Description
These Applesauce Spice Crumb Muffins are a delightful treat combining warm spices with moist applesauce and a crunchy crumb topping. Perfect for breakfast or a cozy snack, these muffins offer a comforting blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice wrapped in a tender, fluffy crumb enriched with applesauce.
Ingredients
Scale
Muffin Batter
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Crumb Topping
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a muffin tin by lining it with paper liners or greasing it with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice. Set this mixture aside for later use.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, use a mixer to cream the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps incorporate air for a tender muffin texture.
- Add Eggs: Add the eggs one at a time to the creamed butter and sugar, beating well after each addition to ensure each egg is thoroughly incorporated.
- Incorporate Wet Ingredients: Mix in the unsweetened applesauce and vanilla extract until the batter is smooth and combined, which adds moisture and flavor to your muffins.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour and spice mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently just until combined to avoid overmixing which can toughen the muffins.
- Prepare Crumb Topping: In a small bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Stir in the melted butter until the mixture becomes crumbly. This topping will add a sweet and crunchy finish.
- Fill Muffin Cups: Divide the muffin batter evenly into the prepared tin, filling each cup about two-thirds full to allow space for rising.
- Add Crumb Topping: Sprinkle the crumb topping generously over each muffin to create a deliciously crunchy crust.
- Bake: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean, indicating they are fully cooked.
- Cool: Let the muffins cool in the tin for 5 minutes to firm up, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before serving to maintain texture and flavor.
Notes
- Ensure not to overmix batter after adding flour to keep muffins tender.
- Using unsweetened applesauce adds moisture without extra sugar; sweetened can be substituted but reduce added sugars.
- The crumb topping can be customized with chopped nuts or oats for added texture.
- Store muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze for longer storage.
- Check oven temperature accuracy to prevent under- or over-baking.
