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- 2 cups all-purpose flour - 1 tablespoon baking powder - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1/2 cup granulated sugar - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon For the dry ingredients, start with all-purpose flour. This gives structure to your muffins. Next, add baking powder to help them rise. A little salt balances the sweetness. Granulated sugar adds sweetness, while ground cinnamon gives that warm, cozy flavor. - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted - 1 cup milk - 1 large egg - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract For wet ingredients, melt unsalted butter. This creates a rich taste. Combine it with milk for moisture. Add one large egg for binding. Lastly, stir in vanilla extract for a sweet aroma. - 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed - 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon (for filling) - 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional) The filling brings all the fun. Use packed brown sugar for a caramel-like taste. Mix in ground cinnamon for warmth. Chopped pecans or walnuts add crunch, but they are optional. - 1 cup powdered sugar - 2-3 tablespoons milk Icing gives the muffins a sweet finish. Mix powdered sugar with milk for a smooth drizzling consistency. Adjust milk until you reach your desired thickness. With these ingredients, you are ready to create warm, delicious cinnamon roll muffins! {{ingredient_image_2}} First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This step warms up the oven so your muffins bake evenly. Next, prepare your muffin tin. You can line it with paper liners or grease each cup well. This helps your muffins release easily once they are baked. In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients. Combine 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon of baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 cup of granulated sugar, and 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Whisking these ingredients well ensures an even flavor throughout your muffins. In another bowl, blend your wet ingredients. Mix 1/2 cup of melted unsalted butter, 1 cup of milk, 1 large egg, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Whisk these together until smooth. This mixture adds moisture and richness to the muffins. Now, pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Gently fold them together using a spatula. Mix just until combined; it’s okay if some lumps remain. Overmixing can make the muffins tough, so be gentle. In a small bowl, prepare the filling. Combine 1/2 cup of packed brown sugar, 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon, and 1/4 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts (if you like). Mix these together until well combined. This filling adds a sweet, spicy layer to your muffins. Scoop the batter into each muffin cup, filling them halfway. Then, sprinkle a spoonful of your filling over the batter in each cup. After that, add more batter until each cup is about 3/4 full. This layering creates delicious swirls. Place the muffin tin in your preheated oven. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes. To check for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of a muffin. It should come out clean. While the muffins bake, prepare your icing. Mix 1 cup of powdered sugar with 2 to 3 tablespoons of milk until smooth. Adjust the milk for your desired thickness. Once the muffins cool for about 5 minutes, drizzle the icing over the tops. Enjoy your warm, cozy cinnamon roll muffins! To make the best cinnamon roll muffins, pay attention to texture. - Avoiding overmixing: When you mix the wet and dry ingredients, stir gently. Overmixing makes muffins tough. It’s okay to have lumps. Just fold everything together until you see no dry flour. - Choosing the right butter: Use unsalted butter for this recipe. Melt it first, then let it cool slightly. This helps keep the muffins moist and adds rich flavor. You can boost the flavor of your muffins in simple ways. - Suggestions for additional spices: Try adding a pinch of nutmeg or ginger. These spices pair well with cinnamon and add depth. - Ideas for nut variations: Pecans and walnuts work well, but you can also try almonds or hazelnuts. Chop them finely before adding to the filling for a nice crunch. Presentation matters when serving these muffins. - Presentation tips: Place the muffins on a decorative platter. This makes them more inviting. Sprinkle a little cinnamon on top for a finishing touch. Add a few nut pieces for a lovely look. A drizzle of icing adds a sweet touch and draws the eye. Pro Tips Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure that your milk, butter, and egg are at room temperature for a smoother batter and better rise. Don't Overmix: Gently fold the wet and dry ingredients together until just combined to keep the muffins light and fluffy. Swirl Carefully: When creating the marbled effect, use a toothpick or small knife to gently swirl the filling into the batter without fully mixing it in. Adjust Icing Consistency: When preparing the icing, start with less milk and gradually add more until you reach your desired drizzling consistency. {{image_4}} You can easily change up cinnamon roll muffins with fun twists. - Chocolate Chip Cinnamon Roll Muffins: Add 1 cup of chocolate chips to the batter. This gives a sweet, gooey surprise in each bite. The rich chocolate and warm cinnamon blend perfectly to create a decadent treat. - Pumpkin Spice Twist: Mix in 1 cup of pumpkin puree and 1 teaspoon of pumpkin spice. This adds warmth and flavor, making these muffins perfect for fall. The spices will fill your kitchen with a cozy aroma. Making these muffins fit your diet is easy. - Gluten-Free Option: Swap all-purpose flour for a gluten-free mix. Look for one that measures cup-for-cup. This way, you can enjoy each muffin without the gluten. - Vegan Substitution Ideas: Replace the egg with 1/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce. Use almond or oat milk instead of cow’s milk. Lastly, swap butter for a vegan butter alternative. This way, everyone can enjoy these warm, tasty muffins! Cinnamon roll muffins are best stored at room temperature. Keep them in a sealed container. This helps them stay fresh for about three days. If you want them to last longer, you can refrigerate them. However, this may change their texture slightly. Use an airtight container in the fridge for best results. To freeze muffins for later, let them cool completely first. Wrap each muffin in plastic wrap. Then, place the wrapped muffins in a freezer bag. Remove as much air as possible before sealing. This method helps keep them moist and tasty. You can freeze them for up to three months. When you're ready to enjoy your muffins, reheating is easy. You can use a microwave for quick warming. Heat each muffin for about 15-20 seconds. If you prefer a crispier texture, use an oven. Preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Place the muffins on a baking sheet for about 5-7 minutes. This method makes them warm and delightful again! Yes, you can make these muffins ahead of time. To do this, prepare the batter and fill the muffin cups. Then, cover the muffin tin and store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. When you're ready to bake, just pop them in the preheated oven. This way, you enjoy fresh muffins quickly. Cinnamon roll muffins stay fresh for about 2 to 3 days at room temperature. Store them in an airtight container to keep them soft. If you want them to last longer, you can refrigerate them. They should stay fresh for about a week when refrigerated. If you want to skip the nuts, there are great alternatives. You can use raisins, chocolate chips, or even dried fruit. These options add sweetness and texture without using nuts. Feel free to get creative with what you like best. To adjust the sweetness, you can change the sugar in the recipe. If you prefer less sweetness, reduce the granulated sugar by a few tablespoons. For more sweetness, add extra brown sugar to the filling. Just remember to taste as you go to find your perfect balance! Cinnamon Roll Muffins are simple and delightful. We explored key ingredients, from flour to icing. You learned step-by-step instructions for perfect muffins. I shared tips to enhance taste and texture, plus fun variations. Remember, you can make these ahead and store or freeze them for later. With these insights, you can enjoy fresh, warm muffins anytime. Happy baking!

Cinnamon Roll Muffins

Delicious muffins with a cinnamon roll twist, topped with sweet icing.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 200 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt
  • 0.5 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 0.5 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon (for filling)
  • 0.25 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
  • 1 cup powdered sugar (for icing)
  • 2 tablespoons milk (for icing)

Instructions
 

  • Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a muffin tin by lining it with paper liners or greasing each cup generously to prevent sticking.
  • In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, granulated sugar, and 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon until well combined.
  • In a separate bowl, blend the melted unsalted butter, milk, large egg, and vanilla extract. Whisk these wet ingredients until they are smooth and cohesive.
  • Gently pour the wet mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Fold the mixture together carefully, mixing until just combined. It’s important to avoid overmixing, so don’t worry if there are a few lumps remaining.
  • In a small bowl, prepare the filling by combining the packed brown sugar, 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon, and chopped nuts (if desired). Mix until evenly distributed.
  • Scoop the muffin batter into each muffin cup, filling them halfway to allow space for the filling. Evenly sprinkle a spoonful of the prepared filling mixture over the batter in each cup. Then, top the filling with additional batter until each cup is about 3/4 full.
  • Using a toothpick or a small knife, gently swirl the filling into the batter, creating a marbled effect without fully blending.
  • Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes. Test for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean when the muffins are ready.
  • While the muffins are baking, whip up the icing by mixing the powdered sugar with just enough milk to create a smooth, drizzling consistency. Adjust the milk as necessary to reach your desired thickness.
  • Once the muffins are baked, allow them to cool in the pan for about 5 minutes. Afterward, carefully transfer them to a wire rack. While they are still warm, drizzle the prepared icing generously over the top of each muffin.

Notes

Serve on a decorative platter and garnish with extra cinnamon and nuts for added appeal.
Keyword baking, cinnamon, dessert, muffins