Apple Pumpkin Muffins Recipe
Apple Pumpkin Muffins are the perfect treat for autumn, combining the warm, spiced flavors of pumpkin with the sweet and tart notes of fresh apples.
These muffins are moist, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make, making them a great choice for breakfast, snack time, or even dessert. The combination of apples and pumpkin creates a delightful texture, while the spices add a comforting warmth that’s perfect for cooler weather.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Apple Pumpkin Muffins
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin tin with paper liners or lightly grease the muffin cups to prevent sticking.
Step 2: Prepare the Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger. Make sure the dry ingredients are well combined to ensure even distribution of the spices.
Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth. The pumpkin puree will add moisture and a rich flavor, while the oil and eggs provide structure and tenderness to the muffins.
Step 4: Combine the Wet and Dry Ingredients
Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir gently until just combined, being careful not to overmix. Overmixing can lead to dense muffins. The batter should be thick and slightly lumpy.
Step 5: Fold in the Apples and Pecans
Gently fold in the diced apples and chopped pecans (if using) until they are evenly distributed throughout the batter. The apples will add bursts of sweetness and moisture, while the pecans provide a satisfying crunch.
Step 6: Fill the Muffin Cups
Using a spoon or ice cream scoop, divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full. This will allow room for the muffins to rise without overflowing.
Step 7: Bake the Muffins
Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. The muffins should be golden brown and have a slightly domed top.
Step 8: Cool and Serve
Allow the muffins to cool in the tin for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve the muffins warm or at room temperature, and enjoy the delightful combination of apple and pumpkin flavors.
Tips for Making the Best Apple Pumpkin Muffins
Use Fresh Ingredients
Using fresh ingredients, especially the apples, is key to the best-tasting muffins. Choose crisp, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the perfect balance of sweetness and tartness.
Don’t Overmix the Batter
Overmixing can cause the muffins to be tough and dense. Stir the wet and dry ingredients together until just combined to ensure tender, fluffy muffins.
Add a Streusel Topping
For an extra-special touch, consider adding a streusel topping. Combine 1/4 cup of flour, 1/4 cup of brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon, and 2 tablespoons of cold butter. Mix until crumbly and sprinkle over the muffins before baking.
Serving Suggestions for Apple Pumpkin Muffins
Enjoy with a Hot Beverage
These muffins are perfect with a cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. The warm spices in the muffins complement the flavors of these beverages beautifully.
Serve as a Breakfast Treat
Pair these muffins with a side of yogurt and fresh fruit for a complete breakfast. They’re a great option for busy mornings when you need something quick and satisfying.
Pack as a Snack
Apple Pumpkin Muffins are portable and make a great snack to take on the go. Pack one in your lunchbox or enjoy it as an afternoon pick-me-up.
Variations on Apple Pumpkin Muffins
Apple Pumpkin Spice Muffins
Add a teaspoon of pumpkin spice to the batter for an extra boost of flavor. Pumpkin spice combines cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves, and it’s perfect for enhancing the autumnal flavors of these muffins.
Glazed Apple Pumpkin Muffins
For a sweet finish, drizzle the muffins with a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk. This adds a touch of sweetness and makes the muffins look even more enticing.
Apple Pumpkin Muffins with Cream Cheese Frosting
If you want to turn these muffins into a more decadent treat, top them with cream cheese frosting. The tangy sweetness of the frosting pairs wonderfully with the spiced flavors of the muffins.
Nutritional Benefits of Apple Pumpkin Muffins
Apples
Apples are a great source of dietary fiber, vitamin C, and various antioxidants. They can help support heart health and promote good digestion.
Pumpkin
Pumpkin is rich in beta-carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A. It’s also high in fiber and low in calories, making it a nutritious addition to these muffins.
Pecans
If you add pecans to your muffins, you’ll get a dose of healthy fats, protein, and minerals like magnesium and zinc. Pecans also add a nice crunch to the muffins.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Can I make these muffins gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Make sure the blend contains xanthan gum or add 1/2 teaspoon to help with the texture.
Q2: How do I store these muffins?
Store the muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag.
Q3: Can I use canned pumpkin pie filling instead of pumpkin puree?
It’s best to use pumpkin puree, as pumpkin pie filling contains added sugars and spices that can alter the flavor and texture of the muffins.
Q4: Can I add other fruits to the muffins?
Certainly! You can add dried cranberries, raisins, or even diced pears to the batter for a different twist.
Q5: Can I make mini muffins with this recipe?
Yes, simply use a mini muffin tin and reduce the baking time to about 10-12 minutes. Mini muffins are great for parties or as a bite-sized snack.
Conclusion
Apple Pumpkin Muffins are a delicious and versatile treat that’s perfect for the fall season. With their moist texture, warm spices, and bursts of apple, these muffins are sure to become a family favorite. Whether you enjoy them for breakfast, as a snack, or as a dessert, they’re easy to make and even easier to love. Customize them with your favorite add-ins and enjoy the delightful flavors of apple and pumpkin in every bite.
Apple Pumpkin Muffins Recipe
Apple Pumpkin Muffins are the perfect treat for autumn, combining the warm, spiced flavors of pumpkin with the sweet and tart notes of fresh apples. These muffins are moist, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make, making them a great choice for breakfast, snack time, or even dessert. The combination of apples and pumpkin creates a delightful texture, while the spices add a comforting warmth that’s perfect for cooler weather.
Ingredients
- Streusel Topping
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
- 1 ½ tablespoons light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- pinch salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon (or pumpkin pie spice)
- 1 ½ tablespoons diced apples (reserved from below)
- Apple Pumpkin Muffins
- 1 ½ tablespoons full fat sour cream, room temperature
- 5 tablespoons pure canned pumpkin
- 1 tablespoon apple juice (or orange juice or water)
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1 large egg yolk, room temperature
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup fresh apple, cut into small cubes (I used a Honeycrisp apple. Dice about 1 and 1/2 tablespoons smaller to reserve for the topping)
- ½ cup, plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ¾ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
Instructions
Streusel Topping
- In a small mixing bowl, add the flour, butter, both sugars, salt, and ground cinnamon. Cut the butter into the flour using a fork or your fingers, until you have small pea size pieces of streusel. Tip – With this amount of streusel, it is easier to use your fingers to mix the streusel.3 tablespoons all-purpose flour,1 ½ tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes,1 ½ tablespoons light brown sugar,2 teaspoons granulated sugar,¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon,pinch salt
- Stir in the reserved diced apples. Refrigerate the streusel topping until ready to use.1 ½ tablespoons diced apples
Apple Pumpkin Muffins
- Preheat oven to 425F degrees and adjust oven rack to the middle position. Line the muffin pan with 4 muffin liners.
- In a medium mixing bowl add the sour cream, pumpkin, juice , both sugars, egg yolk, and vanilla extract. With a fork, mix until combined and smooth. Stir in the remaining apple cubes.1 ½ tablespoons full fat sour cream, room temperature,5 tablespoons pure canned pumpkin,1 tablespoon apple juice,3 tablespoons granulated sugar,2 tablespoons light brown sugar,1 large egg yolk, room temperature,½ teaspoon vanilla extract,½ cup fresh apple, cut into small cubes
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin pie spice. Sprinkle the dry ingredients over the wet ingredients. Using a spatula, fold the dry ingredients into the batter just until no dry streaks remain. Do not overmix the batter, otherwise the muffins may turn out chewy.½ cup, plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour,¼ teaspoon baking soda,¾ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice,⅛ teaspoon salt
- Evenly scoop the batter into the prepared muffin liners. Top each muffin with equal portions of the streusel topping.
- Bake at 425F degrees for 5 minutes. The quick time at high heat makes the muffin tops puff up. Then reduce the heat to 350F degrees and bake for an additional 10 to 11 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out mostly clean.
- Cool the muffins in the pan set on a wire cooling rack for 10 minutes, then transfer the muffins to the wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy!