Delicious Cinnamon Roll Muffins

This cinnamon roll muffin recipe transforms everyone's favorite breakfast pastry into an easy-to-make, portable treat. The swirls of cinnamon sugar create that classic cinnamon roll flavor while the sweet glaze on top gives you the complete experience without all the work of traditional yeast rolls.

I created these muffins when my son begged for cinnamon rolls on a school morning. We were short on time but still wanted that special breakfast feeling. These have become our go-to for holiday mornings when we want something special but need to keep things manageable.

Ingredients

• All purpose flour: creates the perfect tender but sturdy structure for these muffins
• Granulated sugar: provides just the right sweetness in the base without overwhelming
• Baking powder: gives these their lift without needing yeast
• Milk: adds moisture and richness to the batter
• Unsalted butter: allows you to control the salt level and adds richness
• Egg: binds everything together for the perfect texture
• Vanilla extract: enhances all the flavors without being obvious
• Brown sugar: creates that caramelized cinnamon roll flavor in the swirl
• Ground cinnamon: is the star flavor. Make sure yours is fresh for best results
• Powdered sugar: creates a smooth glaze that sets beautifully

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare Your Space:

Preheat oven to 375°F and line your muffin tin with paper liners. Having everything ready before mixing ensures the baking powder will be at its most effective when the muffins hit the oven.

Mix Dry Ingredients:

Combine flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Whisking these together ensures even distribution of the leavening agents for consistent rise across all muffins.

Combine Wet Ingredients:

Whisk milk, melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract in a separate bowl until fully combined. The butter should be warm but not hot to avoid cooking the egg.

Create The Batter:

Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir just until combined. Overmixing will develop gluten and create tough muffins, so stop as soon as no dry spots remain.

Make Cinnamon Filling:

Mix brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. This creates that classic gooey cinnamon roll filling that will swirl throughout your muffins.

Layer And Swirl:

Fill each muffin cup halfway with batter, add cinnamon sugar, then top with remaining batter. Use a toothpick to create beautiful swirls by dragging it through the batter in a figure eight pattern.

Bake To Perfection:

Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. The muffins should be golden brown on top and smell amazing.

Glaze While Warm:

Mix powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla to create a pourable glaze. Drizzle over slightly warm muffins for that authentic cinnamon roll finishing touch.

The cinnamon sugar mixture is what makes these truly special. I discovered that allowing some of it to rest on top of the muffins rather than fully incorporating it creates little pockets of gooey goodness similar to the center of a traditional cinnamon roll. My daughter always reaches for the muffin with the most visible cinnamon swirl.

Make Ahead Options

These muffins freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. Simply cool completely, wrap individually in plastic wrap, and store in a freezer bag. Thaw overnight at room temperature or microwave for 20 seconds when you need a quick breakfast. I often make a double batch specifically to freeze for busy mornings.

Flavor Variations

Try adding 1/2 cup of finely chopped apples to the batter for apple cinnamon roll muffins. The fruit adds moisture and complements the cinnamon perfectly. Alternatively, adding 1/2 teaspoon of cardamom to the cinnamon sugar mixture creates a Swedish-inspired flavor profile that's wonderfully complex. For chocolate lovers, mini chocolate chips sprinkled with the cinnamon layer create an indulgent twist.

Serving Suggestions

While these muffins are perfect on their own, serving them slightly warm with a spread of cream cheese takes them to the next level. For brunch gatherings, create a muffin board with these cinnamon roll muffins alongside fresh fruit, yogurt, and a variety of spreads. They also pair wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee or cold glass of milk for dipping.

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Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?

Yes, but whole wheat flour may result in denser muffins. Consider using half all-purpose and half whole wheat for a balanced texture.

→ How can I make the muffins more moist?

Add an extra tablespoon of milk or a dollop of sour cream for added moisture in the batter.

→ What can I use instead of brown sugar for the filling?

You can substitute coconut sugar or granulated sugar with a teaspoon of molasses for a similar flavor profile.

→ Can these muffins be frozen?

Yes, you can freeze them without the glaze. Thaw at room temperature and drizzle with fresh glaze before serving.

→ How do I avoid overmixing the batter?

Stir the wet and dry ingredients together just until combined. Overmixing can lead to dense muffins.