If you have a soft spot for cinnamon and a love for anything muffin-shaped, you are going to adore this Cinnamon Coffee Cake Muffins Recipe. Imagine biting into a tender, moist muffin with a buttery cinnamon swirl running through each bite, topped with a crunchy crumb and a sweet vanilla glaze that ties it all beautifully together. These muffins are the perfect blend of coffee cake charm in an easy-to-grab form that’s absolutely ideal for breakfast, snack time, or even a cozy dessert. Once you make this recipe, it will quickly become your go-to treat to brighten any day.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients you’ll use might seem straightforward, but each one plays a vital role to create the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and color in these Cinnamon Coffee Cake Muffins. From the rich melted butter that adds moisture, to the cinnamon that warms up every bite, these essentials combine beautifully.
- 1 ½ sticks butter (salted, melted): Gives the muffins a rich tenderness and helps with that golden crust.
- 1 cup sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with the muffin’s moist texture.
- ½ cup sour cream (or a vegan sour cream): Makes the crumb soft and adds a subtle tang to balance the sweetness.
- ½ cup milk (regular or plant-based, room temperature): Moistens the batter and keeps the muffins light.
- 2 large eggs (whisked, room temperature): Provides structure and richness.
- 1 Tbsp. vanilla extract: Enhances all the other flavors with its warm, sweet aroma.
- 2 ½ cups flour (all purpose or a gluten-free 1-to-1 blend): The base that holds everything together.
- 1 Tbsp. baking powder: Ensures the muffins rise beautifully and stay fluffy.
- ½ tsp. salt: Balances flavor and intensifies the sweetness.
- ⅓ cup packed brown sugar + 1 ½ tsp. cinnamon (ground): These form the irresistible cinnamon swirl inside the muffins.
- ½ cup packed brown sugar + ⅔ cup flour + 4 Tbsp. melted butter + 2 tsp. cinnamon (for crumb topping): Creates the crumbly, buttery topping that’s pure magic on every bite.
- 1 cup powdered sugar + 1-2 Tbsp. milk + ½ tsp. vanilla (for glaze): The final sweet drizzle that makes the muffins feel extra special.
How to Make Cinnamon Coffee Cake Muffins Recipe
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Start by cranking your oven up to 425 degrees. This initial high heat jump-starts the baking process, helping the muffins rise quickly and get that beautiful golden top before you lower the temperature for gentle finishing.
Step 2: Whisk Together the Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk the melted butter with sugar, sour cream, milk, whisked eggs, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and no lumps of sour cream remain. This step is crucial for an even batter and tender crumb.
Step 3: Add Dry Ingredients
Sprinkle in your flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir just until combined—you want to avoid overmixing here to keep your muffins light and airy. A few clumps are totally okay.
Step 4: Mix Cinnamon Swirl Ingredients
In a small bowl, whisk together brown sugar and cinnamon. This simple but essential swirl adds that signature cinnamon sweetness inside your muffins.
Step 5: Fill the Muffin Tray
Line a 12-cup muffin tray with liners and lightly spray with non-stick spray. Fill each muffin cup about one-third to halfway with batter, sprinkle about 1 ½ teaspoons of the cinnamon swirl mixture, then top with the remaining batter almost to the brim. Use a toothpick to create a swirling action that mixes the cinnamon swirl gently into the batter—this is where the magic happens!
Step 6: Finish with Crumb Topping
Whisk together brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and melted butter in a medium bowl until coarse crumbs form. Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly and press lightly so it sticks to the batter. This crunchy, buttery layer gives the muffins that coffee cake essence everyone loves.
Step 7: Bake in Oven
Bake at 425 degrees for 5 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 375 and bake for an additional 15 to 17 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. This two-stage baking ensures a tender inside with a crisp top.
Step 8: Finish with Glaze
Once the muffins have cooled to room temperature, whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla together until smooth. Drizzle this glaze over the muffins for a sweet, shiny finish that makes these Cinnamon Coffee Cake Muffins Recipe worthy of sharing with friends and family.
How to Serve Cinnamon Coffee Cake Muffins Recipe
Garnishes
While the glaze already adds a lovely touch, a light dusting of cinnamon or a few chopped toasted nuts on top can amp up the texture and appearance, perfect for impressing guests or adding a cozy touch at the breakfast table.
Side Dishes
Pair these muffins with a hot cup of coffee, tea, or even a creamy latte for a classic coffee cake experience. Fresh fruit or a small bowl of yogurt can also balance the sweetness and make for a well-rounded morning meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For gatherings or brunches, arrange the muffins on a decorative tiered cake stand surrounded by fresh flowers or seasonal fruit slices. You can also serve them warm with a smear of butter or cream cheese to highlight their soft, buttery texture.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftover muffins fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay moist and delicious for up to three days, making them perfect for quick breakfasts or snacks during the week.
Freezing
Cinnamon Coffee Cake Muffins Recipe is freezer-friendly! Wrap each muffin tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Frozen muffins will keep well for up to three months and can be thawed overnight in the fridge or at room temperature.
Reheating
To enjoy muffins warm, simply microwave them for 15 to 20 seconds or pop them into a toaster oven for a few minutes. The crumb topping will regain some crispness, and the warmth will bring out all those lovely cinnamon flavors anew.
FAQs
Can I make these muffins gluten-free?
Absolutely! Using a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend works wonderfully in this Cinnamon Coffee Cake Muffins Recipe, giving you the same tender crumb and delicious flavor without the gluten.
Can I substitute the sour cream?
Yes, if you prefer a dairy-free or vegan option, plant-based sour cream works just fine and won’t compromise the texture or tanginess that sour cream adds.
Is there a way to make these muffins less sweet?
You can reduce the granulated sugar in the batter by about a quarter cup if you prefer a less sweet muffin. Keep the sugar in the crumb and glaze the same to maintain balance.
What can I use instead of the cinnamon glaze?
If you’d like an alternative, a simple dusting of powdered sugar or a cream cheese frosting can complement the cinnamon flavors beautifully and provide a different texture to the finish.
Can I prepare the batter ahead of baking?
Yes! You can prepare the muffin batter the night before, keep it covered in the fridge, and bake fresh in the morning. The cinnamon swirl and crumb topping are best added right before baking for the best texture.
Final Thoughts
There is something truly comforting and joyful about homemade Cinnamon Coffee Cake Muffins Recipe, and once you taste these, you’ll understand why I’m so excited to share them with you. Whether for a weekend breakfast, a snack with your afternoon coffee, or an anytime treat, this recipe brings warmth and happiness in every bite. So, grab your ingredients, and get ready to bake a batch that might just become your new favorite go-to muffin!
Print
Cinnamon Coffee Cake Muffins Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 muffins
- Category: Breakfast, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Cinnamon Coffee Cake Muffins combine a moist, tender crumb with a sweet cinnamon swirl and a crumbly topping, finished with a simple vanilla glaze. Perfect for breakfast or a cozy snack, they offer the classic flavors of coffee cake in a convenient muffin form.
Ingredients
Muffin Batter
- 1 ½ sticks butter (salted, melted)
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ cup sour cream (or a vegan sour cream)
- ½ cup milk (regular or plant-based, room temperature)
- 2 large eggs (whisked, room temperature)
- 1 Tbsp. vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups flour (all purpose or a gluten-free 1-to-1 blend)
- 1 Tbsp. baking powder
- ½ tsp. salt
Cinnamon Swirl
- â…“ cup packed brown sugar
- 1 ½ tsp. cinnamon (ground)
Crumb Topping
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- â…” cup flour (all purpose or a gluten-free 1-to-1 blend)
- 4 Tbsp. butter (melted)
- 2 tsp. cinnamon (ground)
Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 Tbsp. milk (regular or plant-based)
- ½ tsp. vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it reaches the right temperature for an initial quick bake.
- Whisk Together Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the melted butter, sugar, sour cream, milk, whisked eggs, and vanilla extract. Whisk thoroughly until smooth and well combined, making sure there are no clumps of sour cream left.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Add the flour, baking powder, and salt to the wet mixture. Stir gently until just combined; a few small lumps are acceptable and preferred to avoid overmixing.
- Prepare Cinnamon Swirl: In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar and ground cinnamon to create the cinnamon swirl mixture.
- Fill Muffin Tray: Line a 12-cup muffin tray with cupcake liners and spray each lightly with non-stick cooking spray. Fill each liner about one third to one half full with muffin batter. Sprinkle approximately 1 ½ teaspoons of the cinnamon swirl mixture evenly on top, then add more batter to nearly fill the liner. Smooth the tops, then use a toothpick to swirl the cinnamon mixture into the batter gently.
- Make Crumb Topping: In a medium bowl, mix together the crumb topping ingredients — brown sugar, flour, melted butter, and cinnamon — with a fork until a coarse crumb forms. Evenly sprinkle the crumb topping over each muffin, pressing lightly to help it adhere.
- Bake the Muffins: Place the muffin tray in the oven and bake at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes. Then, reduce the oven temperature to 375 degrees and continue baking for an additional 15 to 17 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Prepare Glaze and Finish: While the muffins cool to room temperature, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a small bowl to make the glaze. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled muffins before serving.
Notes
- For a vegan version, use vegan sour cream, plant-based milk, and egg substitutes.
- Using a gluten-free flour blend allows this recipe to be gluten-free.
- Make sure the milk and eggs are at room temperature for better mixing and texture.
- The initial high-temperature bake helps set the muffins and creates a better rise.
- Adjust the milk in the glaze to achieve your desired drizzle consistency.
- Store muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.
