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To make these delightful muffins, gather the following: - 2 cups all-purpose flour - 1 cup granulated sugar - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened - 1 cup milk - 2 large eggs - 1 tablespoon baking powder - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon - 1/4 cup brown sugar These ingredients work together to create a soft, tender muffin with a lovely cinnamon swirl. Feel free to add these for extra flavor: - 1/4 cup chopped walnuts - Powdered sugar for dusting Walnuts add a nice crunch, while powdered sugar gives a sweet finish. You can swap some ingredients if needed: - Use coconut oil for butter. - Almond milk can replace regular milk. - Try honey instead of granulated sugar. These substitutions keep the muffins tasty while catering to different diets or preferences. {{ingredient_image_1}} First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures even baking. I use paper liners in my muffin tin. You can also lightly grease it with cooking spray. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar. Mix until the mixture is light and fluffy. This takes about 2-3 minutes. Then, add the eggs one by one. Mix well after each egg. Stir in the vanilla extract for extra flavor. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This step is key for even mixing. Gradually add the dry mix to the wet mixture. Alternate with the milk and stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; this keeps the muffins soft. In another small bowl, combine the ground cinnamon, brown sugar, and chopped walnuts if you choose to use them. This mixture adds a delicious swirl to your muffins. Now, fill each muffin cup halfway with the batter. Then, add a spoonful of the cinnamon mixture on top. Use a toothpick or knife to swirl the cinnamon gently into the batter. This creates that beautiful cinnamon swirl effect. Top each muffin with the remaining batter until the cups are about 3/4 full. Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven. Bake for 15-20 minutes. Check for doneness using a toothpick. If it comes out clean, the muffins are ready. After baking, allow the muffins to cool in the pan for 5 minutes. This helps them set properly. Then, transfer the muffins to a wire rack to cool completely. If you like, dust the cooled muffins with powdered sugar before serving. This adds a lovely touch. Enjoy your soft, cinnamon-swirl muffins with coffee or tea! To get soft muffins, you need to mix well. Start by creaming the butter and sugar until fluffy. This step adds air and helps the muffins rise. When you add dry ingredients, mix just until combined. Overmixing can make them tough. Remember, a few lumps are okay. Let the batter rest for a few minutes before baking. This helps the flour absorb moisture. Swirling the cinnamon mixture is key for that tasty swirl. After filling each muffin cup halfway, drop a spoonful of the cinnamon mix on top. Use a toothpick or knife to swirl it in. Don’t swirl too much; you want to see the cinnamon mix. A little goes a long way, so be gentle. This makes each bite a surprise of flavor. Even baking is crucial for perfect muffins. Make sure your oven is preheated to 350°F (175°C). Use an oven thermometer to check if your oven is accurate. Place the muffin tin in the center of the oven. This spot gets the best heat. Rotate the tin halfway through baking for even color. Insert a toothpick in the center; if it comes out clean, your muffins are ready. Pro Tips Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure that your butter and eggs are at room temperature for better incorporation, resulting in a fluffier muffin. Don’t Overmix the Batter: Mix until just combined to prevent dense muffins. A few lumps are okay! Customize Your Swirl: Feel free to add chocolate chips or dried fruit to the cinnamon swirl mixture for added flavor and texture. Storage Tips: Store leftover muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze them for longer storage. {{image_2}} If you want a nut-free version, simply skip the walnuts. You can still enjoy the muffins' soft texture and rich flavor. The cinnamon swirl will shine through without the nuts. This way, you keep it simple and safe for those with allergies. To make these muffins gluten-free, swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend. Make sure your blend includes xanthan gum for the right texture. The muffins may turn out just as soft and tasty. Check the baking time; it may vary slightly. You can add fun flavors to these muffins. Consider mixing in chocolate chips or dried fruit. Both will add a sweet twist. For a fruity touch, try blueberries or raspberries. These add-ins will make each bite a new surprise! To keep your muffins fresh, store them in an airtight container. Place a paper towel in the container to absorb moisture. This helps keep them soft. You can store them at room temperature for up to three days. If you want them to last longer, consider refrigerating them. They can stay fresh for about a week in the fridge. Freezing muffins is easy and fun! Cool them completely before freezing. Wrap each muffin in plastic wrap. Then, place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. This helps prevent freezer burn. Muffins can last for up to three months in the freezer. When you are ready to enjoy them, just take a few out and let them thaw at room temperature. To reheat your muffins, you can use the microwave or the oven. If using the microwave, heat one muffin for about 15-20 seconds. Check to make sure it’s warm but not hot. For the oven, preheat to 350°F (175°C). Place the muffins on a baking sheet and heat for about 10 minutes. This warms them up and keeps them soft. Enjoy your warm muffins with a cup of coffee! Yes, you can use self-rising flour. Just skip the baking powder and salt. Self-rising flour adds a nice lift to the muffins. However, the texture may change slightly. You might also need to adjust the sugar since self-rising flour can be a bit sweeter. To check if the muffins are done, insert a toothpick in the middle. If it comes out clean, they are ready. You should see a nice golden color on top. If there is batter on the toothpick, give them a few more minutes. Store the muffins in an airtight container at room temperature. This keeps them soft and fresh. If you want to keep them longer, freeze them. Wrap each muffin tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer bag. They can last up to three months in the freezer. This blog post covers everything you need to make delicious cinnamon muffins. We discussed essential and optional ingredients, along with easy substitutions. You learned step-by-step instructions from prep to baking, plus tips for perfect texture and even baking. We explored nut-free and gluten-free versions and flavor add-ins for variety. Lastly, we talked about storage and reheating. Now, you have the tools to bake tasty muffins anytime. Enjoy baking and sharing these treats with friends and family!

Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake Muffins

Delicious muffins with a cinnamon swirl, perfect for breakfast or a snack.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 200 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 0.25 cup brown sugar
  • 0.25 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
  • to taste powdered sugar for dusting (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin tin with paper liners or grease it lightly with cooking spray.
  • In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes.
  • Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the milk. Stir until just combined; be careful not to overmix.
  • In another small bowl, mix the ground cinnamon, brown sugar, and chopped walnuts (if using) to create the cinnamon swirl mixture.
  • Fill each muffin cup halfway with the batter, then add a spoonful of the cinnamon swirl mixture on top. Use a toothpick or knife to swirl the cinnamon mixture gently into the batter.
  • Top each muffin with the remaining batter until the cups are about 3/4 full.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  • Allow muffins to cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • Optionally, dust the cooled muffins with powdered sugar before serving.

Notes

Optional to dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Keyword cinnamon, coffee cake, muffins