Fall Flavors – Apple Pumpkin Muffins
Fall Flavors – Apple Pumpkin Muffins are a cozy small-batch treat packed with pumpkin, sweet apple, warm spices, and a crunchy cinnamon streusel. This easy recipe yields four tender, bakery-style muffins perfect for a crisp autumn morning or a comforting afternoon snack.
Ingredients
Streusel Topping
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1.5 tablespoons cold unsalted butter cut into small cubes
- 1.5 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 0.25 teaspoon ground cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice
- 1 pinch fine salt
- 1.5 tablespoons finely diced apple optional, for extra pops of fruit
Muffin Batter
- 1.5 tablespoons full-fat sour cream or thick plant-based yogurt
- 5 tablespoons pure canned pumpkin purée
- 1 tablespoon apple juice or orange juice or water
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1 large egg yolk
- 0.5 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 0.5 cup peeled apple, cubed small use a crisp, sweet-tart variety
- 0.6875 cup all-purpose flour
- 0.25 teaspoon baking soda
- 0.125 teaspoon fine salt
- 0.75 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
Instructions
- Step 1 – Make the Streusel: Mix flour, sugars, cinnamon, and salt. Cut in butter until crumbly. Fold in diced apple if using. Chill while prepping batter.
- Step 2 – Prep Pan & Oven: Line 4 muffin cups and mist the pan. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Step 3 – Mix Wet Ingredients: Whisk sour cream, pumpkin purée, juice, sugars, yolk, and vanilla until smooth.
- Step 4 – Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, salt, and spice. Fold into wet mixture gently.
- Step 5 – Fold in Apple: Add cubed apple and fold just until combined.
- Step 6 – Fill & Top: Divide batter among cups. Top with chilled streusel, pressing lightly.
- Step 7 – Bake: Bake 5 minutes at 425°F, then reduce to 350°F (175°C) and bake 11–13 more minutes until set and golden.
- Step 8 – Cool: Let cool in pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack. Enjoy warm.
Notes
Use cold butter for crumbly streusel. Dice apples small to ensure even baking. Muffins freeze well—just warm in the oven to re-crisp topping. Try variations like chocolate chips, pecans, or apple cider glaze.