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Apple Butter Swirl Muffins 1

Apple Butter Swirl Muffins

These Apple Butter Swirl Muffins combine the warm, spiced depth of apple butter with a tender, moist muffin base and crumbly streusel topping. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon treat with coffee, they deliver warmth and comfort in every bite.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 22 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Breakfast, Brunch, Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 12 muffins
Calories 275 kcal

Equipment

  • 12-cup Muffin Tin
  • Paper liners or cooking spray
  • Mixing Bowls
  • Whisk
  • Rubber Spatula
  • Toothpick

Ingredients
  

Muffin Base

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour substitute whole wheat pastry flour for added fiber
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar coconut sugar works well for a caramel undertone
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • 1 cup milk any variety, including plant-based
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil or melted coconut oil
  • 1 large egg room temperature
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Apple Butter Swirl

  • 3/4 cup apple butter store-bought or homemade
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Streusel Topping

  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 3 tbsp cold butter cubed
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 pinch salt

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease well with cooking spray.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well combined. Create a well in the center for your wet ingredients.
  • In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the milk, oil, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth and fully integrated.
  • Pour the wet ingredients into the well of dry ingredients and gently fold together using a rubber spatula. Stop mixing when just combined—you should still see a few small streaks of flour.
  • In a small bowl, mix the apple butter with brown sugar and cinnamon until well combined.
  • In another small bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, cold butter, cinnamon, and salt for the streusel. Use your fingertips or a pastry cutter to work the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized butter pieces.
  • Fill each muffin cup about one-third full with batter. Add a teaspoon of the apple butter mixture to each cup, then top with remaining batter. Use a toothpick to gently swirl the apple butter into the batter with a figure-eight motion.
  • Sprinkle the streusel evenly over each muffin.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 20-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean with a few moist crumbs.
  • Allow muffins to rest in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

These muffins maintain peak freshness for up to 3 days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 3 months.
For a healthier version, try replacing half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour, substituting applesauce for oil, using Greek yogurt instead of milk, or reducing the sugar and using stevia extract.
For gluten-free bakers, a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend works perfectly in this recipe, though you may need to increase moisture by adding an extra tablespoon of milk or yogurt.

Nutrition

Calories: 275kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 4gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 220mgFiber: 1.5gSugar: 23g
Keyword Apple Butter, Muffins, Breakfast, Fall Baking, Streusel
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