How to Create Buttery Cinnamon Sugar Donut Muffins: A Delightful Treat
If you’re looking for a sweet, buttery snack that will make your kitchen smell heavenly, donut muffins are the answer. These delightful treats combine the fluffiness of muffins with the irresistible flavors of cinnamon sugar donuts. The best part? You don’t need any fancy equipment or advanced baking skills to whip them up! This easy recipe is perfect for beginners and will leave everyone craving just one more bite. Let’s get started!
What Are Donut Muffins?
Donut muffins are the perfect marriage of two favorite sweets: donuts and muffins. Unlike traditional donuts, they don’t require frying or kneading dough. Instead, they’re baked just like regular muffins but coated in melted butter and a sugary cinnamon mix to mimic that classic donut taste. These are a great choice for breakfast, dessert, or whenever you want a comforting homemade treat.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the muffins:
– 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour
– ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
– 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
– ¼ teaspoon baking soda
– ¼ teaspoon salt
– ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional, for a donut-like flavor)
– ½ cup (120ml) milk
– ⅓ cup (75g) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
– 1 large egg
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the topping:
– ⅓ cup (75g) unsalted butter, melted
– ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
– 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Step-by-Step Process
Step 1: Prepare Your Tools and Oven
Before you start, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures the muffins bake evenly. Line a muffin tin with paper liners or spray it with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and nutmeg. Nutmeg adds a subtle, warm flavor that reminds you of classic donuts, but you can skip it if you prefer.
Step 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients
In another bowl, whisk together the milk, melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract. Make sure the melted butter has cooled slightly so it doesn’t cook the egg when added.
Step 4: Make the Batter
Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and gently mix until combined. Avoid overmixing, as this can make your muffins dense instead of light and airy. The batter will be thick – that’s completely normal!
Step 5: Fill the Muffin Tin
Scoop the batter into your prepared muffin cups, filling them about ¾ full. This allows them to rise beautifully without spilling over the edges.
Step 6: Bake
Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the tops are golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. While they bake, get the cinnamon sugar topping ready.
Step 7: Make the Cinnamon Sugar Topping
In one bowl, melt the butter for the topping. In another bowl, mix together the sugar and cinnamon. These two simple ingredients are about to take your muffins to the next level!
Step 8: Coat the Muffins
Once the muffins are out of the oven, let them cool for a few minutes. Remove them from the tin and dip the tops or entire muffins (if you’re feeling adventurous) into the melted butter, then roll them in the cinnamon sugar mixture. Don’t worry about being too precise – the more coating, the better!
Tips for Success
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Don’t Skip Preheating
Preheating the oven ensures even baking, so your muffins cook properly and rise well. -
Use Quality Ingredients
Since butter plays a big role in this recipe, using unsalted butter of good quality will make a noticeable difference in flavor. -
Customize the Cinnamon Sugar
Feel free to adjust the proportions for the topping. If you prefer a stronger cinnamon flavor, add more cinnamon, or if you’d like sweeter muffins, sprinkle on more sugar! -
Storage Instructions
Once cooled, store the muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. You can also freeze them for longer storage—just defrost and warm them slightly before serving.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These donut muffins are the perfect blend of textures and flavors. The inside is soft and fluffy, while the outside has a slightly crisp coating from the cinnamon sugar layer. The buttery richness and warm cinnamon spice make them utterly irresistible. Plus, they’re quick to make and far less messy than frying donuts.
Whether you’re serving them as a weekend breakfast treat, bringing them to a potluck, or just satisfying your own sweet cravings, these donut muffins are sure to be a hit. With simple ingredients and easy steps, they’re perfect for beginner bakers or a fun family activity.
So next time you want a comforting homemade snack, try making buttery cinnamon sugar donut muffins. You won’t regret it!
Happy baking! Let us know how your muffins turned out in the comments below.
