Cinnamon Sugar Donut Muffins Recipe

If you have a sweet tooth and a love for cozy flavors, the Cinnamon Sugar Donut Muffins Recipe is the perfect treat to brighten your day. Imagine these soft, fluffy muffins coated in a buttery cinnamon sugar glaze that feels just like your favorite nostalgic donut, but baked to perfection in mini muffin form. They’re quick to whip up, bursting with warm spices and a touch of sweetness, making them an irresistible snack or a delightful addition to breakfast. This recipe brings the best of both worlds: the ease of muffins and the comfort of cinnamon-sugar coated donuts, all in one delightful bite.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering the right ingredients is the secret to making your Cinnamon Sugar Donut Muffins Recipe truly shine. Each item here plays a key role, from providing the tender crumb to creating that signature cinnamon sugar coating that makes them so addictive.

• All-purpose flour: 1 ½ cups to create a soft, tender base for the muffins.
• Baking powder: 1 teaspoon helps the muffins rise perfectly and stay light.
• Salt: ½ teaspoon balances the sweetness and enhances flavors.
• Nutmeg (freshly grated or ground): ¼ teaspoon adds a subtle warmth and depth to the spice profile.
• Unsalted butter (room temperature): 6 tablespoons for a rich, moist texture inside the muffins.
• Granulated sugar: ½ cup to sweeten the batter just right.
• Egg (room temperature): 1 egg binds everything together and adds structure.
• Vanilla extract: ½ teaspoon brings out the warm flavors beautifully.
• Whole milk: ½ cup to keep the batter smooth and moist.
• Butter for coating: 6 tablespoons melted butter to help the cinnamon sugar stick.
• Sugar for coating: ½ cup combined with cinnamon for that classic donut finish.
• Ground cinnamon: 2 teaspoons for that irresistible cinnamon sugar flavor.

How to Make Cinnamon Sugar Donut Muffins Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Pan

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. It’s important to get your mini muffin pan ready by spraying it with nonstick cooking spray—silicone pans work like a charm here. This helps your muffins pop out flawlessly after baking.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg. This mixture forms the foundation of the muffin’s flavor and texture, ensuring the spices and leavening are evenly distributed for a perfect crumb.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

Using a stand mixer or electric hand mixer, beat the room temperature butter for 1 to 2 minutes until soft and smooth. Then add granulated sugar and continue beating on medium speed until the mixture is creamy and fluffy. This step is key to lightening the muffin batter and giving it a tender crumb.

Step 4: Add Egg and Vanilla

Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and thick. These ingredients add moisture, structure, and that lovely vanilla warmth which elevates the whole muffin.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

With your mixer on low speed, add the flour mixture in three parts, alternating with the milk in two parts (start and end with flour). Mix only until incorporated to avoid tough muffins, resulting in a smooth, luscious batter ready for baking.

Step 6: Fill the Muffin Pan

Use a small cookie scoop or spoon to portion the batter evenly into the mini muffin pan. This ensures uniform baking and perfectly sized cinnamon sugar donut muffins every time.

Step 7: Bake

Bake your muffins for about 12 minutes or until their tops feel firm and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Once baked, let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. This gentle cooling makes them easier to handle without breaking.

Step 8: Prepare Cinnamon Sugar Coating

While muffins cool, melt butter in a bowl and mix sugar with ground cinnamon in another. This simple combo is what transforms these muffins into irresistible cinnamon sugar donut delights—meltingly sweet on the outside, soft and warm on the inside.

Step 9: Coat the Muffins

Roll each muffin first in the melted butter, then generously coat with cinnamon sugar. Be patient—let them sit on a rack for about 20 minutes. This resting time allows the flavors to absorb fully, giving each muffin that authentic cinnamon sugar donut taste and texture.

How to Serve Cinnamon Sugar Donut Muffins Recipe

Garnishes

A light dusting of powdered sugar or an extra sprinkle of cinnamon sugar just before serving adds a charming touch. You could also drizzle a thin glaze made with powdered sugar and a splash of milk for a glossy finish that makes the muffins look as good as they taste.

Side Dishes

These muffins pair wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee or chai tea. For brunch, serve alongside fresh fruit or a creamy yogurt parfait to balance the sweetness with freshness and a bit of tartness.

Creative Ways to Present

Try stacking the muffins on a tiered serving tray for an inviting display at parties or brunches. Alternatively, serve them with small bowls of maple syrup or melted chocolate for dipping, turning your Cinnamon Sugar Donut Muffins Recipe into an interactive treat everyone will love.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover cinnamon sugar donut muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Keep them away from moisture to maintain that crisp cinnamon sugar coating.

Freezing

If you want to save them for longer, freeze muffins in a sealed container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw them at room temperature, then reapply a light brush of melted butter and a cinnamon sugar dusting before serving to refresh the coating.

Reheating

Warm your muffins gently in the microwave for about 15 seconds or in a preheated oven at 325°F for 5 minutes. This revives their soft texture and brings back that fresh-from-the-oven aroma, making every bite taste like a delightful morning treat.

FAQs

Can I use a regular muffin pan instead of a mini muffin pan?

Absolutely! Just keep in mind that baking times will be longer—usually around 18 to 20 minutes. You’ll want to test with a toothpick to check for doneness since larger muffins require more baking time to cook through.

Is it okay to substitute butter with oil?

Butter provides flavor and helps with the coating, so it’s best not to substitute it in this recipe. However, if you’re in a pinch, using oil in the batter might work, but you’ll miss out on that rich buttery taste and coating texture that make this recipe special.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, by swapping the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. Make sure it contains xanthan gum for structure. The texture might be slightly different, but the flavor will remain delicious!

Why do I need to let the muffins sit after coating with cinnamon sugar?

Letting them rest allows the coating to absorb into the muffin’s surface so each bite softens slightly, capturing that genuine cinnamon sugar donut experience. Skipping this step means the coating won’t stick as well and can feel grainy.

Can these Cinnamon Sugar Donut Muffins Recipe be made vegan?

With some ingredient tweaks, yes! Use vegan butter and substitute the egg with a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water). Use a plant-based milk to keep it completely vegan, and the muffins will still be tasty.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly heartwarming about the Cinnamon Sugar Donut Muffins Recipe that feels like eating a hug in a bite. Easy to make and impossible to resist, they’re a fantastic way to add a sprinkle of joy to any day. Whether sharing with friends, family, or savoring solo, these muffins bring delight from the first bite to the last crumb. Give this recipe a try—you’ll soon find yourself reaching for them again and again!

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