Cinnamon Sugar Donut Muffins

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Soft, Buttery, Bakery-Style Muffins That Taste Like Old-Fashioned Donuts

If donuts and muffins had a baby, this would be it. These cinnamon sugar donut muffins are fluffy on the inside, golden on the outside, and coated in melted butter and cinnamon sugar for that irresistible donut-shop flavor — without frying.

Perfect for breakfast, brunch, snacks, or late-night cravings.

Ingredients (Makes 12 Muffins)

For the Muffins:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp ground nutmeg (optional but classic donut flavor)
  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon
  • 2 large eggs (room temperature)
  • ¾ cup milk (whole milk preferred)
  • ⅓ cup vegetable oil or melted butter
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract

For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating:

  • ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 1½ tsp ground cinnamon

Instructions

Preheat & Prepare

  • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C)
  • Grease a 12-cup muffin pan well or use paper liners

Mix Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together:

  • Flour
  • Sugar
  • Baking powder
  • Salt
  • Nutmeg
  • Cinnamon

Mix Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk:

  • Eggs
  • Milk
  • Oil (or melted butter)
  • Vanilla

Combine

  • Pour wet ingredients into dry
  • Gently mix just until combined
    Do not overmix — this keeps muffins soft and fluffy

Bake

  • Fill muffin cups about ¾ full
  • Bake for 15–18 minutes, until golden and a toothpick comes out clean
  • Let cool in pan for 5 minutes

Cinnamon Sugar Magic (THE BEST PART)

Prepare Coating

  • Melt butter in one bowl
  • Mix sugar + cinnamon in another bowl

Coat the Muffins

  • While muffins are still warm:
  1. Dip each muffin top (or whole muffin) in melted butter
  2. Roll generously in cinnamon sugar Coat twice if you want extra indulgence

Tips for PERFECT Donut Muffins

  • Warm muffins absorb butter better — coat immediately
  • Nutmeg gives classic donut flavor (don’t skip if you love bakery taste)
  • For extra richness, use melted butter instead of oil
  • Store in airtight container for up to 3 days

Optional Variations

  • Apple Cinnamon: Add ½ cup finely diced apples
  • Pumpkin Spice: Replace cinnamon with pumpkin spice mix
  • Chocolate Lover’s: Add mini chocolate chips inside
  • Glazed Version: Skip sugar coating and drizzle vanilla glaze

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

No frying
Simple pantry ingredients
Kid-friendly
Tastes like bakery donuts
Ready in under 30 minutes

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