Easy Cinnamon Donut Muffins Recipe

I embraced the charm of Simple Cinnamon Muffins as I combined all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, and rich unsalted butter with a dash of cinnamon. I whipped up these soft delights capturing the nostalgic essence of a bakery donut. These treats are simply irresistible for any time and bring pure smiles.

I recently came across this recipe while experimenting in the kitchen and I just had to share my Easy Cinnamon Donut Muffins with you. They remind me of the classic cinnamon sugar donuts from the bakery but are super simple to whip up at home.

I mix 2 cups all-purpose flour with 3/4 cup granulated sugar and add 2 teaspoons of baking powder, a pinch of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon to kick things off. Then I stir in 1/2 cup milk, 1/3 cup of melted unsalted butter, 1 large egg and a splash of vanilla extract.

Once they are done, I brush the top with an extra 2 tablespoons melted butter and sprinkle 1/4 cup additional granulated sugar along with 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon. This gives them that irresistible crispy topping that pairs perfectly with the soft, donut-like inner texture.

I always think of these as an easy, fun twist on my favorite breakfast sweets. Enjoy giving it a try!

Why I Like this Recipe

I really love this recipe for a couple of reasons. First off, the muffins come out super soft and taste just like old fashioned bakery donuts. I can never get enough of that warm, cinnamon sugar flavor that makes me feel all nostalgic and happy.

Another reason is how simple the recipe is. I don’t have to stress about fancy techniques or a million steps – it’s direct and easy to follow, which is perfect when I’m in a rush.

I also like that the topping adds a nice crunchy texture over the soft muffin, giving it a cool contrast in every bite. Lastly, the whole process fills my kitchen with the most amazing smell and reminds me of simpler times, which makes baking extra fun.

Ingredients

• All-purpose Flour: Supplies carbohydrates and structure; essential for texture in the muffins.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the muffins and provides carbohydrates for energy release.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds rich flavor and moisture; fats yield tender, flavorful muffins.
• Milk: Provides moisture and protein, resulting in a soft, pleasant muffin crumb.
• Ground Cinnamon: Offers warm spice notes, enhancing sweet flavors and aroma in the batter.
• Egg: Binds ingredients together and supplies protein, ensuring a stable, united batter.

Ingredient Quantities

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (for topping)
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for topping)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for topping)

How to Make this

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F and lightly grease your muffin tin with butter or nonstick spray.

2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon.

3. In another bowl, mix 1/2 cup milk, 1/3 cup melted unsalted butter, 1 large egg, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until well combined.

4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ones and stir gently until they are just mixed. Don’t overmix or your muffins might turn out tough.

5. Spoon the batter evenly into the muffin tin cups filling each about two-thirds full.

6. In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon for the topping.

7. Drizzle or sprinkle the topping mixture evenly over the muffin batter in each cup.

8. Put the muffin tin in the oven and bake for about 18 to 22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean.

9. Remove the muffins from the oven and let them cool in the tin for around 5 minutes.

10. Transfer the muffins onto a wire rack to cool completely, then serve warm and enjoy these tasty treats!

Equipment Needed

1. Oven
2. Muffin tin
3. Large mixing bowl
4. Medium bowl for wet ingredients
5. Small bowl for the topping mixture
6. Whisk
7. Measuring cups and spoons
8. Spatula for stirring
9. Cooling rack
10. Toothpick for testing doneness

FAQ

Easy Cinnamon Donut Muffins Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• Instead of all-purpose flour, you can try a gluten free flour blend or whole wheat flour for a nuttier taste.
• If you dont have granulated sugar, coconut sugar or even a bit of honey (reduce the milk a tad to compensate) works pretty well.
• For milk, almond milk or oat milk make a fine swap and adds a light, unique flavor.
• Melted unsalted butter can be replaced with melted coconut oil if you want a slight tropical twist.

Pro Tips

1. Be careful not to overmix your batter. A few lumps are okay and if you mix too much the muffins can get really dense which makes em taste heavy.
2. When measuring your flour, it really helps to spoon it into your cup and level it off. That way, you’re not packing in too much and ruining the muffin texture.
3. Try to use room temperature ingredients if you can. It kinda helps everything blend better and makes sure your muffins rise more evenly.
4. Let the muffins sit in the tin for a few minutes after you take them out of the oven before moving them over to a wire rack. They firm up a bit and are less likely to fall apart.