Apple crumble muffins, just like other muffins, are considered a type of small bread or cake and are sometimes compared to cupcakes. They are made in much the same way. The ingredients are mixed together to create a batter which can then be poured into small, individual containers or into a pan with small compartments that allows several small cakes can be baked at once. Such pans are generally referred to as muffin tins.
Generally muffins are not quite as sweet as cakes, even though some types of muffins contain fruit and other sweet ingredients. Cakes are also frequently served with icing or frosting while most muffins are not. Some muffins may be drizzled with glaze or given another type of topping. Apple crumble muffins are made with apple pieces or apple flavoring mixed in, and they are finished off with a crumb topping.
A crumb topping can be made in a number of ways, but one easy method is to combine flour, sugar, and butter. The ingredients are combined and stirred with a fork. The trick is to avoid mixing too hard so the mixture does not become batter but instead turns into flavorful crumbs. This crumb mixture can then be spread on top of the muffins before baking. Cinnamon can be added to this topping, and it is great addition when making apple crumble muffins.
Apple crumble muffins can be made from real or artificial ingredients. Many ready-to-eat muffins or packaged mixes contain some type of artificial flavoring although not all of them do. Baked from scratch with real apples and complete with a handmade crumb topping, apple crumble muffins can be a tasty, even somewhat healthy treat. Of course, it depends on the types and amounts of ingredients being used.
One might use a packaged muffin mix that contains real apples and then add a crumble topping. There are also several recipes online and in cookbooks if one prefers to bake from scratch. Some baking recipes replace oil with applesauce to create a healthier version. Doing so can add moisture without adding extra fat, and apple crumble muffins are a perfect recipe for such a replacement. Cinnamon applesauce could give the recipe additional flavor.
Apple crumble muffins can be eaten alone, as a meal, as a side dish, or for dessert. They can be served as breakfast muffins, packed in a lunch, or eaten as a snack. They can also make a nice accompaniment as dinner muffins, especially with an entrée such as roast pork.
