Cinnamon Apple Streusel Muffins (Vegan GF-option)

Sticky, sweet and fruity apple studded muffins with a crunchy cinnamon streusel topping and an icing sugar glaze, these muffins are easy and quick to make and bake. They are naturally vegan with a gluten-free option and make the most of British apples.

I love a good apple at any time of the year, but right now, as the temperatures dip here in the UK, there is nothing more comforting than an apple-themed dessert. As much as I love a pie or crumble, there is so much more to do with a humble Bramley apple, like muffins!

After my really tasty Apple Walnut Cinnamon Pop Tarts, I wanted to get creative again and there’s so many things I could have made like cakes, cookies, breakfast bowls, pancakes, waffles, fritters… but I settled on these Cinnamon Apple Streusel Muffins. And I am so glad I did! They are a huge hit with family and friends and taste healthy enough for breakfast.

I first made these to celebrate Great British Apples and even recorded a little recipe video of the whole thing… see below for more about that.

So, what goes into these Cinnamon Apple Streusel Muffins?

Firstly, there are two types of apple:

1. Bramley apple pieces: chopped up small and folded into the muffin batter so you have juicy pieces of apple in every bite
2. Applesauce or puree: it’s really easy to make your own and often much cheaper. Simple peel, core and chop up some Bramley apples and add to a saucepan with a splash of water. Cook with a lid on for 10-15 minutes until fluffy, soft and broken down. Then mash or blend to a puree or sauce. It’s always good to make up extras to keep in the fridge or freezer for another day.

Apart from the apple, the batter for these Cinnamon Apple Streusel Muffins is pretty standard: sometimes simple is best!

• Vegan butter or margarine: the buttery flavour adds a really comforting element to these muffins. You could use softened coconut oil, too.
• Caster or coconut sugar: cream together the sugar and the butter for a basic start to a vegan bake.
• Plant-based milk: any milk will do! I love using almond or oat, but also enjoy soya, tigernut, or cashew.
• Vanilla and cinnamon: for the gorgeous sweet flavour.
• Flour: plain flour is best here but you can use GF plain flour too as long a s your blend contains xanthan gum. Each blend will be different so use your favourite. You could also use spelt or wholemeal flour for a heartier flavour and texture although they may not be quite as light.
• Baking powder and salt: for rise and flavour.

That’s all that goes into the muffin batter: it’s a thick mix, so don’t be put off and tempted to add extra liquid. All the magic happens in the oven and the resulting muffins are so light and fluffy!

The final element to these Cinnamon Apple Streusel Muffins is the streusel topping: simply stir together more vegan butter (melted this time) with some extra flour, brown/demerara or coconut sugar (brown works better than caster sugar for the crunch) and cinnamon. Sprinkle all over the muffins and then bake until golden and smelling amazing!

The final part of these muffins is to allow them to cool slightly before pouring over a sticky sugary glaze. You can skip this part, but it keeps the muffins moister for longer and adds a really fun element to them.

These Cinnamon Apple Streusel Muffins are so light and fluffy, full of warming cinnamon apple flavours and make a great snack with a cup of tea or even for breakfast with a smoothie. They are great all year round but are especially comforting this Autumn/Fall heading into winter. 

They are naturally vegan and easily gluten-free while they can be refined sugar free depending on the sugar you choose to use. I hope you will love baking them for yourself, your friends and family and if you are looking for more seasonal baking ideas, how about my:

• Raspberry Jam Babka
• Vegan S’Mores Cookies
• Chocolate Pumpkin Swirl Brownies
• Sticky Cinnamon Apple Galette
• Toffee Pecan Banana Bread

Cinnamon Apple Streusel Muffins (Vegan GF-option)

• Servings: 12
• Time: 30 minutes plus cooling
• Difficulty: easy
• Print

Sticky, sweet and fruity apple studded muffins with a crunchy cinnamon streusel topping and an icing sugar glaze, these muffins are easy and quick to make and bake. They are naturally vegan with a gluten-free option and make the most of British apples.

Ingredients

Muffins:
• 60g apple sauce*
• 1 large Bramley apple
• 80g vegan butter/margarine
• 100g caster or coconut sugar
• 120ml plant-based milk
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 320g + 1 tbsp plain flour or GF plain
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 ½ tsp baking powder
• A pinch of salt
Streusel topping:
• 30g vegan butter/margarine, melted
• 55g flour
• 35g brown or demerara sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
Icing glaze (optional):
• 100g icing sugar
• 1 tbsp water

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 170Fan/190*C and line 12 muffin holes with cases.
2. Core and chop the Bramley apple into small pieces and toss with 1 tbsp of flour.
3. In a large mixing bowl add the vegan butter/margarine and sugar and cream together. Now stir in the applesauce, plant-based milk and vanilla.
4. Pour in the flour, cinnamon, baking powder and salt and stir to a thick batter. Fold in the chopped apple.
5. Make the streusel topping by stirring together all the ingredients.
6. Divide the muffin batter between the muffin cases, filling about ¾ full. Sprinkle over the streusel topping.
7. Bake for 17-20 minutes until golden and firm. Allow to cool on a wire rack.
8. Stir together all the ingredients for the glaze and drizzle over the muffins.
*to make your own apple sauce, peel, core and chop 2 Bramley apples into small pieces. Add to a small saucepan with a splash of water and cook with a lid on for about 10-15 minutes until really soft. Allow to cool then blend or mash until smooth.

I look forward to hearing what you think of these Cinnamon Apple Streusel Muffins and I hope you’ll enjoy them! If you make them, please tag me, too, I love seeing your creations. I’m @nourishing.amy on Instagram and use the hashtag #nourishingamy. I’m also on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest  – please say hello!