These irresistible cinnamon sugar donut muffins deliver all the flavor and satisfaction of fresh bakery donuts in an easy-to-make muffin form. Each tender, cake-like muffin gets dipped in melted butter and rolled in aromatic cinnamon sugar, creating that signature donut shop taste and texture you crave. Ready in just 30 minutes, these donut muffins prove you don’t need a deep fryer or special equipment to enjoy homemade donuts any day of the week.
Recipe Details
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 18 mins
Total Time: 33 mins
Servings: 12 muffins
Difficulty: Easy
Table of Contents
Ingredients
For the Muffins:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 cup whole milk, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating:
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Prepare your oven and pan. Preheat oven to 375°F. Generously grease a 12-cup standard muffin tin with butter or cooking spray, making sure to coat the tops of the pan as well to prevent sticking.
- Mix the dry ingredients. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg until evenly combined. Create a well in the center of the mixture.
- Combine wet ingredients. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together melted butter, egg, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and well blended.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients carefully. Pour the wet ingredients into the well of dry ingredients. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the mixture together until just combined. Don’t overmix – the batter should look slightly lumpy with a few dry streaks remaining.
- Fill the muffin cups. Divide batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups, filling each about ¾ full. Use an ice cream scoop or large spoon for even distribution.
- Bake until golden. Bake for 16-18 minutes, until the tops are golden brown and spring back lightly when touched. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
- Prepare the coating mixture. While muffins bake, melt 6 tablespoons butter in a shallow bowl. In another shallow bowl, whisk together sugar, cinnamon, and salt for the coating.
- Cool briefly before coating. Let muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack. They should be warm but cool enough to handle safely.
- Dip in butter first. Working with one muffin at a time, dip the top and sides into melted butter, allowing excess to drip off. Make sure to coat the entire surface for even sugar adhesion.
- Roll in cinnamon sugar. Immediately roll the butter-coated muffin in the cinnamon sugar mixture, turning to coat all sides evenly. The sugar should stick well to the buttered surface.
- Coat remaining muffins. Repeat the dipping and rolling process with all remaining cinnamon sugar donut muffins, working quickly while they’re still warm for the best coating adhesion.
- Serve warm for best experience. These are absolutely divine when served warm, within 2-3 hours of baking. The coating will be at its most appealing and the texture perfectly tender.
Tips for Success
Don’t overmix the batter. Overmixing develops the gluten in flour, resulting in tough, dense muffins instead of the tender, cake-like texture that makes these taste like donuts.
Use room temperature ingredients. Cold milk and eggs can cause the melted butter to solidify in clumps, creating an uneven batter. Let ingredients sit out for 30-60 minutes before baking.
Work quickly with the coating. The butter and cinnamon sugar adhere best when the muffins are still warm. If they cool too much, briefly warm the butter or place muffins in a 200°F oven for 2-3 minutes.
Check doneness carefully. These muffins can go from perfectly baked to dry quickly. Start checking at 16 minutes and look for golden tops that spring back when lightly pressed.
Recipe Variations
Chocolate chip version. Fold ½ cup mini chocolate chips into the batter just before baking. The chips will stay evenly distributed and add bursts of chocolate flavor.
Apple cinnamon twist. Add ½ cup finely diced apple and an extra ½ teaspoon cinnamon to the batter. Increase baking time by 2-3 minutes if needed for the extra moisture.
Glazed donut style. Skip the cinnamon sugar coating and instead dip cooled muffins in a simple glaze made from 1 cup powdered sugar mixed with 3-4 tablespoons milk and ½ teaspoon vanilla.
Mini muffin option. Use a 24-cup mini muffin tin and reduce baking time to 10-12 minutes. Perfect for parties or portion control, yielding bite-sized treats.
Storage Instructions
Best served fresh. Cinnamon sugar donut muffins are at their absolute peak when served warm and fresh from the oven, ideally within 4-6 hours of baking.
Room temperature storage. Store cooled muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. The coating may soften slightly but they remain delicious.
Refresh before serving. Day-old muffins can be refreshed by warming in a 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes, then re-rolling in fresh cinnamon sugar if desired.
Freezing instructions. Freeze uncoated baked muffins for up to 2 months. Thaw completely, warm slightly, then dip and coat as directed for fresh-tasting results.
Nutritional Highlights
These cinnamon sugar donut muffins provide the comfort and satisfaction of traditional donuts with less oil since they’re baked rather than fried. Each muffin delivers carbohydrates for energy and the warming spices offer antioxidant benefits. While definitely an indulgent treat, the individual portion size helps with moderation.
The whole milk and butter contribute calcium and vitamin A, while the cinnamon provides natural antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that have been valued for centuries.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these warm cinnamon sugar donut muffins alongside freshly brewed coffee or cold milk for the ultimate comfort food experience. They’re perfect for weekend breakfast, brunch gatherings, or afternoon snacks with tea.
For special occasions, arrange them on a tiered stand or rustic wooden board for an inviting presentation. Consider offering small bowls of additional cinnamon sugar for those who want extra coating.
These muffins also make wonderful gifts when placed in decorative boxes or baskets. Include reheating instructions so recipients can enjoy them at their best. For bake sales or potlucks, they’re always crowd-pleasers that disappear quickly.
Pack them in lunch boxes for a special treat, or serve them as a cozy dessert after simple dinners. The familiar flavors appeal to all ages, making them ideal for family gatherings.
The magic of cinnamon sugar donut muffins lies in their ability to transform your kitchen into a bakery and fill your home with the most inviting aromas. Don’t be surprised if the scent alone draws family and friends to the kitchen before they’ve even cooled. These muffins prove that some of life’s greatest pleasures come from simple ingredients combined with just a little bit of love and the perfect technique.
