Description: These aren’t just muffins; they’re a warm hug from your grandma, transformed into a delectable baked treat. Imagine the comforting aroma of cinnamon and sugar mingling with the soft, pillowy texture of a freshly baked donut, all conveniently packaged in a muffin form. Grandma’s Fluffy Cinnamon Sugar Donut Muffins offer the nostalgic flavors of your favorite childhood indulgence with the ease and simplicity of a homemade muffin. They’re perfect for breakfast, brunch, a sweet afternoon treat, or even a late-night craving.
Why you will love this recipe:
- The Taste of Nostalgia: These muffins perfectly capture the essence of old-fashioned donuts, evoking cherished memories and a sense of comforting familiarity.
- Easy & Quick: Forget the complicated yeast dough and deep frying. These muffins are incredibly easy to make, requiring minimal effort and time, perfect for busy mornings or spontaneous baking sessions.
- Perfectly Portable: Unlike messy donuts, these muffins are conveniently portable, making them ideal for lunchboxes, picnics, or on-the-go snacking.
- Kid-Friendly: The sweet cinnamon-sugar coating and soft texture make these muffins a guaranteed hit with kids of all ages (and adults, too!).
- Versatile: While delicious as is, these muffins can be easily customized with additions like chocolate chips, nuts, or even a cream cheese glaze for an extra touch of indulgence.
Introduction
These Grandma’s Fluffy Cinnamon Sugar Donut Muffins are more than just a recipe; they’re a journey back to simpler times. The aroma that fills your kitchen as they bake is enough to transport you to your grandmother’s cozy kitchen, filled with warmth and love. This recipe is a tribute to those memories, offering a quick and easy way to recreate the comforting flavors of homemade donuts without the fuss and mess of traditional donut making.
The key to achieving that perfect donut-like texture lies in a delicate balance of ingredients and a light hand when mixing. We want to avoid overmixing the batter, which can lead to tough muffins. Instead, we aim for a tender crumb that melts in your mouth with each bite. The cinnamon-sugar topping, of course, is the quintessential element that elevates these muffins from ordinary to extraordinary. It provides that satisfying crunch and irresistible sweetness that makes donuts so incredibly addictive.
This recipe has been carefully crafted to ensure consistent results every time. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a complete novice, you’ll find these muffins surprisingly easy to make. Gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to experience the magic of Grandma’s Fluffy Cinnamon Sugar Donut Muffins. You won’t be disappointed.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour: Provides the structure for the muffins. Bleached or unbleached flour will work, but unbleached flour tends to have a slightly nuttier flavor. Ensure the flour is properly measured; spooning and leveling is recommended to avoid packing it in and ending up with dry muffins.
- ½ cup granulated sugar: Adds sweetness to the muffins and helps to create a tender crumb.
- 1 teaspoon baking powder: A leavening agent that helps the muffins rise and become light and airy. Make sure your baking powder is fresh for optimal results.
- ½ teaspoon baking soda: Another leavening agent that reacts with the acidity in the milk to create carbon dioxide, contributing to the muffin’s rise and texture.
- ½ teaspoon salt: Enhances the other flavors in the muffins and balances the sweetness.
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon: Adds warmth and spice to the muffins, complementing the cinnamon-sugar topping perfectly.
- ½ cup milk: Adds moisture to the batter and helps to create a smooth consistency. Whole milk will result in a richer flavor, but 2% or even skim milk can be used as well. You can even use a plant based option, like almond or oatmilk!
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted: Adds richness and moisture to the muffins. Using melted butter ensures that it’s evenly distributed throughout the batter. Allow the butter to cool slightly before adding it to the other wet ingredients to prevent the egg from cooking.
- 1 large egg: Binds the ingredients together and adds moisture and richness to the muffins. Use a room-temperature egg for best results, as it will incorporate more easily into the batter.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances the other flavors in the muffins and adds a touch of sweetness. Use pure vanilla extract for the best flavor. Imitation vanilla extract can also be used, but it won’t have the same depth of flavor.
- ¼ cup granulated sugar (for topping): Provides the sweetness for the cinnamon-sugar coating.
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for topping): Adds the signature cinnamon flavor to the topping.
Preparation:
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin tin with liners or grease it well. This step is crucial to prevent the muffins from sticking to the tin. If you’re using liners, ensure they are securely fitted into the cups. If you’re greasing the tin, use a non-stick cooking spray or grease it with butter or shortening and dust with flour.
Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Whisking the dry ingredients together ensures that they are evenly distributed throughout the batter, which is essential for consistent results. This also helps to break up any clumps of flour or baking powder.
Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract. Combining the wet ingredients separately helps to ensure that they are evenly incorporated into the dry ingredients. This also prevents overmixing, which can lead to tough muffins.
Step 4: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring just until combined. Be careful not to overmix. This is the most critical step in the recipe. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough, dense muffins. Stir just until the dry ingredients are moistened; a few lumps are perfectly fine.
Step 5: Fill the muffin cups about ¾ full with the batter. This ensures that the muffins will rise properly without overflowing. Use an ice cream scoop or a measuring cup to evenly distribute the batter among the muffin cups.
Step 6: Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until the muffins are golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean. The baking time may vary depending on your oven, so it’s important to check the muffins frequently. A toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached.
Step 7: While the muffins are baking, mix the ¼ cup sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon in a small bowl. This mixture will be used to coat the muffins after they are baked.
Step 8: Once the muffins are done, remove them from the oven and let them cool slightly. While they are still warm, dip the tops of the muffins into melted butter, then roll them in the cinnamon sugar mixture. The warm muffins will help the butter and cinnamon-sugar coating to adhere.
Step 9: Let them cool slightly before enjoying them warm. The muffins are best enjoyed warm, when they are at their softest and most flavorful.
COOKING Rating:
Easy
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve warm with a glass of cold milk or a cup of hot coffee.
- Enjoy as a breakfast treat, a midday snack, or a dessert.
- Pack them in lunchboxes for a sweet surprise.
- Serve them at brunch with a side of fresh fruit and yogurt.
- Drizzle with a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk for an extra touch of sweetness.
Tips:
- Don’t overmix the batter: Overmixing is the biggest mistake when making muffins. It develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough, dense muffins.
- Use room-temperature ingredients: Room-temperature ingredients incorporate more easily into the batter, resulting in a smoother and more consistent texture.
- Preheat the oven properly: A properly preheated oven is essential for even baking.
- Line the muffin tin with liners or grease it well: This will prevent the muffins from sticking to the tin.
- Let the muffins cool slightly before dipping them in the butter and cinnamon-sugar mixture: This will help the butter and coating to adhere properly.
- Store leftover muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also freeze them for longer storage.
Prep Time:
15 minutes
Cook Time:
20 minutes
Total Time:
35 minutes
Nutritional Information:
(Note: Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary based on specific ingredients and serving sizes.)
Calories: Approximately 200 per muffin
Protein: Approximately 3 grams per muffin
Sodium: Approximately 150 mg per muffin
Conclusion
Grandma’s Fluffy Cinnamon Sugar Donut Muffins are a delightful treat that brings together the best of both worlds: the comforting flavor of homemade donuts and the convenience of easy-to-make muffins. This recipe is a perfect way to satisfy your sweet tooth, create memorable moments in the kitchen, and share a little bit of love with your family and friends. So, bake a batch today and experience the joy of Grandma’s kitchen in every bite! These are sure to become a family favorite.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q1: Can I use self-rising flour instead of all-purpose flour?
A: While you can use self-rising flour, I wouldn’t recommend it. Self-rising flour already contains baking powder and salt, so you’d need to omit those ingredients from the recipe. However, the ratio of leavening to flour in self-rising flour might not be the same as what’s optimal for these muffins, potentially resulting in a different texture. For the best and most consistent results, stick with all-purpose flour and the specified amounts of baking powder and baking soda.
Q2: Can I substitute the butter with oil?
A: Yes, you can substitute the melted butter with oil, but it will slightly alter the flavor and texture of the muffins. Butter contributes a richness and depth of flavor that oil can’t quite replicate. However, if you need a dairy-free option, a neutral-flavored oil like canola or vegetable oil will work. Keep in mind that the muffins might be slightly less tender and flavorful. You could also use melted coconut oil for a subtle coconut flavor.
Q3: What if I don’t have muffin liners?
A: If you don’t have muffin liners, don’t worry! Simply grease the muffin tin very well with non-stick cooking spray, butter, or shortening. If using butter or shortening, dust the greased tin with flour to prevent the muffins from sticking. Make sure to coat every nook and cranny of the muffin cups.
Q4: My muffins are too dry. What did I do wrong?
A: There are several reasons why your muffins might be dry. The most common culprit is overmixing the batter. Remember to stir just until the dry ingredients are moistened. Another reason could be overbaking the muffins. Use a toothpick to check for doneness, and remove the muffins from the oven as soon as the toothpick comes out clean. It’s also possible that you measured the flour incorrectly. Always spoon and level the flour when measuring to avoid packing it in. Using too much flour will result in dry muffins.
Q5: Can I add chocolate chips to these muffins?
A: Absolutely! Chocolate chips would be a delicious addition to these muffins. Fold in about ½ cup of chocolate chips (milk chocolate, semi-sweet, or dark chocolate, depending on your preference) to the batter after you’ve combined the wet and dry ingredients. You could also add other mix-ins, such as chopped nuts, dried cranberries, or blueberries. Get creative and customize your muffins to your liking!
