These Sourdough Apple Muffins are soft, moist, and packed with grated apple, cinnamon, and sourdough discard, then finished with a generous layer of buttery cinnamon streusel.
Preheat your oven to 425°F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or lightly grease each cup with butter, oil, or cooking spray to prevent sticking.
Make the streusel topping. Combine flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a small bowl. Cut in the cold butter with your fingers or a pastry cutter until the mixture forms coarse sand. Place in the refrigerator while preparing the muffin batter.
½ cup (60 grams) all-purpose flour, ¼ cup (50 grams) brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt, 3 tablespoons (42 grams) unsalted butter
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
2 cups (240 grams) all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt
In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until combined. Add eggs and whisk until smooth. Mix in applesauce, sourdough discard, and vanilla extract until fully combined.
½ cup (113 grams, 1 stick) unsalted butter, ¾ cup (150 grams) brown sugar, ¼ cup (50 grams) granulated sugar, 2 large eggs, 1 single-serve cup (111 grams, 3.9 ounces) unsweetened applesauce, ½ cup (100 grams) sourdough starter discard, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and gently mix until just combined. Do not overmix. Fold in the grated apple until evenly distributed.
¾ cup (125 grams) grated apple
Divide the batter evenly between the prepared muffin cups. Sprinkle generously with cinnamon streusel.
Bake at 425°F for 5 minutes, then reduce oven temperature to 375°F and bake for another 15–18 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
Cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Storage: Keep muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days or freeze them for up to 3 months.