These incredibly moist and flavorful apple sour cream muffins are the perfect blend of sweet and tangy. The sour cream adds incredible richness and texture, while the apples provide a delightful burst of freshness. This recipe is surprisingly easy, making it ideal for both beginner bakers and experienced cooks looking for a quick and satisfying treat.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Incredibly Moist: The sour cream is the secret ingredient, keeping these muffins unbelievably moist and tender.
- Easy to Make: This recipe requires minimal effort and readily available ingredients. Perfect for a busy weeknight!
- Delicious Flavor Combination: The sweet apples perfectly complement the tangy sour cream, creating a balanced and satisfying flavor profile.
- Versatile: Enjoy these muffins for breakfast, brunch, an afternoon snack, or even dessert!
Ingredients You'll Need:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups peeled and diced apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp recommended)
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- Optional streusel topping: (recipe below)
Instructions: Step-by-Step Guide
- Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease the tin well.
- Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the sour cream and vanilla extract.
- Combine: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Add Apples & Nuts (Optional): Gently fold in the diced apples and chopped nuts (if using).
- Fill Muffin Cups: Fill each muffin cup about 2/3 full.
- Bake: Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Let the muffins cool in the tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Optional Streusel Topping:
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and crumble the mixture over the muffin batter before baking.
Tips for the Best Apple Sour Cream Muffins:
- Don't Overmix: Overmixing the batter will result in tough muffins. Mix until just combined.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Using room temperature butter and eggs will help create a lighter and fluffier batter.
- Apple Variety: Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples are ideal for their tartness and ability to hold their shape during baking.
- Storage: Store leftover muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Serving Suggestions:
These muffins are delicious on their own, but you can also enjoy them with a dollop of whipped cream, a drizzle of honey, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
This recipe provides a delightful and easy-to-follow method for creating delicious apple sour cream muffins. Enjoy!
