be a winner in our house. Everyone of us loves apple crumble, plus we are all partial to a muffin, put them all together and BOOM! A slice of heaven. Thanks for sharing #recipeoftheweek
Corina Blum
I'm so pleased they'll be a hit in your house too!
Donna
I love muffins, but I've never had apple flavour! These look awesome though so I will give it a go! #CookBlogShare
Corina Blum
I'm so pleased you like these. I just love anything with a crumble topping!
Jessica Cantoni
Hmmm I'm loving the apple theme we've all got going at the moment! I would say i'm in both camps. I love chocolate AND apple (maybe together?!) x
http://www.jesseatsandtravels.com
Corina Blum
Why not together?! I have to say I don't think I've ever made anything with apple and chocolate but I'd certainly be happy to test something out x
Angèle @ A Cup of Sprinkles
Oh I'll have to try these ! Apple crumbles are one of my favorite desserts !
Corina Blum
Apple crumble is so good, isn't it? I hope you like these!
Priya Joshi
These look yummy Corina! Do you think it'd work with grated apples? I love apple flavours but don't like the texture of cooked fruit...
Corina Blum
I'm sure grated apple would be fine. You might need to just squeeze a little of the moisture out with some kitchen paper first as apples are very juicy when grated.
Mimi
Beautiful. Now that my grand daughter is older, I'm going to have to remember to make muffins with her! I don't make many quick breads, probably haven't since my kids left home!
Corina Blum
My children love making muffins with me - It's a lovely activity to do together!
Louise (Cooking with Kids)
Ooh, these sound great. I love the crumble topping and I agree, apple and cinnamon work really well together.
Corina Blum
Apple and cinnamon are great, aren't they? I'm so pleased you like them.
Chris
Never tried making a crumble-topped cake so this might be my first! The photo is stunning.
Corina Blum
Thanks Chris! I'm sure you'll love these if you do make them.