This will become your favorite peach muffins recipe because each bite is loaded with juicy peaches, cinnamon spice, and delicious brown sugar. Top these buttery and cake-like muffins with brown sugar cinnamon streusel and don’t forget to finish them off with a drizzle of vanilla icing. Of course, both are completely optional if you prefer plain peach muffins.
I originally published this recipe in 2014 and have since added new photos and more helpful success tips.
Over many years and many (many) batches, this peach muffin recipe has stood the test of time. I make a point to bake multiple batches each summer, freezing extras to enjoy throughout the cooler fall months. Just a quick glance at the reviews tells me readers have the same idea:
One reader, Crista, commented: “These were amazing! Easy to make and gone by the next day. My picky 7-year-old who doesn’t even like peaches loved these! โ โ โ โ โ ”
Another reader, Emma, commented: “Super excellent recipe!! Muffins are a challenge for me, and this recipe and baking strategy worked a charm! โ โ โ โ โ ”
And another reader, Paula, commented: “Bravo!! This recipe is easy to follow and the muffins are a heavenly summer treat! My brunch guests LOVED them and I’m buying more peaches to make again! โ โ โ โ โ “
You’ll Love These Peach Muffins Too:
Each bite is flavorful and textured with juicy peaches and crisp-crunchy brown sugar crumble topping. You know when you bite into a muffin and there’s about 2 pieces of fruit? Not the case hereโthese are packed with peaches. Cinnamon, allspice, and brown sugar add rich, comforting flavors. You can use fresh or frozen peaches, and the baked + cooled muffins freeze beautifully. For some wholesome flavor, you can even substitute 1 cup (125g) of the flour for whole wheat flour. Lots to love here!
Use This Top-Rated Muffin Batter Recipe
If you’re a regular reader, you might recognize this muffin batter. It’s my base muffin recipe for several muffin variations on my website, including blueberry muffins and apple cinnamon muffins. The carefully selected ingredients and ratio of wet-to-dry ingredients promises a moist, buttery, and cake-like muffin that’s still a bit denser than, say, vanilla cupcakes.
I heavily depend on this versatile recipe because it uses basic baking ingredients and holds up well to nearly any add-in. I like to change up the spices and ratio of brown and white granulated sugars depending on the flavor I’m baking. (For example, today’s peach muffins uses a higher ratio of brown sugar to white sugar compared to these strawberry cheesecake muffins.)
Key Ingredients in These Peach Muffins
The muffin batter recipe calls for 14 ingredients, which sounds like a lot, but they’re pretty much all basics like flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, etc. Some notes:
- Cinnamon & Allspice: Both add exceptional flavor to your muffins. If you don’t have allspice, you can substitute in ground nutmeg, ginger, or even pumpkin pie spice. If you love these flavors here, you’ll love them together in my apple pie recipe, too.
- Softened Butter: A base of creamed butter and sugar (instead of using melted butter or oil) often helps achieve a soft, buttery texture. Make sure itโs proper room temperature butter.
- White & Brown Sugars: Both sweeten, and brown sugar also adds a little moisture & flavor. Feel free to use all brown sugar.
- Eggs: 2 eggs provide structure. For an egg-free peach recipe, try my peach crisp.
- Sour Cream or Yogurt: The muffins are moist because we add yogurt or sour cream to the batter. just like we do when making fresh peach cake and sour cream coffee cake. You can use either; full fat or low fat.
- Milk: Use whatever you haveโwhole milk, 1%, almond milk, buttermilk, oat milk, etc. You only need 2 Tablespoons, which is less than other recipes using this muffin batter. Peaches are very wet and using less milk keeps the batter thick and sturdy.
- Peaches: Peel and cut your peaches into small bite-size chunks. You need about 3.
Do I need to coat the peaches in flour before adding to the batter? No, that’s not necessary here because the muffin batter is so thick. The peaches easily stay scattered throughout the muffin and do not really sink.
Success tip for peeling and cutting peaches: Peaches are very wet, so wash and dry your hands, vegetable peeler, and knife often if everything begins to get a little slippery. I recommend doing the same when preparing peaches for peach pie and peach cobbler, too.
Streusel Crumb Topping
Crumb topping and muffins go hand-in-hand, so if you want to spruce the peach muffins up, add a spoonful to each before baking. The crumb topping uses some of the SAME ingredients you need in the muffin batterโvery convenient! Some crumb toppings require cold butter and a pastry cutter to mix, but we’re using melted butter here, so just use a fork. It’s nearly the same crumb topping you use when making peach crumble pie.
My crumb topping advice: do not over-mix the crumb ingredients or else you will end up with paste. Keep it crumbly and press the crumbs slightly down into the muffin batter so it can stick.
Success Tip: How to Create the Perfect Tall Muffin Tops
For tall muffin tops, there are 3 directions to follow closely:
- Make sure your muffin batter is THICK. (This one is!)
- Fill your muffin tins/liners all the way to the top with batter.
- Bake the muffins for 5 minutes at an initial high temperature, and then lower the temperature while keeping the oven door closed. This initial high oven temperature quickly lifts up the muffin top. Once the temperature is lowered, the centers of the muffins bake. I recommend this in nearly all of these muffin recipes.
Don’t get nervous if some of the crumb topping melts down into the muffin batterโtotally normal here.
Icing Is Optional
Vanilla icing is a lovely finishing touch and definitely gives the muffins a dessert-like vibe. You need just 3 ingredients: confectioners’ sugar, heavy cream (or half-and-half or milk), and vanilla extract. Whisk all 3 together and drizzle over your warm muffins. Feel free to skip the icing, and again, you can skip the crumb topping as well.
In fact, one reader, Pamela, commented: “I made these without the streusel and glaze. They are wonderful! I did add a bit of coarse sugar to the tops. The muffin is simply heavenly on its own… โ โ โ โ โ ”
More Muffin Recipes
I have dozens of muffin recipes on my site and in my cookbook! Here are a few favorites:
- Applesauce Muffins
- Morning Glory Muffins
- Banana Muffins
- Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins
- Double Chocolate Muffins
- Zucchini Muffins
- Lemon Blueberry Muffins
Peach Streusel Muffins
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 23 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 12 muffins
- Category: Muffins
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Buttery, tender, and moist, these peach muffins are topped with a brown sugar streusel crumb and sweet vanilla glaze. Both toppings are completely optional if you prefer plain peach muffins.
Ingredients
Crumb Topping
- 1/3 cup (67g) packed light or dark brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon (15g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup (4 Tbsp; 56g) unsalted butter, melted
- 2/3 cup (84g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
Muffins
- 1 and 3/4 cups (219g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (8 Tbsp; 113g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1/2 cup (100g) packedย light or dark brown sugar
- 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1/2 cup (120g) plain yogurt or sour cream, at room temperature*
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 Tablespoons (30ml) milk, at room temperature
- 1 and 3/4 cups (300โ320g) peeled chopped peaches (about 3 peaches)*
Vanilla Icing (Optional)
- 1 cup (120g) confectioners’ sugar
- 3 Tablespoons (45ml) heavy cream (or milk for a thinner consistency)
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425ยฐF (218ยฐC). Spray a 12-count muffin pan with nonstick spray or line with cupcake liners. Set aside.ย
- Make the crumb topping: Mix the brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter together in a small bowl until combined. Add the flour and use a fork to gently mix until crumbs form. Don’t over-mix into a paste. Just mix until it is crumbly. Set aside.
- Make the muffins:ย Whisk the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, allspice, and salt together in a medium bowl. Set aside.
- In a large bowl using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter and both sugars together on high speed until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed. Add the eggs, yogurt or sour cream, and vanilla extract. Beat on medium speed for 1 minute, then turn up to high speed until the mixture is combined and mostly creamy. (It’s ok if it appears somewhat curdled.) Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed. With the mixer running on low speed, add the dry ingredients and milk into the wet ingredients and beat until no flour pockets remain. Fold in the chopped peaches.
- Spoon the batter evenly into each cup or liner, filling each all the way to the top. Spoon crumb topping on each, gently pressing it down so it sticks.
- Bake for 5 minutes at 425ยฐF; then, without opening the oven, reduce the oven temperature to 350ยฐF (177ยฐC). Bake for an additional 16โ19 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The total time these muffins take in the oven is about 21โ24 minutes. Allow the muffins to cool for 5 minutes in the muffin pan, then transfer to a wire rack to continue cooling. When warm, the muffins are quite fragile because of the wet peaches. Let them cool for at least 15 minutes before unwrapping and eating.
- Make the icing: Whisk all of the icing ingredients together and drizzle over warm or cooled muffins.
- Iced or plain muffins stay fresh covered at room temperature for a few days or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Notes
- Freezing Instructions: Muffins freeze well for up to 3 months. It’s best to freeze the muffins without the icing and add the icing after thawing and before serving. (Freezing them with the icing on is completely fine, but the muffins taste better with fresh icing.) Thaw muffins in the refrigerator or at room temperature before icing/serving.
- Special Tools (affiliate links):ย 12-count Muffin Pan | Cupcake Liners | Glass Mixing Bowls | Whisk | Electric Mixer (Handheld or Stand) | Cooling Rack
- Yogurt or Sour Cream: You can use either regular or Greek plain yogurt in this recipe (any fat content) or sour cream. The same amount of unsweetened applesauce or mashed banana may also be used if needed.
- Milk:ย You can use any milk, dairy or nondairy.
- Frozen Peaches: You can use chopped frozen peachesโdo not thaw. Extend total bake time by 1โ2 minutes.
- Jumbo Muffin Pan: 425ยฐF for 5 minutes, then reduce to 350ยฐF for 22โ25 minutes for a total of 27โ30. Makes about 6.ย
- Mini Muffin Pan: 350ยฐF for 12โ14 minutes. Makes about 36โ40.
- Quick Bread: This butter-based recipe isn’t ideal to turn into a quick bread because of the heavy, wet peaches. However, a slightly different oil-based batter yields wonderful results, so use my Peach Quick Bread recipe instead.
- Why is everything at room temperature? All refrigerated items should be at room temperature so the batter mixes together easily and evenly. Read more about room temperature ingredients in baking.
- Why the initial high oven temperature?ย Like I do for mostย muffin recipes, bake the muffins for 5 minutes at a very hot temperature. Then, keeping the muffins in the oven, switch to a lower temperature for the remaining bake time. This initial high temperature will quickly lift the muffin tops so theyโre extra high, then the centers will bake during the lower temperature bake time. This trick makes beautiful bakery-style muffins every time.
Reader Comments and Reviews
These were fantastic! I doubled the recipe. Theyโre like eating peach pie in a muffin form, delicious!
Made these yesterday.
Just substituted 1/4 cup blueberries for the peaches.
Just topped with Demera sugar instead of the crumble.
Another great recipe!
Thank you.
Sally – these were beautiful! we found perfect canadian peaches at our local store, and i just whipped a batch up. i didn’t make the topping, but i used greek yogurt instead of sour cream. i added pinches of ground clove and nutmeg too. a fresh and light spongy muffin – so good i had TWO at one sitting ๐ such a fan of your website and appreciative that you use gram measurements!
Do you know if canned peaches could be used instead of fresh peaches?
S
Hi Sue, canned peaches shouldnโt be a problem! Blot a bit dry before using.
Delicious melt in your mouth muffins and still gorgeous and moist 5 days later kept in the fridge. I’m not a regular baker and have never made muffins before! This is now my go to recipe so onto the next flavour ๐
Thank you Sally ๐
I made your blueberry muffins and loved them so canโt wait to try these! In the blueberry recipe it said if you use buttermilk to skip the regular milk and sour cream, would
That be the same case here?
Yes! For these peach muffins, you can substitute BOTH the sour cream/yogurt and milk for 1/2 cup + 3 Tbsp (about 160-165ml) buttermilk.
I doubled the recipe because I had double the chopped peaches. Followed the recipe and filled to the top of the tin as instructed and they completely flooded over the sides and pan and didnโt rise as Iโd expect during the first 5 minutes. Was there too much liquid in the peaches? Peaches were cut into chunks approx 1 inch in size. Have never had this happen so Iโm flumoxed!
Hi Bernadette, we would chop the peaches smaller next time! We do recommend making two batches next time, instead of doubling, for best results.
Just made these. I am surprised at how airy they are because the dough felt heavy. The taste is excellent, not overly sweet. Definitely will be making them again.
This recipe was tasty. However, in your write up you say to add 1-2 extra minutes to the cook time if using frozen peaches. I found they needed about 10 extra minutes. I also let them cool in the pan for 10, not 5 minutes & they stayed together a bit better.
These peach muffins were awesome! Thank you for the delicious recipe
Lovely recipe and it was a hit. The only thing for me was I had extra topping leftover. I am saving it to add to another recipe. Not sure why as noone else has mentioned this.
Our familyโs new favorite muffin. They are absolutely delicious and we canโt stop eating them! Made mini muffins, following all the directions above. Thanks for another great recipe!
This recipe sounds so yummy! How long do these muffins last without a fridge? Want to take a batch camping.
This recipe turned out amazing! Definitely didnโt need icing in my opinion, but the crumble was excellent!