Sour Cherry Applesauce Muffins with Cinnamon Streusel
Moist muffins bursting with tart sour cherry applesauce and topped with a crunchy cinnamon streusel, perfect for a breakfast treat or snack. This american-inspired breakfast ready in about 37 minutes combines all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda into a breakfast that fuels the morning without the midday crash — make-ahead-friendly and balanced enough to anchor the first meal of the day. Each serving lands at about 210 calories and feeds 12, so it sits comfortably in a weekly breakfast rotation alongside fruit, yogurt, or coffee. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup sour cherry applesauce
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 3 tbsp cold unsalted butter
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon (streusel)
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour (streusel)
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375°F and line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners. In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, and 1/2 tsp salt until evenly combined.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter with 3/4 cup granulated sugar until smooth. Add 2 large eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Stir in 1 cup sour cherry applesauce and 1 tsp vanilla extract.
- Step 3: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients alternating with 1/4 cup milk, beginning and ending with the dry, mixing gently until just combined without overmixing.
- Step 4: For the streusel, combine 1/3 cup brown sugar, 1/3 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, and 3 tbsp cold unsalted butter cut into small cubes. Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to blend until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Step 5: Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups, filling them about 3/4 full. Sprinkle the cinnamon streusel evenly over the tops.
- Step 6: Bake for 18-22 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the tops are golden. Cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sour Cherry Applesauce Muffins with Cinnamon Streusel take to make?
Total time is about 37 minutes (15 min prep + 22 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a busy morning; prep components the night before to save active time.
How do I store leftover Sour Cherry Applesauce Muffins with Cinnamon Streusel?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven; egg- or grain-based items may need a splash of milk or water to refresh texture. Cold-served items (overnight oats, smoothies) keep 2–3 days in the fridge.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sour Cherry Applesauce Muffins with Cinnamon Streusel?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Sour Cherry Applesauce Muffins with Cinnamon Streusel for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 12 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 12). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Sour Cherry Applesauce Muffins with Cinnamon Streusel?
American breakfast like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
