Cozy Cinnamon Roll Muffins with Sweet Swirls and Spice Recipe
Cozy Cinnamon Roll Muffins with Sweet Swirls and Spice combine the comforting flavors of classic cinnamon rolls with the convenience of muffins. These soft, tender treats feature a rich cinnamon swirl filling and an optional sweet glaze that makes them perfect for lazy mornings or anytime indulgence.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Total Time: 35-40 minutes
- Yield: 12 muffins 1x
- Category: Breakfast, Snack, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
For the Muffin Batter:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted (plus more for greasing the muffin tin)
- ¾ cup milk (whole milk or a milk alternative)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Cinnamon Swirl Filling:
- ⅓ cup packed brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
For the Glaze (Optional):
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tablespoons milk or cream
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 12-cup muffin tin with melted butter or line it with muffin liners to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of muffins.
- Make the Muffin Batter: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon until evenly combined. In a separate bowl, mix the melted butter, milk, eggs, and vanilla extract. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir with a spatula until just combined, being careful not to overmix; a few lumps are okay for tender muffins.
- Prepare the Cinnamon Swirl Filling: In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar and ground cinnamon. Add the softened butter and mix until smooth and spreadable, creating a flavorful swirl filling for the muffins.
- Assemble the Muffins: Divide half of the muffin batter evenly among the muffin cups, filling them about halfway. Spoon about a teaspoon of the cinnamon swirl filling onto the batter in each cup, gently swirling with a toothpick or knife if desired but keeping swirls simple for visual appeal. Top each muffin cup with the remaining batter until about ¾ full.
- Add More Swirl (Optional): If you have leftover cinnamon swirl filling, add a small dollop on top of each muffin and gently swirl it in for an attractive finish.
- Bake the Muffins: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the muffin tops are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let muffins cool in the pan for about 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make the Glaze (Optional): Whisk together powdered sugar, milk or cream, and vanilla extract in a small bowl until smooth. Drizzle the glaze evenly over the cooled muffins to add a sweet finishing touch.
Notes
- Do not overmix the batter to avoid dense muffins; mix just until ingredients are combined.
- Keep the cinnamon swirl simple to create beautiful, distinct swirls without overworking the batter.
- Check muffins towards the end of baking with a toothpick to ensure they are fully cooked.
- Store leftover muffins at room temperature in an airtight container for 2-3 days or refrigerate up to one week.
- Freeze muffins in an airtight container for up to 3 months and reheat before serving.
- For dairy-free versions, substitute milk with plant-based alternatives like almond or coconut milk, and replace butter with coconut oil.
- To make gluten-free muffins, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour.
Keywords: cinnamon roll muffins, cinnamon muffins, breakfast muffins, sweet muffins, cinnamon swirl, homemade muffins, cozy breakfast
