These Apple Pumpkin Streusel Muffins are a cozy treat, perfect for fall! With tender pumpkin, sweet apples, and a crumbly streusel topping, they’re both yummy and fun to eat.
Every bite feels like a warm hug! I love serving them with a cup of coffee for breakfast or a snack. Just a little butter on top makes them even better—who can resist? 😋
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
All-Purpose Flour: This is a main base for the muffins. If you’re looking for a gluten-free option, try using a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. I’ve found some blends work surprisingly well!
Pumpkin Puree: Canned pumpkin puree is super convenient, but you can also use homemade puree. Just steam and blend fresh pumpkin until smooth. I love the convenience of canned, though!
Apples: Firm varieties like Honeycrisp and Granny Smith are best for texture and flavor. If you can’t find these, any tart apple will do. Fun fact: I sometimes mix in pears for a twist!
Spices: The mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves makes these muffins cozy and inviting. Feel free to adjust the spices based on your preference or what you have on hand. A dash of allspice can be a great addition!
Coconut Oil: While vegetable oil works fine, I prefer melted coconut oil for added flavor and richness. If you’re not a fan, go for any neutral oil.
How Do I Make a Perfect Streusel Topping?
The streusel topping adds a delightful crunch to the muffins! Here’s how to get that perfect texture:
- Combine flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a bowl.
- Add the cold cubed butter. It’s essential that the butter is cold, as it helps create that crumbly topping.
- Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to blend until it looks like coarse crumbs. Don’t worry about making it too uniform—some bigger chunks add appeal!
Just sprinkle the streusel generously over the muffin batter before baking. This will give you a crunchy top that contrasts beautifully with the soft muffin underneath!
Apple Pumpkin Streusel Muffins
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Muffins:
- 1 3/4 cups (220g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves (optional)
- 1 cup (240ml) canned pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (100g) brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup (120ml) vegetable oil or melted coconut oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup peeled and diced apple (about 1 medium apple, firm variety like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith)
For the Streusel Topping:
- 3/4 cup (90g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup (100g) brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons (85g) cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe requires about 15 minutes of prep time, followed by 20-25 minutes of baking time. Once the muffins are out of the oven, let them cool for about 10 minutes before enjoying them. Total time to deliciousness: approximately 45 minutes!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat Your Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that your muffins bake evenly. While you wait, line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease it well to prevent sticking.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. Whisk them together until they are well mixed. This will help distribute the leavening agents and spices evenly in the batter.
3. Combine the Wet Ingredients:
In a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, granulated sugar, brown sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and creamy. This is where all that delicious flavor starts!
4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Gently add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Use a spatula to fold everything together until just combined; be careful not to overmix! A few lumps are perfectly fine.
5. Add the Apples:
Now, fold in the diced apples until they are evenly distributed throughout the batter. This adds a lovely texture and fresh flavor to your muffins!
6. Make the Streusel Topping:
In a small bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt for the streusel topping. Add the cold butter cubes and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to blend until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs. This will give it that crumbly, crunchy texture!
7. Fill the Muffin Cups:
Spoon the muffin batter into the prepared muffin cups, filling them about 3/4 full. Don’t forget to generously sprinkle the streusel topping over each muffin—this is key to that delicious crunch!
8. Bake:
Place the muffin tin in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. The muffins are done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the tops are golden brown and slightly crispy.
9. Cool and Enjoy:
Let the muffins cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps maintain their texture and prevents sogginess.
Now, sit back, sip on your favorite drink, and savor these delightful Apple Pumpkin Streusel Muffins—perfect for any autumn day!
Can I Use Fresh Pumpkin Instead of Canned?
Absolutely! You can use fresh pumpkin puree. Just steam or roast a pumpkin until tender, then blend it until smooth. Make sure to measure out 1 cup of the puree for the recipe.
What Can I Substitute for Apples?
If you don’t have apples on hand, you can substitute them with other fruits like diced pears or even cranberries. Just make sure they’re firm enough to hold up during baking.
How Should I Store Leftover Muffins?
Store any leftover muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them for up to 3 months. Just make sure to wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag!
Can I Make These Muffins Vegan?
Yes, you can make these muffins vegan by substituting the eggs with flax eggs (1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed mixed with 2.5 tablespoons of water per egg) and using a non-dairy milk in place of the oil. They’ll still turn out delicious!
