These super moist Tomte Muffins (Swedish Apple Muffins) are sure to become a new family favorite! Easy to make and bursting with sweet bites of apple, crunchy pecans and golden raisins, these muffins are a wholesome and delicious autumn treat.
Named after a whimsical gnome-like creature from Scandinavian folklore, these Tomte muffins are as charming and magical as their namesake.
For more easy and cozy Scandinavian-inspired baking recipes, try my Brown Sugar Cardamom Scones, Strawberry Rhubarb Scones or this delicious Pumpkin Rye Bread.
Ingredients
- All purpose flour forms the base of this recipe, and a little baking powder and baking soda serves as the leavener.
- Sugar brings sweetness and 2 eggs add structure and richness.
- Vegetable oil adds a super moist crumb to these muffins.
- Cubed fresh apples, vanilla extract, raisins and pecans bring sweetness and flavor and in the case of the pecans, a little crunch. Any apple works great here! I usually use Honeycrisp because they are my favorite and what I happen to have on hand.
- Before baking, the muffin batter is sprinkled with turbinado (or raw) sugar and a bit more cinnamon for a perfectly crunchy, sweet topping.
For exact amounts and detailed instructions, see the recipe card below.
Special Equipment Needed
How to Make This Recipe
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and line a 12 cup muffin tin with liners and set aside.
- Begin by peeling, coring and cutting your apples into ½ inch cubes. You will need about 1 ¾ cups of cubed apples. Set aside.
- Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, 1 teaspoon of the cinnamon and salt together in a medium bowl. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and sugar. Slowly add the oil, whisking constantly as you do so, and the vanilla extract. Continue to whisk the mixture until it is homogenous in texture and completely smooth.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Fold in with a rubber spatula until just combined. Fold in the chopped apples, pecans and raisins.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared muffin cups. In a small bowl, combine the turbinado sugar with the remaining ½ teaspoon of cinnamon. Sprinkle the cinnamon and sugar mixture evenly over the muffins. Bake until a tester inserted into the center of the muffins comes out clean, about 20-25 minutes.
Expert Tips
- Using a spring-loaded ice cream scoop makes quick and easy work of filling the muffin cups with batter.
FAQs
These muffins keep well in an air-tight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. See the FAQ below for information about freezing these muffins.
Yes! These freeze extremely well. Make sure your muffins are completely cooled and transfer them to a freezer safe bag or container. They will keep in the freezer for at least 3 months. Simply defrost in the microwave or on the counter top when you are ready to enjoy them.
There are many way to vary these Tomte muffins! Here are a few ideas to get you started: Substitute pears for the apples. Add a half teaspoon of ground cardamom or a quarter teaspoon of nutmeg to the batter along with the cinnamon. Substitute walnuts for the pecans. Leave the raisins out altogether if you prefer or add dried cranberries instead!
Related Recipes
Looking for more Scandinavian-inspired apple treats? Give these a try:
Recipe
Tomte Muffins (Swedish Apple Muffins)
Equipment
- 12 cup muffin tin
- muffin tin liners
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon divided
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup sugar
- ⅔ cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ¾ cups peeled and chopped apples
- ⅓ cup chopped pecans
- ⅓ cup golden raisins
- 3 tablespoons turbinado sugar for sprinkling *see note below
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a muffin tin with paper or foil liners.
- Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and 1 teaspoon cinnamon together in a medium bowl. Set aside.
- Whisk the eggs and sugar together until fully combined. Slowly add the oil and the vanilla and continue to mix until the mixture is homogeneous and completely smooth. Gently fold in the dry ingredients followed by the apples, pecans and raisins until just combined.
- Spoon the batter evenly into the prepared cups. Combine the turbinado sugar and the remaining ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon in a small bowl. Sprinkle evenly over the muffins.
- Bake until golden brown and a tester inserted in the center of the muffins comes out clean, about 20-25 minutes. Cool slightly before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
If you loved this recipe, give it a star review! Also, snap a picture of your Tomte Muffins and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #truenorthkitchen and tagging me @true_north_kitchen.
Brenda Pinkney says
Can I make these muffins as mini muffins? And if yes, how do I adjust baking temp and time?
Kristi says
Hi Brenda,
You can definitely make mini muffins! Keep the temp the same but start checking for doneness around 10 minutes (it will likely take 10-15). Enjoy!
Kristi
Brenda Pinkney says
Thank you 🙂
Beach3 says
Will make again
Raymond Waller says
These were delicious and I will definitely bake them again. Thank you!
Debi Naanes says
Made these this morning and they are delicious! The sugar rush afterwards was quite a doozy. In your opinion, how much could I reduce the sugar without affecting the consistency of the muffin? Thank you.
Kristi says
Hi Debi,
I would take the sugar down to 3/4 of a cup next time and see how that goes. You can always reduce it more if you like but that is definitely a safe place to start.
Kristi
Marcia Holm says
Excellent muffin! I did not add the nuts or raisins and increased the amount of apple.
Thanks - best muffin recipe!
Kristi says
Hi Marcia,
So glad you enjoyed it!
Kristi