Lightened Christmas Coffee Cake

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.

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

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.

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My family gathers every holiday morning to enjoy these muffins fresh and warm it creates such a cozy tradition.

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.

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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.