Jump to Recipe
A Tea Twist on a Classic Muffin
Your favorite teas can be used for more then just drinking. Imagine the cozy, rich flavors of Organic English Breakfast Tea infused into a warm muffin. This recipe makes for a great weekend treat, or holiday muffin perfect for sharing with friends and family.
Pairing English Breakfast Tea with Apples
This muffins delivers a perfect balance of cozy flavors. The sweetness of the apples and crumble topping pairs wonderfully with the hearty flavor profile of Organic English Breakfast Tea. Adding this tea is a simple step that add a flavor twist and a small kick of caffeine.
This recipe is also easily customizable. If you prefer a different tea then Organic English Breakfast, try Earl Grey, Assam, or Darjeeling.
Different Ways to Bake with Tea
-
Steeping the tea leaves into milk or cream
- This method works best for cakes and frostings because these recipes tend to have liquid ingredients good for steeping tea into like milk or water.
-
Grinding the leaves into a powder
- This method works well for cookies or scones because these recipes tend to lack many liquid ingredients.
-
Infusing the tea into the butter
- Infused butter works especially well in cookies, shortbread, scones, and pound cakes. To achieve this, melt the butter and tea leaves together in a sauce pan.
English Breakfast Apple Crumble Muffins

20 min
18-22 min
12 muffins
Muffins
Ingredients
For the Muffins:
- 2 tablespoons Organic English Breakfast Tea
- 1/3 cup boiling water
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 2/3 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt or sour cream
- 1 heaping cup diced apples (peeled)
For the Crumble Topping:
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/3 cup flour
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
Directions
1. Prepare the Tea Infusion:
Steep 2 tablespoons Organic English Breakfast Tea in 1/3 cup boiling water for 7 minutes.
Strain and let the tea cool completely.
2. Make the Crumble:
In a bowl, combine oats, flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
Add cold butter cubes and work them in with your fingers or a fork until the mixture is crumbly. Chill until ready to use.
3. Preheat Oven & Prep Pan:
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease well.
4. Mix Dry Ingredients:
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
5. Mix Wet Ingredients:
In another bowl, whisk melted butter with brown sugar until smooth.
Add eggs, vanilla, yogurt (or sour cream), and the cooled tea infusion. Mix well.
6. Combine & Add Apples:
Add wet ingredients to dry and gently mix until just combined (do not over-mix).
Fold in diced apples.
7. Fill Muffin Tins:
Divide batter evenly among muffin cups. Top each with a generous sprinkle of crumble.
8. Bake:
Bake 18–22 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean and tops are golden brown.
9. Cool & Enjoy:
Let muffins cool 5 minutes in the tin, then transfer to a wire rack.
Serving Suggestions and Variations
Classic Tea Pairing:
Serve warm muffins alongside a cup of Organic English Breakfast Tea for the ultimate cozy breakfast or afternoon tea treat.
Warm Muffin with Whipped Butter:
Slice muffins in half and spread whipped, lightly salted butter on it. This traditional English touch makes each bite even more indulgent.
Nut Add-Ins:
Add toasted walnuts or pecans to the muffin mixture before baking for added texture and flavor.
Honey or Maple Drizzle:
Drizzle warm muffins with a little honey or pure maple syrup just before serving. This adds a touch of sweetness that pairs perfectly with the apple and english breakfast flavors.
FAQs
What I can substitute the yogurt for?
Applesauce makes a great substitute if you want to skip the yogurt.
Can I use a different type of tea if I don’t have English Breakfast?
Yes! While English Breakfast tea provides a rich, malty flavor, you can substitute with another black tea, like Assam or Darjeeling. For a caffeine-free version, try rooibos or another herbal tea, but note that the flavor will be lighter.
Do I have to peel the apples before adding them to the muffins?
Peeling is optional! Leaving the skins on adds extra fiber, nutrients, and color. If you prefer a softer texture, peel the apples before dicing.

