🍩 Cinnamon Sugar Donut Muffins

Soft, fluffy, buttery, and coated in a generous layer of cinnamon sugar, these Cinnamon Sugar Donut Muffins taste just like a fresh bakery donut—but they’re much easier to make at home! Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon treat. ❤️

🛒 Ingredients

For the Muffins

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 large egg
• ¾ cup whole milk
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating

• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Preheat the oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 12-cup muffin pan or lightly spray it with nonstick cooking spray.

2. Mix the dry ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.

3. Mix the wet ingredients
In another bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth.

4. Combine
Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir gently just until combined. Do not overmix—a few small lumps are perfectly fine.

5. Fill the muffin pan
Divide the batter evenly among the 12 muffin cups, filling each about ¾ full.

6. Bake
Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until the tops are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

7. Prepare the coating
While the muffins are baking, combine the granulated sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl.

8. Coat the muffins
Allow the muffins to cool for about 5 minutes. While they’re still warm, brush each muffin generously with melted butter.

Immediately roll each muffin in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until completely coated.

✨ Best Tips

• Don’t overmix the batter. This keeps the muffins light and tender.
• Use room-temperature milk and eggs for a smoother batter.
• Coat the muffins while they’re still warm so the butter and cinnamon sugar stick beautifully.
• For an extra bakery-style finish, give them a second light coating of cinnamon sugar.

🍎 Optional Variations

Apple Cinnamon: Fold ½ cup finely diced apple into the batter.

Churro Style: Add an extra ½ teaspoon cinnamon to the coating.

Vanilla Glaze: Mix ½ cup powdered sugar with 1–2 tablespoons milk and ½ teaspoon vanilla, then drizzle over the cooled muffins.

Nutty: Add ¼ cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts to the batter.

🫙 Storage

Store cooled muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for 2–3 days. For longer storage, freeze them for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature and warm briefly before serving.

🍽️ Serving Suggestion

Serve these warm with coffee, hot chocolate, or tea. They’re especially delicious when the outside is slightly crisp from the cinnamon sugar while the inside remains soft and fluffy.