Cinnamon Sugar Muffins

By: Holly  |  Published: March 2, 2021  |  Updated: March 2, 2021  |   Comment

Cinnamon Sugar Muffins have never tasted sweeter!

Cinnamon roll muffins are a variation of the popular cinnamon roll donuts that everyone stands in line for early in the morning! Now you can make this recipe in your own kitchen. And with a few tips and tricks, your Cinnamon Sugar Muffins can be bakery quality and will become a family favorite!

Cinnamon Sugar Muffins

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Cinnamon Roll Muffins

We love Cinnamon Sugar Muffins because they are rich but light and fluffy, with a distinctive tangy buttermilk flavor. And the optional glaze and cinnamon sugar topping makes them perfect to enjoy with a latte, a warm and steamy cup of hot cocoa, or a smoothe. Even a healthy berry banana smoothie bowl goes great with these cinnamon roll muffins!

Ingredients & Variations

SPICES – Our cinnamon sugar muffin mix is the perfect mixture of sweet and tangy, laced with aromatic spices like nutmeg and cinnamon. 

SUGAR – Granulated sugar is great for the muffin recipe, but for the cinnamon sugar sprinkle on the top, superfine sugar will blend better with the cinnamon and butter. If superfine sugar is not available, place sugar in a small bowl and using the back of a spoon, crush the granules. A coffee grinder or small food processor may do the trick, depending on the model. A mortar and pestle will work, too!

VARIATIONS – Even mashed bananas or finely diced apples can be added for a little extra flavor. As a twist, we like to add a tablespoon or two of pumpkin puree along with some pumpkin spice mix for a little festive flaire.

How Do You Make Cinnamon Muffins from Scratch?

Cinnamon Sugar Muffins are so easy to make right in your own kitchen. 

1. Mix spices with sugar and melted butter. Stir in the buttermilk and vanilla. Add cake flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix until just combined. PRO TIP: Regular flour can be used but cake flour produces a finer crumb. 
2. Let the batter rest at room temperature. This helps the batter thicken and the crumb will have a better texture after baking.
3. Pour the batter equally into paper-lined muffin tins. Bake as directed.
4. Let muffins cool before removing from the muffin tin.

For the Topping:

1. Whisk together the powdered sugar, the vanilla, and the half and half until it’s smooth.
2. Dip each cooled muffin into the glaze and place on a wire rack. Let the glaze harden for about 30 minutes.

Optional: Brush tops of muffins with melted butter and dip them in cinnamon sugar and serve immediately.

For Mini-Muffins

• Bake in paper-lined mini-muffin tins and bake for about 10 minutes. Cool and top per directions.

Recipe Tips and Timesaving Tricks

• If you forgot to let your buttermilk get to room temperature, you can warm it up in the microwave for 15 seconds.
• Do you put sugar on muffins before baking? This is not advised as the sugar will caramelize and burn before the muffins fully bake.
• Try not to overmix the batter. Minimal mixing ensures air remains in the batter so the muffins bake up light and airy.
• Bake muffins on a center rack in the oven, turning the pan halfway in the middle of baking to avoid hot spots that ovens often have.
• Keep a jar of cinnamon sugar in the pantry for last-minute muffin baking and occasional pieces of cinnamon toast! If you forget to use the buttermilk at room temperature, heat in the microwave for about 15 seconds.

How To Store Cinnamon Sugar Muffins

Keep muffins in a zippered bag at room temperature with a slice of bread in the bag to absorb excess moisture. They will last about 5 days. Wrap in plastic wrap and pop into a backpack or briefcase for an early breakfast or a mid-morning snack! Or place in a freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months.

Other Easy Muffin Recipes To Try!

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