Heavenly Sweet Cinnamon Sugar Swirl Muffins Recipe for Breakfast

Warm, fluffy muffins with a delightful cinnamon sugar swirl recipe dance between comfort and indulgence.

These delectable treats promise to fill your kitchen with an irresistible aroma.

Soft, tender crumb meets a golden-brown exterior sprinkled with sweet, caramelized cinnamon sugar.

Each bite offers a perfect balance of warmth and sweetness that makes mornings brighter.

The simple ingredients come together effortlessly to create a bakery-style breakfast you can easily make at home.

Weekend brunch or weekday breakfast, these muffins will become your new favorite morning companion.

Prepare to fall in love with every delicious, crumbly bite.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 210 kcal

Servings: 12

Ingredients for Cinnamon Sugar Swirl Muffins

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and foundation for tender, soft muffins with a delicate crumb.
• Baking Powder: Creates light and airy texture by helping muffins rise evenly and consistently.
• Baking Soda: Neutralizes acidic ingredients and helps muffins achieve golden-brown color.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness in the muffin batter.

• Unsalted Butter: Ensures rich, smooth flavor and contributes to muffins' tender texture when softened.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens muffins and helps create soft, moist crumb with delightful caramelization.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and provide structure, richness, and moisture to the muffins.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds complex, deep flavor and aromatic warmth to the entire baked treat.
• Buttermilk: Creates tender crumb, adds subtle tanginess, and activates leavening agents for better rise.

• Granulated Sugar, Ground Cinnamon: Delivers sweet, warm, aromatic layers that create delightful swirled pattern and irresistible flavor throughout muffins.

Tools to Bake Cinnamon Sugar Swirl Muffins

• Muffin Tin: 12-cup standard size, essential for perfect muffin shapes.
• Mixing Bowls: One medium and one large for dry and wet ingredients.
• Electric Mixer or Whisk: Crucial for beating butter, sugar, and creating smooth batter.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise measurements guarantee delicious results.
• Toothpick: Helps check muffin doneness by testing center.
• Wire Cooling Rack: Allows muffins to cool evenly without getting soggy.
• Spatula: Helps mix ingredients and scrape batter into muffin tin.

How to Make Cinnamon Sugar Swirl Muffins Fluffy

• Fire Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 375F and grab your muffin tin. Prep it with liners or give it a quick spray of cooking oil to prevent sticking.

• Whip Together Dry Ingredients

Grab a mixing bowl and toss in your flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Give them a quick whirl with a whisk to blend smoothly.

• Create Creamy Base

In another bowl, beat butter and sugar until they transform into a fluffy cloud. Drop in eggs one by one, mixing after each. Splash in vanilla for extra.

• Merge Mixtures

Slowly fold dry ingredients into the creamy mixture, alternating with buttermilk. Stir gently – you want the batter smooth but not overworked.

• Sprinkle Cinnamon

Mix sugar and cinnamon in a small dish. This is your secret weapon for flavor burst.

• Build Delicious Layers

Fill muffin cups halfway with batter. Dust a sprinkle of cinnamon-sugar mixture. Top with more batter until cups are nearly full. Finish with another generous cinnamon-sugar shower.

• Bake to Perfection

Slide muffins into the oven for 18-22 minutes. They’re done when a toothpick comes out clean. Let them rest briefly in the pan, then transfer to a cooling rack.

Flavor Tips for Cinnamon Sugar Swirl Muffins

• Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mix to keep muffins tender and prevent tough, dense results.
• Prepare batter night before and refrigerate, allowing flavors to develop and saving morning prep time.
• Replace all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend and add 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum for similar texture and structure.
• Substitute buttermilk with almond milk mixed with apple cider vinegar, and use coconut oil instead of butter for a plant-based version.
• Sprinkle chopped nuts or add fresh blueberries to batter for extra texture and unexpected taste dimension.

How to Serve Cinnamon Swirl Muffins Warm

• Breakfast Bliss: Pair these warm cinnamon sugar muffins with a steaming cup of coffee or chai tea for a delightful morning treat.
• Morning Meal Companion: Serve alongside scrambled eggs and fresh fruit for a balanced and satisfying breakfast that'll keep you energized.
• Afternoon Pick-Me-Up: Enjoy these muffins as a sweet snack with a cold glass of milk or a creamy latte during your midday break.
• Dessert Transformation: Elevate the muffins by topping with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a decadent dessert experience.

How to Store Cinnamon Sugar Muffins for Later

• Store muffins in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 4 days, maintaining their soft texture and preventing moisture loss.
• Wrap individual muffins tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags to keep fresh for 2-3 months, ensuring no freezer burn or flavor absorption.
• Keep muffins at cool room temperature for 1-2 days in a sealed container, away from direct sunlight and heat sources to prevent staleness.
• Warm refrigerated or frozen muffins in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or in a preheated oven at 350F for 5-7 minutes, restoring their original warmth and softness.

FAQs

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

Yes, you can substitute whole wheat flour, but the texture might be slightly denser. For best results, use a mix of whole wheat and all-purpose flour to maintain a light muffin.

• What if I don't have buttermilk?

You can easily make a buttermilk substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to 1 cup of milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using.

• How can I prevent my muffins from sticking to the paper liners?

Lightly spray the paper liners with non-stick cooking spray before adding the batter. This will help the muffins release more easily when you’re ready to eat them.

• Can I make these muffins gluten-free?

Yes, replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend designed for baking. Add a teaspoon of xanthan gum to help bind the ingredients and improve texture.

Sweet Cinnamon Sugar Swirl Muffins Recipe

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4.7 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Homemade Cinnamon Sugar Swirl Muffins blend sweet nostalgia with comforting breakfast perfection. Warm spices and tender crumb promise a delightful morning treat you will savor with each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• ¾ cup (180 ml) buttermilk (or regular milk with 1 tsp vinegar)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 ¾ cups (220 g) all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
• ⅓ cup (67 g) granulated sugar (for cinnamon swirl)
• 2 tbsps (25 g) granulated sugar (for topping)
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 ½ tsps ground cinnamon (for cinnamon swirl)
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon (for topping)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Heat oven to 375F (190C) and line muffin tin with paper liners or grease thoroughly.
2. Dry Ingredients: Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a mixing bowl, whisking until uniformly blended.
3. Cream Base: Whip butter and sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy, creating a smooth foundation for the muffins.
4. Wet Integration: Add eggs one at a time, thoroughly mixing after each addition, then introduce vanilla extract for aromatic depth.
5. Batter Development: Alternately fold dry ingredients and buttermilk into the creamy mixture, maintaining a delicate texture without overmixing.
6. Cinnamon-Sugar Topping: Mix cinnamon and sugar in a separate small bowl to create a fragrant, sweet coating.
7. Initial Layer: Fill muffin cups halfway with batter, then sprinkle a layer of cinnamon-sugar mixture across the surface.
8. Final Assembly: Top each muffin cup with remaining batter, filling three-quarters full, and generously dust with additional cinnamon-sugar blend.
9. Baking Process: Bake in preheated oven for 18-22 minutes, confirming doneness with a clean inserted tester.
10. Cooling Stage: Rest muffins briefly in tin, then transfer to a cooling rack to set and develop optimal texture.

Notes

• Prevent Overmixing: Stir batter just until ingredients combine to maintain a soft, tender muffin texture without developing tough gluten strands.
• Control Cinnamon Sugar Layer: Sprinkle cinnamon-sugar mixture gently between batter layers for a more defined, swirled interior appearance and balanced flavor distribution.
• Check Moisture Levels: Use room temperature buttermilk and eggs to ensure smooth batter integration and consistent muffin moisture.
• Customize Dietary Needs: Substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free blend, use dairy-free milk alternatives, or replace butter with vegetable oil for different dietary requirements.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 227
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 120 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 31 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 49 mg