These Apple Crisp Cheesecake Muffins are a warm treat filled with creamy cheesecake and yummy apple bits, topped with a crunchy oat crumble. Perfect for breakfast or a snack!
I love how easy they are to make! Plus, the apple and cinnamon make my kitchen smell amazing. Every bite feels like a cozy hug. Who can resist?! 🍏🧁
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Cream Cheese: For the cheesecake filling, use full-fat cream cheese for the best texture and flavor. You can use neufchâtel for a lighter version. If you’re dairy-free, look for vegan cream cheese alternatives.
Apples: I love using Granny Smith for their tartness, but you can swap them for Honeycrisp or Fuji apples for a sweeter taste. If fresh apples aren’t available, canned apple pie filling in a pinch works, too!
Buttermilk: If you don’t have buttermilk, mix a tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice into a cup of milk and let it sit for 5 minutes. This gives a wonderful tang to your muffins.
Oats: Use old-fashioned oats for a chunky crisp topping! Quick oats are fine if that’s what you have, but they won’t give the same texture.
How Do You Make the Perfect Muffin Batter?
Creating a tender muffin batter is simple. The key is not to overmix, or you’ll end up with tough muffins. Here’s how to do it:
- In a large bowl, whisk together all the dry ingredients until well combined.
- In another bowl, mix together all the wet ingredients until smooth.
- Pour wet into dry ingredients and gently stir until just combined. It’s okay if there are a few lumps!
- Finally, fold in your chopped apples gently to avoid breaking them up too much.
This method keeps your muffins soft and fluffy!
Apple Crisp Cheesecake Muffins
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Cheesecake Filling:
- 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup (50 g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
For the Muffin Batter:
- 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup (55 g) brown sugar, packed
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups peeled and finely chopped apple (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
For the Crisp Topping:
- 3/4 cup (100 g) old fashioned oats
- 3/4 cup (90 g) all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup (65 g) brown sugar, packed
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/3 cup (75 g) unsalted butter, melted
For the Glaze (optional):
- 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp milk
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful recipe takes about 15-20 minutes of preparation time, followed by 25-30 minutes of baking. After baking, let your muffins cool for a bit before enjoying them! Overall, plan for around 1 hour from start to finish, including cooling time.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare the Cheesecake Filling:
In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, egg, and vanilla extract together until smooth and creamy. This will be your delicious cheesecake filling. Set this mixture aside for later.
2. Preheat the Oven and Prepare Pan:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). While it’s heating, line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or give it a good grease to prevent sticking.
3. Make the Crisp Topping:
In a small bowl, combine the old-fashioned oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Stir in the melted butter until the mixture is nice and crumbly. This will create a crunchy top for your muffins, which adds great texture!
4. Prepare the Muffin Batter:
In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg until it’s all blended. In another bowl, mix the melted butter, egg, buttermilk, and vanilla extract until combined. Then, pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir just until combined—remember, it’s okay if the batter is a bit lumpy!
5. Fold in the Apples:
Gently fold in the chopped apples, making sure they’re well distributed throughout the batter without overmixing.
6. Assemble Muffins:
Spoon about a tablespoon of the muffin batter into each muffin cup to coat the bottom. Then, add about 1 tablespoon of the cheesecake filling on top of the batter in each cup. Finally, cover the cheesecake layer with more muffin batter until the cups are about 2/3 full.
7. Add the Crisp Topping:
Generously sprinkle the crisp topping over each muffin. This is what will give them that delightful crunch on top!
8. Bake:
Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean (just avoid piercing the cheesecake!).
9. Cool and Prepare Optional Glaze:
Once baked, remove the muffins from the oven and let them cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. If you’d like to add a sweet finish, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla in a small bowl until smooth. Drizzle over your cooled muffins.
10. Enjoy!
Your Apple Crisp Cheesecake Muffins are ready! Enjoy them warm or at room temperature. They’re perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as a delightful snack!
Can I Use Different Types of Apples?
Absolutely! While Granny Smith and Honeycrisp are popular choices for their balance of tartness and sweetness, you can use any apples you have on hand. Just keep in mind that sweeter apples will yield a sweeter muffin!
Can I Make These Muffins Ahead of Time?
Yes, you can make the muffins ahead of time. They store well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, consider freezing them. Just wrap each muffin in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag; they’ll keep well for up to 2 months. Thaw them overnight in the fridge before enjoying!
How Can I Make These Muffins Gluten-Free?
To make these muffins gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. You may also want to add a teaspoon of xanthan gum if your blend doesn’t already contain it to help with the texture.
Can I Skip the Cheesecake Filling?
If you prefer not to include the cheesecake filling, you can simply make apple muffins by omitting that step. The muffins will still be delicious but will lack the creamy element!
