Dive into the comforting embrace of warm spices with this easy cinnamon muffins recipe.
Perfect for brisk mornings or cozy afternoons, these fluffy treats bring a burst of cinnamon goodness to your day.
They’re easy to make, too. So grab a cup of coffee, and let’s make cinnamon muffins!
Cinnamon Muffins
This quick and easy cinnamon muffins recipe is a must-try, and here’s why:
The texture is phenomenal. They’re unbelievably fluffy, tender, and moist. The sugar-cinnamon topping adds a lovely crunch, to boot.
Better yet, they taste amazing! The balance between the sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg is spot on.
As for the aroma – these muffins make your house smell like the sweet and warming scent of autumn.
Ingredients
One of the best things about muffins is how simple they are.
You won’t even need to head to the grocery to get these ingredients. They’re all basic baking commodities you probably already have on hand!
- Flour – The base of the batter. There’s no need for fancy flour here, just all-purpose will suffice.
- Sugar – Granulated white sugar sweetens the muffins. You need it for both the batter and muffin top.
- Baking Powder – The leavening agent necessary to make the batter rise into tall, fluffy muffins. Be sure it’s still active, otherwise, your muffins won’t rise at all.
- Shortening – It works the same way as oil and butter do in baked goods. It makes them rich, moist, and full of flavor.
- Milk – The liquid ingredient that saturates the flour, turning it into a batter. You can also use buttermilk for more flavor.
- Egg – It binds the ingredients together, giving the muffins their structure.
- Salt – Where there’s sugar, there should always be salt to balance the flavor.
- Cinnamon & Nutmeg – These warming spices give these muffins their cozy aroma and flavor. Skip the nutmeg if you’re not a fan.
- Melted Butter – It gets the cinnamon sugar topping to adhere to the muffin tops. It also adds extra moisture and richness to the muffins.
Storing and Freezing
These muffins are so good, you’ll want to make a double batch. It’s a good thing they keep well when stored properly!
Here’s how:
To Store: Place the cooled muffins in an air-tight container and store them at room temperature for 2 to 5 days.
To Freeze: Place the cooled muffins on a baking sheet and freeze them for an hour, or until they’re rock solid. Then, transfer them into freezer-safe bags for up to 3 months.
To Reheat: Thaw frozen muffins in the fridge overnight. Reheat them in the toaster oven for 1-2 minutes to bring back the crunch of the topping.
Cinnamon Muffins Variations
These cinnamon muffins are tasty, sweet, and wonderfully spiced. But they are pretty simple.
So, if you want something more impressive, try one of these recipe variations:
- Add more cinnamon to the topping. Don’t add more to the batter. If you accidentally overdo it, you can’t fix it. At least with the topping, you can still make adjustments.
- Add chopped nuts to the batter and/or the topping for some crunch. Pecans, walnuts, cashews, and almonds all work well.
- Try dried fruits. Raisins or dried cranberries work well.
- Add white chocolate chips. Creamy white chocolate and cinnamon make a great pairing.
- Make it extra spicy. Add other warm species like cloves, ground ginger, or allspice.
- Add a sweet glaze. Just mix powdered sugar with water or milk until it’s smooth, and drizzle it over the muffins when they’re cooled.
If you like this recipe, try these gorgeous apple cinnamon muffins next!
Tips and Tricks for the Best Cinnamon Muffins
Here are a few handy tips to keep in mind:
- Measure things correctly. If you want perfectly moist and fluffy muffins, measure the flour the right way – that means with a kitchen scale!
- Cream the shortening and sugar well. It should be beaten with a paddle attachment or electric mixer for about 3 minutes.
- Don’t overmix the batter. Mix the dry and wet ingredients in separate bowls before combining them. The batter is ready when you no longer see streaks or large clumps of flour.
- Use room temperature ingredients. That way, they all mix in perfect harmony.
- Instead of greasing the muffin tin, use muffin liners. They make cleaning up a breeze. Plus, the liners will ensure your muffins don’t dry out.
- Keep a watchful eye on the muffins as they bake. Some ovens run hotter than others, so it’s best to test for doneness 5 minutes early.
More Muffin Recipes You’ll Love
Jordan Marsh Blueberry Muffins
Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins
Banana Bread Muffins
Easy Chocolate Muffins
I look forward to each posting.
Thank you
These make wonderful mini muffins for early morning company. Easy and very delicious.. p.s. they freeze very well too.
Hi Barb, I agree that these are perfect for company, and they do freeze well! I like to make a big batch to keep in the freezer so they’re ready whenever I need them.
If I decide to use butter instead of shortening how much do I use?
Hi Deborah! You can swap the shortening for butter in the same quantity. So that’s 1/3 cup of butter in the muffin batter.