Apple Strudel Muffins: A Delicious Twist on a Classic Dessert

Apple strudel is a beloved dessert, known for its flaky pastry, sweet apple filling, and warm spices. But what if you could enjoy all the flavors of apple strudel in a convenient, portable muffin? These apple strudel muffins are the perfect solution! They’re easy to make, bursting with apple cinnamon goodness, and ideal for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet treat any time of day.

This recipe combines the traditional flavors of apple strudel with the ease of muffin baking. We’ll be creating a moist and tender muffin base, studded with diced apples, and topped with a buttery, cinnamon-spiced streusel for that signature strudel crunch. Let’s get baking!

Why You’ll Love These Apple Strudel Muffins

* **Easy to Make:** This recipe is straightforward and doesn’t require any fancy techniques. Even beginner bakers can achieve perfect results.
* **Portable and Convenient:** Muffins are a great on-the-go snack or breakfast option.
* **Deliciously Flavorful:** The combination of apples, cinnamon, and buttery streusel is simply irresistible.
* **Customizable:** You can easily adapt this recipe to your liking by adding nuts, raisins, or other spices.
* **Perfect for Any Occasion:** These muffins are great for breakfast, brunch, potlucks, or a sweet treat.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s a breakdown of the ingredients you’ll need for these apple strudel muffins:

**For the Muffins:**

* **All-Purpose Flour:** The base of our muffin structure. Use a good quality all-purpose flour for best results. 3 cups (360g)
* **Baking Powder:** This is our leavening agent, helping the muffins rise and become light and airy. 2 teaspoons
* **Baking Soda:** Works in conjunction with baking powder to create a perfect texture. 1 teaspoon
* **Salt:** Enhances the flavors of the other ingredients. 1/2 teaspoon
* **Ground Cinnamon:** Adds that warm, classic apple strudel flavor. 1 teaspoon
* **Ground Nutmeg:** A hint of nutmeg complements the cinnamon and apples beautifully. 1/4 teaspoon
* **Unsalted Butter:** Provides richness and moisture to the muffins. Make sure it’s softened to room temperature for easy mixing. 1/2 cup (1 stick, 113g), softened
* **Granulated Sugar:** Adds sweetness and helps to create a tender crumb. 1 cup (200g)
* **Brown Sugar:** Adds moisture and a caramel-like flavor. Packed light or dark brown sugar will work. 1/2 cup (110g)
* **Eggs:** Bind the ingredients together and add richness. 2 large eggs
* **Vanilla Extract:** Enhances the flavor of the muffins. 1 teaspoon
* **Milk:** Adds moisture and helps to create a smooth batter. Whole milk is preferred, but you can use lower-fat milk. 1 cup (240ml)
* **Apples:** The star of the show! Use a variety that holds its shape well when baked, such as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji. 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced

**For the Streusel Topping:**

* **All-Purpose Flour:** Provides structure for the streusel. 1/2 cup (60g)
* **Granulated Sugar:** Adds sweetness and helps to create a crispy topping. 1/4 cup (50g)
* **Brown Sugar:** Adds moisture and a caramel-like flavor to the streusel. 1/4 cup (55g)
* **Ground Cinnamon:** Enhances the flavor of the streusel. 1/2 teaspoon
* **Unsalted Butter:** Provides richness and helps to bind the streusel together. Make sure it’s cold and cut into small cubes. 1/4 cup (1/2 stick, 56g), cold and cubed

Equipment You’ll Need

* **Muffin Tin:** A standard 12-cup muffin tin. You can also use silicone muffin liners.
* **Muffin Liners:** Optional, but they make cleanup much easier.
* **Mixing Bowls:** You’ll need at least two mixing bowls – one for the dry ingredients and one for the wet ingredients.
* **Whisk:** For combining the dry ingredients.
* **Electric Mixer:** A stand mixer or hand mixer will make creaming the butter and sugar much easier. You can also do it by hand, but it will require some elbow grease.
* **Rubber Spatula:** For scraping down the sides of the bowl and folding in the apples.
* **Measuring Cups and Spoons:** For accurate measuring.
* **Apple Peeler, Corer, and Dicer:** To prepare the apples.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Now, let’s get to the fun part – making these delicious apple strudel muffins! Follow these step-by-step instructions for perfect results.

**Step 1: Preheat and Prep**

* Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place muffin liners in a 12-cup muffin tin or grease the tin well with cooking spray.

**Step 2: Prepare the Streusel Topping**

* In a medium bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Mix well with a fork or whisk.
* Add the cold, cubed butter. Use a pastry blender or your fingers to cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. You want small pieces of butter distributed throughout the mixture. Don’t overmix.
* Set the streusel topping aside.

**Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients**

* In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. This ensures that the leavening agents are evenly distributed throughout the dry ingredients.

**Step 4: Cream the Butter and Sugar**

* In a separate large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This usually takes about 3-5 minutes with an electric mixer. Creaming the butter and sugar incorporates air into the mixture, which contributes to the light and tender texture of the muffins.

**Step 5: Add the Eggs and Vanilla**

* Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Make sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then, stir in the vanilla extract.

**Step 6: Alternate Adding Dry and Wet Ingredients**

* Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. This means you’ll add about one-third of the dry ingredients, then half of the milk, then another third of the dry ingredients, then the remaining milk, and finally the last third of the dry ingredients. This helps to prevent overmixing, which can result in tough muffins.
* Mix until just combined. Do not overmix! A few streaks of flour are okay.

**Step 7: Fold in the Apples**

* Gently fold in the diced apples until they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.

**Step 8: Fill the Muffin Cups**

* Fill each muffin cup about two-thirds full with batter. Using a cookie scoop can help to ensure even filling.

**Step 9: Sprinkle with Streusel Topping**

* Generously sprinkle the streusel topping over the top of each muffin.

**Step 10: Bake**

* Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. The muffins should be golden brown on top and spring back lightly when touched.

**Step 11: Cool**

* Let the muffins cool in the muffin tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents them from sticking to the tin.

Tips for Perfect Apple Strudel Muffins

* **Don’t Overmix:** Overmixing the batter will develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough muffins. Mix until just combined. A few streaks of flour are okay.
* **Use Room Temperature Ingredients:** Using room temperature butter, eggs, and milk will help the ingredients to combine more easily and create a smoother batter.
* **Measure Accurately:** Accurate measuring is important for baking success. Use measuring cups and spoons specifically designed for baking.
* **Don’t Overfill the Muffin Cups:** Overfilling the muffin cups will cause the muffins to overflow and create a messy bake.
* **Use a Good Quality Apple:** Choose a variety of apple that holds its shape well when baked, such as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji.
* **Adjust Baking Time as Needed:** Oven temperatures can vary, so adjust the baking time as needed. The muffins are done when a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
* **Let Cool Completely:** Allowing the muffins to cool completely before serving will prevent them from being soggy.

Variations and Substitutions

* **Add Nuts:** Add 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds to the batter for added crunch and flavor.
* **Add Raisins:** Add 1/2 cup of raisins to the batter for a touch of sweetness and chewiness.
* **Use Different Spices:** Experiment with different spices, such as cardamom, ginger, or cloves, to customize the flavor of the muffins.
* **Make it Gluten-Free:** Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to make these muffins gluten-free.
* **Make it Vegan:** Substitute the butter with vegan butter, the eggs with applesauce or flax eggs, and the milk with plant-based milk to make these muffins vegan.
* **Add a Glaze:** Drizzle a simple powdered sugar glaze over the cooled muffins for an extra touch of sweetness.

Serving Suggestions

These apple strudel muffins are delicious on their own, but here are a few serving suggestions to elevate your experience:

* **Serve warm with a pat of butter.**
* **Pair with a cup of coffee or tea.**
* **Enjoy as part of a brunch spread.**
* **Pack in a lunchbox for a sweet treat.**
* **Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert.**

Storage Instructions

* **Room Temperature:** Store the muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days.
* **Refrigerator:** Store the muffins in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
* **Freezer:** Freeze the muffins in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature.

Apple Strudel Muffin Recipe

Here is the full recipe for you to print or save for later!

**Yields:** 12 muffins
**Prep time:** 20 minutes
**Cook time:** 20 minutes

**Ingredients:**

**For the Muffins:**

* 3 cups (360g) all-purpose flour
* 2 teaspoons baking powder
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
* 1/2 cup (1 stick, 113g) unsalted butter, softened
* 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
* 1/2 cup (110g) brown sugar
* 2 large eggs
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1 cup (240ml) milk
* 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced

**For the Streusel Topping:**

* 1/2 cup (60g) all-purpose flour
* 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
* 1/4 cup (55g) brown sugar
* 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/4 cup (1/2 stick, 56g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed

**Instructions:**

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Place muffin liners in a 12-cup muffin tin or grease the tin well.
2. **Prepare the Streusel Topping:** In a medium bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Add the cold butter and cut it in using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside.
3. **Combine the Dry Ingredients:** In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
4. **Cream the Butter and Sugar:** In a separate large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
5. **Add the Eggs and Vanilla:** Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
6. **Alternate Adding Dry and Wet Ingredients:** Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
7. **Fold in the Apples:** Gently fold in the diced apples.
8. **Fill the Muffin Cups:** Fill each muffin cup about two-thirds full with batter.
9. **Sprinkle with Streusel Topping:** Generously sprinkle the streusel topping over the top of each muffin.
10. **Bake:** Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
11. **Cool:** Let the muffins cool in the muffin tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Enjoy your delicious apple strudel muffins!

Conclusion

These apple strudel muffins are a delightful twist on a classic dessert. They’re easy to make, incredibly flavorful, and perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re looking for a quick breakfast, a portable snack, or a sweet treat to share with friends and family, these muffins are sure to be a hit. So, grab your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to enjoy the warm, comforting flavors of apple strudel in a convenient muffin form! Happy baking!