cinnamon sugar donut muffins

Introduction:

These Cinnamon Sugar Donut Muffins are the best of both worlds—soft and fluffy like muffins, but with that classic cinnamon sugar coating reminiscent of a warm cake donut.

They’re quick to make, incredibly comforting, and smell like a bakery right out of the oven. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as a sweet snack alongside your favorite cup of coffee or tea.

Ingredients (makes 10–12 muffins):

For the muffins:

1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour

1 ½ tsp baking powder

½ tsp baking soda

½ tsp salt

½ tsp ground nutmeg

¼ tsp ground cinnamon

½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted

½ cup granulated sugar

¼ cup brown sugar

2 large eggs

¾ cup whole milk

1 tsp vanilla extract

For the cinnamon sugar topping:

½ cup granulated sugar

1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon

¼ cup unsalted butter, melted

Instructions:

Preheat and prep:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a muffin pan or line with paper liners.

Mix the dry ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon.

Mix the wet ingredients:
In another large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, milk, and vanilla until smooth.

Combine:
Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture just until combined. Do not overmix.

Bake:
Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups, filling each about ¾ full. Bake for 15–18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Cool slightly:
Let the muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack.

Coat in cinnamon sugar:
Mix the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Brush each warm muffin top with melted butter, then dip or roll in the cinnamon sugar mixture until well coated.

Of course! Here are the perfect storage and serving suggestions to keep your Cinnamon Sugar Donut Muffins tasting fresh and delicious.

Storage Instructions

Best Served Fresh: These muffins are absolutely at their best the day they are made, when the cinnamon sugar coating is still slightly crisp and the interior is ultra-tender.

Short-Term (Room Temperature):

Once the muffins are completely cool to the touch, store them in an airtight container.

Place a piece of paper towel at the bottom of the container to absorb any excess moisture and keep the bottoms from getting soft.

They will stay fresh at room temperature for up to 2 days.

Long-Term (Freezing):

Freeze Before Coating (Recommended): The best way to freeze them is to bake the muffins without the cinnamon sugar topping.

Let them cool completely, then wrap each one individually in plastic wrap and place them in a large freezer-safe bag or container. They will keep for up to 3 months.

Freeze After Coating: You can also freeze them after they’ve been coated. The coating may become less crisp upon thawing, but they will still be tasty.

Flash-freeze them on a baking sheet first for 1 hour, then transfer to a freezer bag to prevent them from sticking together.

Thawing: Thaw frozen muffins (wrapped) at room temperature for a few hours. If you froze them plain, brush with melted butter, roll in cinnamon sugar, and serve.

Serving Suggestions

The Classic:

Serve slightly warm or at room temperature with a hot cup of coffee, black tea, or a glass of cold milk. The combination is timeless.

For a Special Brunch or Dessert:

Dessert Dip: Create a simple dipping sauce by mixing together mascarpone or cream cheese with a little powdered sugar and vanilla extract.

À La Mode: For a decadent dessert, split a warm muffin in half and place a scoop of vanilla ice cream or cinnamon ice cream in the middle.

With Fruit: Serve alongside a bowl of fresh berries like strawberries or raspberries. The tartness of the fruit cuts through the sweetness beautifully.

Gifting:

These muffins make a wonderful gift! Place them in a cardboard bakery box, a cute basket lined with a napkin, or a cellophane bag tied with a ribbon. They are perfect for holidays, new neighbors, or a teacher’s appreciation gift.

Conclusion:
These Cinnamon Sugar Donut Muffins are a nostalgic treat that’s soft inside, slightly crisp on the outside, and packed with warm spice.

They make mornings a little more magical and are sure to disappear fast from the table. Serve them warm and watch everyone reach for seconds! Would you like this recipe turned into a Facebook-optimized post or translated into Arabic as well?