Fall is one of my favorite times of the year, and I think it’s because it gives me permission to slow down and get cozy. The leaves are turning, the air has a little bite to it, and suddenly everything in me wants to turn on the oven.

These cinnamon green apple muffins are what that feeling tastes like.

They’re soft and tender, full of warm spice and little pockets of tart green apple. On top, I added a pumpkin spice granola streusel, made with homemade granola, honey, and pumpkin seeds, mixed right into a buttery brown sugar crumble. It bakes up golden and crunchy, with just enough chew from the oats. Every bite has a little of everything: sweet, spiced, and toasty.

Picture the morning you’d bake them for. The house is quiet and the light is soft. You pour a hot cup of coffee or tea, wrap your hands around the mug, and settle in by the window with a warm muffin. Outside, the leaves are dancing in the breeze, and the sun is catching the dew on the grass, which is just starting to turn with the season.

That’s the whole point, really. It’s not about being fancy. It’s about creating a small moment that feels like a hug.

This is what setting the table with love means to me. I baked a batch of these for friends coming over for tea and coffee this week, and I can’t think of a better way to welcome people in than with something warm from the oven and a seat by the window.

If you’re looking for a reason to bake this fall, consider this your sign. Put the kettle on. Grab your favorite mug. Let the kitchen smell like cinnamon.

Recipe below.

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Cinnamon Green Apple Muffins with Pumpkin Spice Granola Streusel

Makes: 12 muffins
Bake: 20-25 minutes at 350°F (177°C)

Ingredients

Muffins

• 1 1/4 cups (156g) all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 3/8 tsp baking soda (a scant 1/2 tsp)
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/8 tsp each ground ginger and allspice
• 1/2 cup (120ml) vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup (50g) packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup (120g) unsweetened applesauce
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 Tbsp orange juice
• 1 1/2 cups (180g) peeled, chopped green apples (1/2-inch chunks, about 1-2 apples)

Granola streusel topping

• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 Tbsp cold butter
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• Pinch of salt
• 1/2 cup pumpkin spice honey pumpkin seed granola (homemade)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with liners.
2. In a large bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk the oil, both sugars, applesauce, eggs, vanilla, and orange juice. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and whisk until just combined. Fold in the apples.
4. Make the streusel: mix the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Cut in the cold butter with your fingers until crumbly, then stir in the granola.
5. Divide the batter among the 12 cups, filling them nearly full. Top each with a generous spoonful of streusel and press it in lightly.
6. Bake 20-25 minutes, until a toothpick in the center comes out clean. If the granola browns too fast, tent loosely with foil around the 15-minute mark.
7. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then move to a wire rack.

Notes

• Room temperature eggs help the batter mix smoothly.
• Press the streusel in gently so it stays put while baking.
• Best served warm, with a cup of coffee or tea by the window.