These Apple Spice Muffins are packed with both grated and diced apple for extra apple flavor. Topped with a cinnamon-pecan streusel and finished with a simple glaze, they’re a cozy fall favorite.
I love a tender muffin to start the day. While Carrot Zucchini Muffins and Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins are favorites, these Apple Spice Muffins are my pick for autumn—the warm spices and fresh apple make them irresistible.
How To Make Apple Spice Muffins
- Preheat oven to 350°F and prepare a 12-cup muffin tin with liners or nonstick spray.
- Mix dry ingredients. Whisk the flour, apple pie spice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl; set aside.
- Cream butter and sugars. Beat softened butter with granulated and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add wet ingredients. Stir in sour cream, vanilla, and eggs until just combined.
- Combine. With the mixer on low, add the dry mixture alternating with buttermilk, mixing only until blended.
- Fold in apples. Gently fold in both the finely chopped and grated apples.
- Portion batter. Divide batter evenly among the muffin cups, filling about three-quarters full.
- Add streusel. Make the streusel and sprinkle it over each muffin.
- Bake 26–28 minutes. Bake until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean or with a few crumbs.
- Glaze and serve. Whisk glaze until smooth and drizzle over cooled muffins.
How To Serve
These muffins are perfect for breakfast on the go, paired with coffee, or enjoyed as a sweet afternoon snack.
Recipe Tips
- Grate apples using the large holes of a box grater for the best texture.
- Use fresh baking powder and baking soda for reliable rise—replace about every six months after opening.
- Fill muffin cups only about three-quarters full to avoid overflow.
- Avoid overmixing the batter to keep muffins tender.
- Do not overbake; check for doneness with a toothpick. Cool in the pan for 5–10 minutes, then transfer to a rack.
Type Of Apple To Use
Gala is my first choice for both flavor and texture. Granny Smith or Honeycrisp also work well—choose an apple that’s firm enough to hold its shape while baking and not overly sweet.
Storage
Store muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze in a sealed container or bag for up to 2 months.
More Ways To Eat Apples For Breakfast
- Apple Cider Doughnuts
- Apple Cinnamon Roll Bake
- Apple Butter Muffins
- Caramel Apple French Toast
- Apple Crisp Coffee Cake
- Crockpot Apple Pie Cinnamon Roll Casserole
- Apple Pie French Toast Casserole
Apple Spice Muffins
Equipment
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Muffin tin
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Electric mixer (or hand mixer)
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons apple pie spice
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup packed light brown sugar
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup buttermilk
- ¾ cup finely chopped Gala apple
- ¾ cup grated Gala apple
Streusel
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup old-fashioned oats
- ⅓ cup packed light brown sugar
- ¼ cup chopped pecans
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons heavy cream
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350°F and line a 12-cup muffin pan with liners or spray with cooking spray.
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Whisk the flour, apple pie spice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
-
In a mixer bowl, beat butter with granulated and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
-
Add sour cream, vanilla, and eggs; beat until just combined.
-
With the mixer on low, add the dry ingredients alternating with buttermilk until just combined.
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Fold in the chopped and grated apples. Divide batter evenly among the 12 cups.
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Combine streusel ingredients in a small bowl, then sprinkle over each muffin.
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Bake 26–28 minutes. Allow muffins to cool slightly in the pan, then transfer to a cooling rack.
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Whisk powdered sugar with 2–3 tablespoons heavy cream to make a smooth glaze. Drizzle over cooled muffins.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.
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