Apple Butter Muffins

Apple Butter Muffins are soft, warmly spiced muffins filled with rich apple butter and topped with a crunchy cinnamon streusel. These bakery-style muffins are moist, flavorful, and finished with a light apple cider glaze that makes every bite taste like autumn comfort.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These Apple Butter Muffins are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a cozy afternoon treat. The apple butter adds deep apple flavor and moisture, while the cinnamon streusel creates a delicious crumbly topping. The quick glaze adds just the right amount of sweetness.

They are simple to make with pantry ingredients and bake into tall, fluffy muffins that feel like something from your favorite bakery.

Ingredients

Muffins

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg
• ¾ cup milk
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• ⅓ cup apple butter

Streusel

• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup walnuts, finely chopped
• 4 tablespoons salted butter, softened

Glaze

• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 2–4 tablespoons apple cider or heavy cream

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and lightly grease a jumbo muffin tin with cooking spray.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
3. In another bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, and vegetable oil.
4. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir just until combined. Do not overmix. The batter should be slightly lumpy.
5. Prepare the streusel by mixing flour, cinnamon, brown sugar, and chopped walnuts in a bowl. Cut in the softened butter using a fork or pastry cutter until the mixture becomes crumbly.
6. Spoon about a heaping tablespoon of muffin batter into the bottom of each muffin cup.
7. Add a tablespoon of apple butter on top of the batter.
8. Sprinkle a portion of streusel over the apple butter layer.
9. Divide the remaining batter evenly between the muffin cups and sprinkle the remaining streusel on top.
10. Bake for 5 minutes at 425°F, then reduce the oven temperature to 375°F (190°C) and bake for 13–15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
11. Allow muffins to cool slightly.
12. Whisk together powdered sugar and apple cider until smooth, then drizzle over the warm Apple Butter Muffins.

Tips & Tricks

• Do not overmix the batter to keep the muffins soft and tender.
• Use room temperature ingredients for smoother batter.
• For extra apple flavor, add small diced apples to the batter.
• If you prefer nut-free muffins, simply omit the walnuts from the streusel.
• Baking at a high temperature first helps create tall bakery-style muffin tops.

Details

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 18–20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 6 jumbo muffins or 10–12 regular muffins
Category: Breakfast, Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Difficulty: Easy
Dietary Notes: Vegetarian

Notes

These muffins are delicious served warm with coffee, tea, or apple cider. They also make a great fall brunch addition or lunchbox treat.

You can substitute applesauce for apple butter if needed, though the flavor will be milder.

Nutrition (Approximate per muffin)

Calories: 340
Protein: 5g
Carbohydrates: 42g
Fat: 17g

FAQ

What is apple butter?
Apple butter is a thick, concentrated apple spread made by slowly cooking apples with spices until deeply caramelized and smooth.

Can I make Apple Butter Muffins ahead of time?
Yes. They stay fresh for up to two days at room temperature and can be reheated briefly for a fresh-baked taste.

Can I freeze these muffins?
Yes. Freeze the muffins without glaze for up to 3 months. Thaw and glaze before serving.

Can I make these muffins without streusel?
Yes. The muffins will still be delicious without the topping, though the streusel adds texture and flavor.

Can I use whole wheat flour?
You can substitute half the flour with whole wheat flour for a slightly heartier texture.

Storage

Store Apple Butter Muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

For longer storage, refrigerate them for up to 5 days or freeze them for up to 3 months. Reheat briefly in the microwave or oven before serving.

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Apple Butter Muffins

Apple Butter Muffins are soft cinnamon muffins layered with rich apple butter.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Course Breakfast, Dessert

Cuisine American

Ingredients

  

Muffins

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg
• ¾ cup milk
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• ⅓ cup apple butter

Streusel

• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup walnuts finely chopped
• 4 tablespoons salted butter softened

Glaze

• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 2 –4 tablespoons apple cider or heavy cream

Instructions

 

• Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and lightly grease a jumbo muffin tin with cooking spray.
• In a medium bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
• In another bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, and vegetable oil.
• Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir just until combined. Do not overmix. The batter should be slightly lumpy.
• Prepare the streusel by mixing flour, cinnamon, brown sugar, and chopped walnuts in a bowl. Cut in the softened butter using a fork or pastry cutter until the mixture becomes crumbly.
• Spoon about a heaping tablespoon of muffin batter into the bottom of each muffin cup.
• Add a tablespoon of apple butter on top of the batter.
• Sprinkle a portion of streusel over the apple butter layer.
• Divide the remaining batter evenly between the muffin cups and sprinkle the remaining streusel on top.
• Bake for 5 minutes at 425°F, then reduce the oven temperature to 375°F (190°C) and bake for 13–15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
• Allow muffins to cool slightly.
• Whisk together powdered sugar and apple cider until smooth, then drizzle over the warm Apple Butter Muffins.

Notes

These muffins are delicious served warm with coffee, tea, or apple cider. They also make a great fall brunch addition or lunchbox treat.

 

Conclusion

Apple Butter Muffins are soft, warmly spiced, and topped with a crunchy cinnamon streusel and sweet glaze. With simple ingredients and easy steps, these muffins are perfect for cozy mornings, fall gatherings, or anytime you crave a comforting homemade treat.