Cinnamon Sugar Donut Muffins (15 Minutes)

Okay, full disclosure: I may have eaten half a dozen of these cinnamon sugar donut muffins before dinner, and honestly, zero regrets. These little beauties are like the lovechild of a cozy breakfast and a sweet donut — minus the deep-frying drama. The moment you pull them out of the oven, their warm, sugary aroma fills the kitchen and wraps you in a hug. Plus, they’re ready in just 15 minutes, which is basically magic for any sweet treat. Trust me, once you try these, your muffin game will never be the same. Now, let’s get baking — sweetness awaits!

Quick Facts

• Yield: Serves 8
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

For the Main Dish:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 large egg
• 3 tbsp melted butter (plus extra for greasing)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating:

• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon

How I Make It

Step 1:

Preheat your oven to 375°F and lightly grease a muffin tin with butter or non-stick spray. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon until evenly combined.

Step 2:

In a separate bowl, beat the egg, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth. Pour this wet mixture into the dry ingredients and fold gently with a spatula until just combined — be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are okay!

Step 3:

Scoop the batter evenly into the muffin tin, filling each cup about 3/4 full for that perfect rise. Pop them in the oven and bake for about 10 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Step 4:

While the muffins are baking, mix the cinnamon sugar coating in a shallow bowl — you’ll want this ready to go right when the muffins come out.

Step 5:

Once baked, let the muffins cool just enough to handle but still be warm — about 1-2 minutes. Carefully remove them from the tin and roll each muffin in the cinnamon sugar mixture until fully coated. You want that sugar to stick well, so don’t be shy here!

Step 6:

Serve immediately and enjoy the soft, tender crumb dusted with that irresistible cinnamon sugar sparkle. Warning: these might disappear faster than you expect!

Variations & Tips

• Swap out half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat for a nuttier, heartier muffin.
• Add a tablespoon of maple syrup or honey to the wet mix for extra depth of sweetness.
• For a little crunch, stir in chopped nuts or cinnamon chips into the batter.
• If you want a glaze, mix powdered sugar and a teaspoon of milk and drizzle over cooled muffins instead of rolling in sugar.
• Don’t overbake! These muffins are best tender and moist — keep an eye around the 9-minute mark.
• If you don’t have a muffin tin, use silicone cupcake liners in a baking sheet; they release muffins easily.

How I Like to Serve It

These muffins are pure morning joy with a cup of freshly brewed coffee or spiced chai. They also make a fantastic after-school snack or a quick sweet treat to share at weekend brunch. When fall rolls around, I love pairing them with warm apple cider for full cozy vibes.

Notes

• Store leftover muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days — they’re best fresh but still yummy!
• To reheat, pop them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or briefly in a toaster oven to revive that fresh-baked warmth.

Closing: Seriously, these Cinnamon Sugar Donut Muffins hit all the right cozy-sweet notes every single time, making them a runaway favorite in my kitchen.