Dessert

Apple Butter Muffins Recipe

ByClara Bennett January 18, 2026January 18, 2026

Introduction

Apple Butter Muffins are a delightful treat, combining tender, spiced muffin batter with sweet apple butter and a crunchy walnut streusel topping. These muffins are perfect for breakfast or an afternoon snack, offering warm flavors and a moist texture.

The image shows a close-up of six round muffins with a crumbly light brown texture and raisins inside. Each muffin has white icing drizzled unevenly on top, adding a shiny contrast to the golden-brown crumb topping. The muffins rest on a dark wire cooling rack with a white marbled surface underneath, giving the whole scene a clean and fresh look. The muffins are slightly cracked on top, showing a crunchy texture mixed with soft parts beneath the icing. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour (260 grams)
1/2 cup granulated sugar (100 grams)
1 teaspoon baking powder (4 grams)
1 teaspoon baking soda (5 grams)
1 teaspoon cinnamon (2 grams)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 large egg
3/4 cup milk (6 ounces)
1/2 cup vegetable oil (4 ounces)
1/3 cup apple butter
1/2 cup all-purpose flour (65 grams) – for streusel
1 teaspoon cinnamon (2 grams) – for streusel
1/2 cup brown sugar (105 grams)
1/2 cup walnuts, finely chopped
4 tablespoons salted butter, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar (for glaze)
2-4 tablespoons apple cider (or heavy cream) (for glaze)

Instructions

Step 1: In a small bowl, combine 2 cups flour, granulated 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 and stir just until combined; avoid overmixing.
Step 2: For the streusel, mix 1/2 cup flour, cinnamon, brown sugar, and chopped walnuts in a bowl. Cut in the softened butter until the mixture becomes crumbly and the butter is fully incorporated.
Step 3: Preheat your oven to 425ºF and spray jumbo muffin tins with cooking spray. Fill each cup with a heaping tablespoon of muffin batter, then add a tablespoon of apple butter on top. Sprinkle a portion of the streusel over the apple butter, then cover with the remaining muffin batter equally divided. Top muffins with the remaining streusel.
Step 4: Bake the muffins at 425ºF for 5 minutes. Lower the oven temperature to 375ºF and bake for an additional 13–15 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Step 5: While muffins cool, whisk powdered sugar and apple cider (or heavy cream) until smooth to make the glaze. Drizzle over the muffins before serving.

Tips & Variations

For a dairy-free option, use almond milk and coconut oil instead of milk and vegetable oil.
Add a pinch of nutmeg or cloves to the batter for extra warm spices.
Swap walnuts for pecans or omit the nuts if preferred.
Use heavy cream or plain yogurt in place of apple cider for a creamier glaze.

Storage

Store these muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. To keep them longer, refrigerate for up to a week or freeze for up to 3 months. Warm muffins gently in the microwave before serving to restore their softness.

How to Serve

The image shows six crumbly muffins with a crunchy, uneven top texture, covered with thin white icing drizzled in lines over each muffin. The muffins are golden brown with some darker specks and crumbs, sitting closely on a wire cooling rack. The background is a white marbled texture that contrasts with the warm tones of the muffins. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these muffins gluten-free?

Yes, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that measures cup-for-cup. Be sure it contains xanthan gum for best results.

Is it possible to prepare the batter or streusel in advance?

You can prepare both the batter and streusel a day ahead and store them separately in the refrigerator. Bring the batter back to room temperature before baking for even cooking.