Cinnamon Roll Muffins Recipe
Cinnamon Roll Muffins are a magical mashup of everyone’s favorite gooey breakfast treat and a grab-and-go muffin—basically, your morning just found its new best friend! With a soft, buttery crumb, irresistible swirls of cinnamon sugar, and a simple vanilla glaze that melts into all the nooks, these muffins couldn’t be easier to whip up, yet they deliver all the cozy flavors you crave from a classic cinnamon roll. Whether you’re baking for a special brunch or just want to make a weekday feel a little more special, these muffins always get rave reviews and vanish fast.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Let’s celebrate the magic of simple ingredients! Each item here plays a key role in making Cinnamon Roll Muffins buttery, fluffy, and loaded with sweet cinnamon goodness. With these pantry staples, bakery-level treats are absolutely within reach.
- All-purpose flour: Gives the muffins structure and ensures a soft, tender crumb.
- Granulated sugar: Adds delicate sweetness to the batter for balance.
- Baking powder: Provides essential lift, making each muffin sky-high and light.
- Salt: Brightens all the flavors—never skip it, even in sweets!
- Milk: Adds moisture and helps everything come together smoothly.
- Unsalted butter (melted): Brings rich, buttery flavor throughout the muffin base.
- Large egg: Binds the ingredients while keeping the crumb tender.
- Pure vanilla extract: A must for warmth and classic bakery scent in every bite.
- Brown sugar (packed): The star of the cinnamon-sugar swirl, for a gooey, caramel touch.
- Ground cinnamon: Delivers that signature sweet-spicy aroma and flavor—don’t be shy!
- Unsalted butter (softened): Dots the tops for extra melt-in-your-mouth richness and baked-in swirls.
- Powdered sugar (optional, for glaze): Creates a sweet drizzle that completes the cinnamon roll effect.
- Milk (for glaze): Loosens the glaze to the perfect drizzling consistency.
- Vanilla extract (for glaze): Gives the glaze depth and extra flavor.
How to Make Cinnamon Roll Muffins
Step 1: Prep Your Muffin Tin and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C)—the secret to a perfect rise from the very beginning. Line a standard 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners, making cleanup a breeze. This little bit of prep means you can jump right into the fun part!
Step 2: Mix Your Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. This step is crucial for even ingredient distribution so every Cinnamon Roll Muffin is fluffy and flavorful from edge to center.
Step 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, mix the milk, melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract until the mixture looks smooth and uniform. This combo brings a rich, moist texture to the muffins that will have you sneaking tastes before the batter even hits the tins!
Step 4: Bring the Batter Together
Pour the wet ingredients over the dry and gently stir until just combined. Take care not to overmix—stop as soon as no streaks of flour remain. This keeps your Cinnamon Roll Muffins wonderfully soft and tender.
Step 5: Make That Classic Cinnamon Sugar Swirl
In a small bowl, stir together the brown sugar and ground cinnamon. This magical duo is the heart of every cinnamon roll, infusing each muffin with those signature ribbons of sweet spice.
Step 6: Layer and Swirl
Spoon a layer of batter into each muffin liner, about halfway full. Sprinkle half of the cinnamon-sugar mixture over the batter. Top with the remaining batter, then finish with the rest of the cinnamon-sugar blend. Grab a toothpick and gently swirl through each muffin—this creates gorgeous, streaky cinnamon swirls worthy of a bakery window!
Step 7: Add Buttery Dots and Bake
Dot the tops of the muffins with softened butter for that decadent, melt-in-your-mouth finish. Bake for 15–18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. Let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Step 8: Drizzle That Glaze (Optional but Highly Recommended!)
Once the Cinnamon Roll Muffins are cool, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Drizzle generously over the muffins for a glossy, sweet finish that truly makes these muffins unforgettable.
How to Serve Cinnamon Roll Muffins
Garnishes
A light drizzle of vanilla glaze is classic, but you can elevate the presentation with an extra sprinkle of cinnamon, a dusting of powdered sugar, or even a few chopped toasted nuts on top for crunch and flair. For special occasions, a touch of edible gold leaf or colorful sprinkles makes these muffins celebration-ready!
Side Dishes
Serve Cinnamon Roll Muffins alongside fresh seasonal fruit, creamy Greek yogurt, or fluffy scrambled eggs for a balanced breakfast spread. Pairing with a hot mug of coffee, cocoa, or chai really brings out the cinnamon flavors and turns breakfast into a cozy ritual.
Creative Ways to Present
Turn your muffins into a centerpiece by arranging them on a tiered cake stand for brunch, or wrap them in bakery-style parchment and twine for easy gifting. They also make a delightful picnic treat or an unexpected dessert when warmed and topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Allow any leftover Cinnamon Roll Muffins to cool completely, then store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They’ll stay moist and flavorful, thanks to the buttery batter and cinnamon-sugar layers, perfect for an on-the-go breakfast or sweet afternoon snack.
Freezing
To freeze, wrap each muffin tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe bag. Store for up to 2 months. For best results, wait to add the glaze until after thawing, so the muffins stay fresh and the glaze stays glossy.
Reheating
To enjoy that fresh-baked warmth, pop a muffin in the microwave for about 10–15 seconds or in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 5 minutes. If glazed, be sure to use short bursts in the microwave so the glaze melts slightly, creating that ooey-gooey cinnamon roll experience.
FAQs
Can I make Cinnamon Roll Muffins gluten-free?
Absolutely! Substitute your favorite cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour. Just check that your baking powder is also gluten-free, and prepare for delicious results.
Can I prep the batter ahead of time?
For the fluffiest muffins, it’s best to bake the batter right after mixing. However, you can prep the dry and wet ingredients separately a day ahead and keep them covered in the fridge—combine just before baking for perfect texture.
What can I add to the cinnamon sugar swirl?
Feel free to add ½ cup chopped pecans, walnuts, or even mini chocolate chips to the cinnamon-sugar layer for extra crunch or decadence. Dried fruit, like raisins or cranberries, also makes a lovely addition!
How do I make the muffins extra moist?
For an ultra-moist crumb, add ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt to the batter and reduce the milk a little. This trick makes every Cinnamon Roll Muffin even more tender and rich.
Can I skip the glaze?
Of course! The muffins are plenty flavorful on their own, thanks to the buttery cinnamon swirls. If you prefer a less sweet option, simply dust the tops with powdered sugar or enjoy them as-is.
Final Thoughts
If you love cinnamon rolls but crave something easy and shareable, give Cinnamon Roll Muffins a try. They bring all the delight of a homemade bakery treat—the kind that makes your kitchen smell like a dream—with almost no fuss. Grab your muffin tin and invite a little extra joy into your day!
Print
Cinnamon Roll Muffins Recipe
- Total Time: 33 minutes
- Yield: 12 muffins 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the deliciousness of these Cinnamon Roll Muffins that are perfect for breakfast or as a sweet treat. These muffins capture the essence of cinnamon rolls in a convenient, handheld form.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup milk
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Cinnamon-Sugar Filling:
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
Optional Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
- Prepare the Batter: In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, mix the wet ingredients, then combine the wet and dry mixtures. Fill each muffin cup with batter, layering with cinnamon-sugar mixture.
- Bake: Bake for 15–18 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool before glazing if desired.
Notes
- For extra richness, add ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt to the batter.
- You can also fold in chopped pecans or walnuts with the cinnamon-sugar layer.
- Best enjoyed warm.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 muffin
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 16 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
