These Cinnamon Sugar Donut Muffins are soft, fluffy, and coated in a sweet cinnamon sugar mix. They’re the perfect treat for breakfast or snack time!
Honestly, who can resist a muffin that tastes like a donut? I love serving them warm with a cup of coffee for a cozy morning. Give it a try—you won’t regret it!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
All-Purpose Flour: This is your main base for the muffins. While I recommend sticking with all-purpose for best results, you can use whole wheat flour for a heartier texture. Just note that whole wheat flour may make them denser.
Buttermilk: Buttermilk is fantastic for moisture and flavor. If you don’t have it, mix regular milk with a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar and let it sit for about 5 minutes. This gives a similar tang and works perfectly.
Granulated Sugar: This sweetens the muffins and is also used in the coating. If you want to cut down on sugar, consider using coconut sugar or a sugar substitute like Stevia, but keep an eye on measurements since they can be sweeter.
Cinnamon: Essential for flavor! If you’re a fan of spice, feel free to use more cinnamon or even try adding nutmeg for a warm twist. Just don’t go overboard—too much can overpower the other flavors.
How Do I Get My Muffins Fluffy and Light?
The key to fluffy muffins is all in the mixing and baking process. Here are my top tips:
- Mix your dry and wet ingredients separately first. Pour the wet mixture into the dry, and then stir gently until just combined. Overmixing can lead to dense muffins.
- Make sure your ingredients are at room temperature, especially the butter and eggs. This helps your muffins rise nicely.
- Don’t skip cooling them in the pan for a few minutes before coating. This helps set them a bit so they’re easier to handle without falling apart.
- Ensure your oven is preheated. An even baking temperature is crucial for the perfect rise, so keep that thermometer handy!
These small adjustments can make a big difference in creating light and fluffy donut muffins that are sure to please! Enjoy baking!
Cinnamon Sugar Donut Muffins
Ingredients:
- For the Muffins:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 1 cup buttermilk (or milk with 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating:
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (for brushing)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe will take about 15 minutes to prep and 18-22 minutes to bake. After baking, you’ll want to let the muffins cool for about 5 minutes before coating them, so plan for roughly 40 minutes total from start to finish. The perfect amount of time for a lovely treat!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat and Prepare the Muffin Tin:
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). While that’s heating up, take a moment to grease a 12-cup muffin tin or line it with muffin liners. This step is important to prevent sticking!
2. Make the Dry Mixture:
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. It’s important to mix these dry ingredients well so they’re evenly distributed.
3. Prepare the Wet Ingredients:
In another bowl, combine the melted butter (make sure it’s cool!), buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix everything well until smooth. This will make a creamy mixture that blends beautifully with the dry ingredients.
4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Carefully pour the wet mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir gently until combined—don’t worry if there are a few lumps. Overmixing can lead to dense muffins, so a few lumps are perfectly fine!
5. Fill the Muffin Tin:
Scoop the muffin batter evenly into your muffin tin, filling each cup about 2/3 full. This gives them room to rise without overflowing. You can use a cookie scoop for even portions!
6. Bake the Muffins:
Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 18-22 minutes. To check for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of a muffin—it should come out clean!
7. Prepare the Cinnamon Sugar Coating:
While the muffins are baking, mix together the 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon in a shallow bowl. This will be the sugary coating that gives your muffins that delightful donut-like finish.
8. Cool and Coat the Muffins:
Once the muffins are done, remove them from the oven and let them cool in the tin for about 5 minutes. While they’re still warm, brush each muffin lightly with melted butter, ensuring it’s well coated.
9. Roll in Cinnamon Sugar:
Now comes the fun part! Roll or sprinkle the warm muffins generously in the cinnamon sugar mixture until they’re coated well and looking delightful.
10. Enjoy Your Muffins!
Let the muffins cool a bit on a wire rack before serving them warm. They’re soft, fluffy, and perfectly coated with a delightful cinnamon sugar crust. Enjoy your delicious treat and see how quickly they disappear!
These muffins are a wonderful combination of soft interiors and a sweet, crunchy cinnamon sugar coating—just like a donut, but baked! Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a flavorful snack any time of day!
Can I Use a Different Type of Milk?
Absolutely! If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, you can use regular milk with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar added. Just let it sit for about 5 minutes to curdle, and you’ll have a great substitute!
What If I Don’t Have Unsalted Butter?
No problem! You can use salted butter instead. Just reduce the salt in the recipe to 1/4 teaspoon to balance the flavors. The muffins will still turn out delicious!
How Should I Store Leftover Muffins?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you’d like to keep them longer, you can freeze them in a zip-top bag for up to 3 months. Just thaw them at room temperature and reheat slightly before serving!
Can I Add Other Ingredients?
Definitely! Feel free to mix in chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or even diced apples for a different flavor twist. Just be mindful of the added moisture, especially with fruits, as it may require slight adjustments to the baking time.
