Fluffy Cinnamon Sugar Swirl Muffins Recipe for Cozy Mornings

Sweet cinnamon sugar swirl muffins whisper comfort and warmth from your kitchen.

These delectable treats promise a delightful morning surprise.

Soft, pillowy textures contrast with rich, spicy notes dancing through each bite.

Bakery-style magic emerges without complicated techniques or professional skills.

Fragrant spices weave through tender crumb, creating irresistible layers of flavor.

Pantry staples become extraordinary with a simple mixing technique.

You’ll want to savor every crumbly, sugary morsel of these homemade delights.

Bake these muffins and watch smiles bloom around your table.

Why Cinnamon Sugar Swirl Muffins Hit the Sweet Spot

• Perfect morning treat that takes less than 30 minutes from start to finish, making it ideal for busy households rushing to start their day.
• Simple step-by-step instructions guarantee foolproof results even for novice bakers, with minimal technical skills required to create deliciously moist muffins.
• Adaptable recipe works great for weekend brunches, school lunches, after-school snacks, or casual gatherings, appealing to both kids and adults with its sweet cinnamon flavor.
• Requires basic kitchen ingredients most home cooks already have on hand, eliminating the need for special shopping trips or expensive components.

What You’ll Need for Cinnamon Swirl Muffins

• All-Purpose Flour: The main structure of the muffins, providing a tender and soft base.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Essential leavening agents that help the muffins rise and become fluffy.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness.

• Butter: Adds richness and moisture to the muffins, creating a tender crumb.
• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps to create a light texture.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add structure to the muffins.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, classic flavor that complements the cinnamon.
• Buttermilk: Contributes to a moist texture and adds a slight tanginess.

• Sugar, Cinnamon: Creates a sweet and aromatic swirl throughout the muffins, adding extra flavor and texture.

How to Bake Muffins with That Cozy Cinnamon Twist

Step 1: Fire Up the Oven

Crank the oven to 375F (190C). Grab a 12-cup muffin tin and line it with paper liners or give it a generous spray of cooking oil.

Step 2: Create the Dry Foundation

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt

Set this magical mixture aside.

Step 3: Craft the Wet Mixture

In a large bowl, beat softened butter and sugar until they transform into a light, fluffy cloud. Crack in eggs one by one, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Splash in vanilla extract for an extra flavor punch.

Step 4: Marry the Mixtures

Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Splash in buttermilk between dry ingredient additions. Mix until everything just comes together- don’t go overboard with mixing!

Step 5: Sprinkle the Cinnamon Magic

In a small bowl, combine sugar and ground cinnamon for the swirl that’ll make taste buds dance.

Step 6: Build Your Muffin Masterpiece

Fill each muffin cup halfway with batter. Dust a generous sprinkle of cinnamon-sugar mixture over the first layer. Top with more batter until cups are about 3/4 full. Crown each muffin with the remaining cinnamon-sugar mixture.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Send the muffins into the oven for 18-22 minutes. They’re done when a toothpick comes out clean. Let them rest in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips to Nail the Swirl in Every Muffin

• Boost Buttermilk Freshness: Use fresh buttermilk or create a quick substitute by mixing milk with lemon juice or vinegar for optimal muffin texture and tangy flavor.
• Prevent Overmixing Mishaps: Stir batter gently until ingredients are just combined to maintain tender, light muffin crumb and avoid tough, dense results.
• Customize Cinnamon Swirl: Experiment with additional spices like nutmeg or cardamom in the cinnamon-sugar mixture for a personalized flavor twist.
• Ensure Even Baking: Use an ice cream scoop for consistent batter portioning and uniform muffin sizes, promoting even browning and cooking.
• Storage Success: Store cooled muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days, or freeze for up to a month to preserve freshness and taste.

How to Store and Warm Up Cinnamon Muffins

• Store muffins in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days to maintain freshness and prevent spoilage.
• Wrap each muffin individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months for long-term storage.
• Warm muffins in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or in a preheated 350F oven for 5-7 minutes until heated through.
• Remove muffins from the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes, or microwave on defrost setting for 1-2 minutes.

What Goes Great with These Swirled Muffins

• Pair these moist cinnamon muffins with a steaming cup of chai tea, letting its spicy notes complement the sweet cinnamon swirl.
• Serve alongside a cold glass of whole milk, creating a classic breakfast combination that enhances the muffins' rich, tender texture.
• Enjoy with a freshly brewed medium roast coffee, whose robust flavor balances the sweetness and provides a perfect morning wake-up call.
• Top with a dollop of whipped honey butter or apple butter to elevate the muffins' warmth and add an extra layer of indulgent flavor.

Flavor Ideas to Customize Cinnamon Muffins

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace all-purpose flour with a blend of almond flour and gluten-free baking mix for a celiac-friendly alternative.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Swap buttermilk with unsweetened almond milk and use coconut oil instead of butter to create a lactose-free option.
• Low-Sugar Alternative: Substitute regular sugar with stevia or monk fruit sweetener and reduce the amount of cinnamon-sugar topping for a diabetic-friendly muffin.
• Vegan Modification: Use flax eggs instead of regular eggs, plant-based milk, and coconut oil to transform the recipe into a completely plant-based treat.

Cinnamon Sugar Swirl Muffins Recipe

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4.9 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Delectable cinnamon sugar swirl muffins promise a delightful morning indulgence with their irresistible blend of warm spices and sweet notes. Perfectly balanced and simple to prepare, these muffins invite home bakers to savor a comforting breakfast treat that delights the senses.

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Ingredients

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Dry Ingredients:

• 1 ¾ cups (220 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt

Sugars and Sweeteners:

• ¾ cup (150 grams) granulated sugar
• ⅓ cup (67 grams) granulated sugar (for cinnamon swirl)
• 2 tablespoons (25 grams) granulated sugar (for topping)

Wet Ingredients and Others:

• ½ cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¾ cup (180 milliliters) buttermilk (or regular milk with 1 teaspoon vinegar)

Spices:

• 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon (for cinnamon swirl)
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (for topping)

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Instructions

1. Warm the kitchen oven to a crisp 375F (190C), preparing a muffin tin with protective paper liners or a generous coating of grease.
2. Craft the foundational powder mixture by whisking flour, leavening agents, and salt together in a medium vessel, then set aside with precision.
3. Transform butter and sugar into a cloud-like, aerated blend using an electric mixer, creating a smooth, pale landscape of sweetness.
4. Incorporate eggs individually, allowing each to harmonize completely with the butter mixture before introducing vanilla’s aromatic essence.
5. Gently fold dry ingredients into the creamy base, alternating with buttermilk’s tangy liquid, blending carefully to maintain a tender crumb without overmixing.
6. Construct a fragrant cinnamon-sugar dust by combining the two ingredients in a small receptacle, creating a spicy-sweet topping.
7. Distribute initial batter layer into muffin cavities, reaching halfway up each cup, then cascade a delicate sprinkle of cinnamon-sugar mixture across the surface.
8. Complete each muffin vessel with remaining batter, filling approximately three-quarters full, and crown with another generous dusting of the spiced sugar blend.
9. Slide the tray into the preheated oven, allowing the muffins to transform for 18-22 minutes until a slender tester emerges pristine.
10. Allow muffins to rest briefly in their tin, then transition to a cooling rack, permitting them to settle and develop their final delicate texture.

Notes

• Prevent Tough Muffins by Mixing Minimally: Stop stirring as soon as the dry and wet ingredients combine to maintain a tender, soft texture. Overmixing develops gluten, resulting in dense, chewy muffins.
• Customize Flavor Variations: Enhance the muffins by adding chopped nuts, dried fruits, or chocolate chips to the batter for extra richness and complexity.
• Control Moisture with Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure butter, eggs, and buttermilk are at room temperature to create a smooth, evenly mixed batter that bakes more consistently.
• Make Them Gluten-Free: Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend and add 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum to maintain the muffins’ structure and prevent crumbling.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 160 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 31 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg