Are you craving the warm, gooey goodness of cinnamon buns but short on time? Then these Cinnamon Bun Muffins are your answer! This recipe delivers all the comforting flavors of a classic cinnamon roll in a convenient, individual-sized package. Perfect for a quick breakfast, a delightful afternoon snack, or even a charming dessert, these muffins are surprisingly easy to make and guaranteed to be a hit with everyone. Get ready to enjoy the best of both worlds – the irresistible taste of cinnamon buns with the ease of muffin baking.
Ingredients:
This recipe makes 12 delicious cinnamon bun muffins.
For the Muffins:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
For the Cinnamon Filling:
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
For the Glaze (optional):
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-4 tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
Get Started:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners. This ensures even baking and easy removal.
Make the Cinnamon Filling:
- In a medium bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This is crucial for a good, rich filling. Stir in the cinnamon until well combined. Set aside.
Prepare the Muffin Batter:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. This ensures all the dry ingredients are evenly distributed.
- In a separate bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined; don't overmix. Overmixing can lead to tough muffins.
Assemble and Bake:
- Fill each muffin liner about halfway with the muffin batter.
- Spoon about 1-2 tablespoons of the cinnamon filling onto the batter in each muffin cup. Don't be shy with the filling!
- Top with the remaining muffin batter, filling the cups about ¾ full.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
Make the Glaze (Optional):
- While the muffins are still warm, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add more milk if needed to reach your desired consistency.
- Drizzle the glaze over the cooled muffins.
Tips for the Best Cinnamon Bun Muffins:
- Don't overmix the batter: Overmixing develops gluten, resulting in tough muffins. Mix until just combined.
- Use room temperature ingredients: This ensures even baking and a better texture.
- Let the muffins cool slightly before glazing: This prevents the glaze from melting too quickly.
- Get creative with the filling: Add chopped nuts, raisins, or chocolate chips to the cinnamon filling for extra flavor and texture.
Variations:
- Apple Cinnamon Muffins: Add ½ cup of chopped apples to the muffin batter.
- Cream Cheese Filling: Add a dollop of cream cheese filling to each muffin before baking for an extra decadent treat.
Nutritional Information (per muffin, approximate):
- Calories: Approximately 250-300
- Fat: 12-15g
- Carbohydrates: 35-40g
- Protein: 4-5g
These values are estimates and may vary depending on the specific ingredients used. Enjoy your delicious and easy homemade cinnamon bun muffins! They’re a perfect example of quick dinner ideas, healthy meals, and delicious dishes all rolled into one delightful treat. This recipe is perfect for homemade cooking, and it is amongst the best recipes you will ever try.