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