Apple Cream Cheese Muffins

These apple cream cheese muffins are deliciously soft and moist!  There are three layers in these apple muffins.  The muffin batter, cream cheese and streusel topping make a perfect combination.  This recipe is a perfect fall treat.  You can have these muffins at breakfast or as a snack. 

Today’s recipe is adapted from my stawberry cream cheese muffins and apple crumble muffins. 

These apple cream cheese muffins are perfect for fall. Apple muffins get a fresh touch with the addition of cream cheese layer.

Ingredients you’ll need

You can find the exact quantities at the bottom of my post, in the recipe card.

• Apples-I prefer using Gala apples. For a tangy flavor you can use Granny Smith.
• Lemon juice-I mix just a little with apples for flavor.
• Cinnamon and nutmeg-They go well with apples, they make the perfect fall baking together.
• Salt-It brings the flavors out but this is an optional ingredient. If you omit salt, you can simply leave it out.
• Flour-I use all-purpose flour for the batter and the crumbles. 
• Baking powder-It works as a leavener, makes the muffins rise.
• Eggs-They create structure.
• Sugar-I use just enough sugar. These muffins are not overly sweet.  I use granulated sugar in the muffin batter, in the cream cheese filling and in the crumbles. 
• Butter and milk–Melted butter and milk give moisture and add flavor.
• Vanilla extract-I use pure vanilla extract in the muffin batter and in the cream cheese mixture.
• Cream cheese-I use full fat block style cream cheese.

Step by step instructions

First I prepare the crumble by mixing sugar, flour and cinnamon in a small-medium bowl and then adding the melted butter and stirring with a fork.  I set aside the bowl.

Next I prepare the cream cheese filling.  I combine softened cream cheese, vanilla extract and sugar in a medium bowl by pressing with a spoon and set aside the bowl.  

Then I peel, core and chop the apples into around 0.25 to 0.5 inch (0,6cm to 1.25 cm) pieces, mix in the lemon juice and set aside the bowl.

I mix the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder and salt in a large bowl.

Next, I place the sugar and eggs into a medium bowl and stir with a whisk until just combined.

I mix in the milk, melted butter and vanilla extract.

Then I pour the wet ingredient mixture into flour mixture and stir with a whisk. You can use a spatula at at the end. I fold the apples with a spatula.

Keeping 6 tablespoons of the batter aside, I divide the muffin batter into 12 cup muffin pan.  I use almost 2 and ½ tablespoons of batter per cup. Using the back of a spoon, I try to create a hole in the middle.

Next, I place 2 teaspoons of cream cheese mixture into the center and slightly press to the filling to let it sit in the hole as much as I can.

I place the muffin batter that I set aside on top of the cream cheese-it makes almost 1 and ½ teaspoons of muffin batter for each- and spread it with the back of a spoon.

Finally, I sprinkle the crumbles on top. I bake for  22-25 minutes or until the muffins with batter parts look golden brown and the crumbles are lightly brown.

After 10 minutes, using a small spatula, I gently remove the muffins from the pan.  Due to the cream cheese filling, these muffins are fragile.

I let them cool on a wire rack. 

I hope you enjoy these cream cheese apples so much!

OTHER APPLE RECIPES WITH CRUMBLES YOU MAY ENJOY!

• Apple Cheesecake Bars
• Caramel Apple Bars
• Easy Apple Crumble Recipe
• Apple Pie Bars Recipe
• Apple and Blueberry Crumble

I love hearing from you!  If you try this recipe or my other recipes please leave a comment and give a star rating!