Cinnamon Sugar Donut Muffins 🍩🧁
Texture: fluffy + tender center, crisp sugary coating
Flavor: buttery vanilla with warm cinnamon
Makes: 12 muffins
Ingredients
Muffins
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2 cups all-purpose flour
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1½ tsp baking powder
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½ tsp baking soda
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½ tsp salt
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½ tsp ground cinnamon
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¼ tsp nutmeg (optional but very donut-shop vibes)
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½ cup granulated sugar
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¼ cup brown sugar (packed)
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⅓ cup neutral oil or melted butter
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1 large egg (room temp)
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1 cup buttermilk
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or: 1 cup milk + 1 tbsp vinegar (let sit 5 min)
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1½ tsp vanilla extract
Cinnamon Sugar Coating
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½ cup granulated sugar
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1½ tsp ground cinnamon
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6 tbsp melted butter
Instructions (Step-by-Step)
1. Prep
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Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C)
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Grease a standard muffin tin generously (important for crisp edges)
2. Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together:
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Flour
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Baking powder
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Baking soda
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Salt
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Cinnamon
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Nutmeg
Set aside.
3. Mix Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk:
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Granulated sugar
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Brown sugar
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Oil (or butter)
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Egg
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Buttermilk
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Vanilla
Whisk until smooth and slightly creamy.
4. Combine
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Add dry ingredients to wet.
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Stir just until combined (do not overmix — batter should be thick but spoonable).
5. Fill Muffin Tin
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Fill each cup about ¾ full.
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Smooth tops lightly.
6. Bake
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Bake 15–18 minutes, until:
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Tops are lightly golden
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Toothpick comes out clean
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Cool muffins in pan for 5 minutes (not longer).
Cinnamon Sugar Finish (The Magic ✨)
7. Prepare Coating
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Melt butter in one bowl.
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Mix sugar + cinnamon in another.
8. Coat Muffins
While muffins are still warm:
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Brush or dip tops (and sides if possible) in melted butter.
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Roll generously in cinnamon sugar.
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For thicker crust, double dip: butter → sugar → butter → sugar.
Place on a rack or plate.
Pro Tips for Bakery-Style Results
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Warm muffins absorb butter better = thicker coating.
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Want crispier edges? Use metal muffin tin, not silicone.
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For extra donut flavor: add ¼ tsp almond extract with vanilla.
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These are best same day, but reheat 10 seconds in microwave to revive.
Optional Variations
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Apple Cinnamon: add ½ cup finely diced apple
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Pumpkin Spice: replace ¼ cup buttermilk with pumpkin purée
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Filled Version: core center and pipe in vanilla custard or jam 🤤
