Save Tender, festive muffins swirled with cinnamon and topped with a crunchy streusel lighter in calories but full of holiday flavor.
I have always loved baking these muffins during the holidays and sharing them with my family makes the season even more special.
What's for Dinner Tonight? 🤔
Stop stressing. Get 10 fast recipes that actually work on busy nights.
Free. No spam. Just easy meals.
Ingredients
- Muffin Batter: 1 3/4 cups (220 g) all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar, 1/4 cup (50 g) light brown sugar packed, 2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp fine sea salt, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg, 1/2 cup (120 ml) unsweetened applesauce, 1/2 cup (120 ml) low-fat Greek yogurt, 1/4 cup (60 ml) light olive oil or melted coconut oil, 2 large eggs, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1/4 cup (60 ml) low-fat milk
- Cinnamon Swirl: 2 tbsp (30 g) light brown sugar, 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- Streusel Topping: 1/4 cup (30 g) all-purpose flour, 2 tbsp (25 g) light brown sugar, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 2 tbsp (28 g) cold unsalted butter diced
Tired of Takeout? 🥡
Get 10 meals you can make faster than delivery arrives. Seriously.
One email. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Instructions
- Preheat Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or lightly coat with nonstick spray.
- Mix Dry Ingredients:
- In a large bowl whisk together flour granulated sugar brown sugar baking powder baking soda salt cinnamon and nutmeg.
- Mix Wet Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl whisk applesauce Greek yogurt oil eggs vanilla and milk until smooth.
- Combine Ingredients:
- Add wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Prepare Swirl:
- In a small bowl mix together the brown sugar and cinnamon for the swirl.
- Fill Muffin Cups:
- Fill each muffin cup halfway with batter. Sprinkle each with about 1/2 tsp of the cinnamon swirl then top with the remaining batter. Use a toothpick to gently swirl.
- Make Streusel:
- For the streusel combine flour brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Cut in the cold butter with a fork or fingers until crumbly. Sprinkle evenly over the muffins.
- Bake:
- Bake for 20 22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool:
- Let muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Pin it My family gathers every holiday morning to enjoy these muffins fresh and warm it creates such a cozy tradition.
Still Scrolling? You'll Love This 👇
Our best 20-minute dinners in one free pack — tried and tested by thousands.
Trusted by 10,000+ home cooks.
Preparation Tips
Use room temperature eggs and dairy for better batter consistency.
Substitutions
Whole wheat flour can replace half of the all-purpose flour for added fiber.
Serving Suggestions
Serve warm with a cup of coffee or hot cocoa for the ultimate holiday treat.
Pin it 
Enjoy these lightened festive muffins that bring warmth and delight to your holiday mornings.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → What makes these coffee cakes lighter?
Incorporating unsweetened applesauce and low-fat Greek yogurt reduces fat content while keeping the texture moist and tender.
- → How is the cinnamon swirl achieved?
The swirl is made by mixing brown sugar with ground cinnamon and gently swirling it into the batter before baking.
- → Can these be made dairy-free?
Dairy-free substitutions like plant-based yogurt and non-dairy butter can replace the yogurt and butter in the streusel topping.
- → What is the purpose of the streusel topping?
The streusel adds a crunchy, sweet contrast to the tender crumb of the coffee cake with a touch of cinnamon spice.
- → How should these be stored?
Store cooled cakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
- → Can I add mix-ins to the batter?
For extra flavor and texture, chopped dried cranberries or walnuts can be gently folded into the batter before baking.
