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