If you adore the irresistible combination of tender cake, cinnamon-sugar swirls, and buttery crumb topping, then you’re in for a treat with these Coffee Cake Muffins. They bring together everything you love about classic coffee cake—cinnamon warmth, brown sugar sweetness, and a crumbly streusel crown—in the perfect handheld form. Whether you’re planning a cozy brunch, a make-ahead breakfast, or just want to brighten your afternoon coffee break, these muffins will win over everyone at the table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Coffee Cake Muffins lies in their simplicity. Each ingredient plays a starring role, lending just the right texture, flavor, and aroma to every bite. Let’s take a closer look at what you’ll need and why.
- All-purpose flour: Provides the structure for both the muffin and the streusel, creating a soft yet sturdy crumb.
- Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create that classic, tender cake texture.
- Brown sugar: Brings a rich, caramel-like depth and makes the streusel extra delicious.
- Baking powder: Gives the muffins their beautiful lift and lightness.
- Cinnamon: The essential spice for that coffee cake flavor—warm, fragrant, and comforting.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances every other flavor in the muffin.
- Milk: Keeps the crumb moist and brings everything together.
- Vegetable oil: Makes the muffins tender and soft, staying moist for days.
- Egg: Binds the ingredients and adds richness for a satisfying bite.
- Vanilla extract: Infuses the muffins and glaze with a sweet, aromatic note.
- Unsalted butter (for streusel): The secret to a crumbly, melt-in-your-mouth topping—cold butter is key.
- Powdered sugar (for glaze): Gives the optional finishing touch—a sweet, delicate drizzle.
- Cream or extra milk (for glaze): Helps thin out the glaze to the perfect drizzling consistency.
How to Make Coffee Cake Muffins
Step 1: Prepare Your Muffin Tin and Preheat the Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or give it a good greasing. This little bit of prep ensures your Coffee Cake Muffins pop right out with perfect edges and makes cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Make the Streusel Topping
In a small bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Add the cold, cubed butter, then use a fork or pastry cutter to work the butter into the dry mix until you have a crumbly, sandy texture. Set aside—this is the magic that creates that irresistible, crunchy muffin crown!
Step 3: Mix the Muffin Batter
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk the milk, vegetable oil, egg, and vanilla until smooth. Pour the wet mixture over the dry and gently fold together just until the flour disappears. Don’t overmix—this keeps your Coffee Cake Muffins soft and fluffy.
Step 4: Assemble and Add Streusel
Divide the batter evenly among your prepared muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full. Sprinkle a generous layer of streusel on top of each muffin, pressing it in lightly so it sticks. The more, the merrier—these muffins are all about that crumbly topping!
Step 5: Bake
Slide the muffin tin into your preheated oven and bake for 18 to 22 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, and the tops are golden and crisp. Let them cool for five minutes in the tin, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 6: Glaze (Optional)
For a final bakery-style flourish, whisk together powdered sugar, milk or cream, and vanilla until smooth. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled muffins. It adds a sweet, delicate finish that takes your Coffee Cake Muffins to the next level.
How to Serve Coffee Cake Muffins
Garnishes
A simple drizzle of vanilla glaze is a classic choice, but you can also dust your Coffee Cake Muffins with extra cinnamon sugar or a sprinkle of finely chopped nuts for added crunch and visual appeal. A touch of powdered sugar gives them a sweet, snow-dusted look perfect for special occasions.
Side Dishes
Pair your muffins with creamy Greek yogurt, fresh fruit, or a steaming cup of coffee or tea for a balanced breakfast or brunch spread. The muffins’ cinnamon sweetness also complements a savory egg scramble or crispy bacon if you want a heartier meal.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve your Coffee Cake Muffins on a rustic wooden platter lined with a linen napkin for a casual, inviting look. For brunch buffets, arrange them on a tiered cake stand alongside fresh berries and mini pastries. If you’re gifting, wrap individual muffins in parchment and tie with twine for a thoughtful, homemade treat.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Any leftover Coffee Cake Muffins can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. If you’ve glazed them, let the glaze set before stacking to avoid stickiness. Their moist crumb stays just as tender as day one!
Freezing
To freeze, skip the glaze and wrap cooled muffins individually in plastic wrap, then pop them into a freezer-safe bag. They’ll keep beautifully for up to three months. Simply thaw at room temperature or gently warm before serving, then add the glaze if desired.
Reheating
To bring your Coffee Cake Muffins back to life, warm them in a microwave for 15-20 seconds or in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes. This revives their softness and releases that lovely cinnamon aroma as if they were freshly baked.
FAQs
Can I make Coffee Cake Muffins with whole wheat flour?
Absolutely! You can substitute up to half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a heartier muffin. Just know the texture will be a bit denser and the flavor slightly nuttier, but still delicious.
What’s the best way to get that perfect crumbly streusel?
The key is using cold butter and not overmixing—it’s fine if you have some bigger crumbs. Gently press the streusel onto each muffin before baking to help it adhere and bake up beautifully.
Can I add fruit or nuts to Coffee Cake Muffins?
Definitely! Chopped pecans, walnuts, or even mini chocolate chips make wonderful mix-ins. For fruit, try small diced apples or blueberries, but keep the quantity modest to avoid soggy muffins.
How do I know when the muffins are done?
Insert a toothpick into the center of a muffin; if it comes out clean or with just a few crumbs, they’re ready. The tops should look set and have a golden-brown hue, especially around the edges.
Is the glaze necessary?
While the glaze is optional, it adds a lovely sweetness and makes the muffins feel extra special. If you’re short on time or prefer less sweetness, feel free to skip it—your Coffee Cake Muffins will still be scrumptious.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a cozy, crowd-pleasing treat that’s as easy to make as it is to devour, these Coffee Cake Muffins deserve a spot in your baking rotation. Whether you’re serving them for brunch, packing them in lunchboxes, or savoring one with your morning coffee, I can’t wait for you to experience just how delightful homemade can be. Give them a try—you’ll be hooked after just one bite!
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Coffee Cake Muffins Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 muffins
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in these moist and tender Coffee Cake Muffins featuring a cinnamon streusel topping and an optional sweet glaze. Perfect for breakfast or a comforting dessert, these muffins combine the warmth of cinnamon and vanilla with a crumbly, buttery streusel that adds a delightful texture. Easy to prepare and bake, they’re a classic American treat that’s sure to please any crowd.
Ingredients
For the Muffin Batter:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Streusel Topping:
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 3 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cubed
For the Glaze (optional):
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 teaspoons milk or cream
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease it well to prevent sticking.
- Make the Streusel Topping: In a small bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Use a fork or pastry cutter to cut in the cold butter until the mixture forms coarse crumbs. Set this streusel aside while you prepare the batter.
- Prepare the Muffin Batter: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk the milk, vegetable oil, egg, and vanilla extract until well combined. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently stir just until combined; avoid overmixing to keep the muffins tender.
- Fill Muffin Cups and Add Streusel: Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full. Generously sprinkle the streusel topping over each muffin batter portion to create that signature crumb topping.
- Bake: Place the muffin tin in the oven and bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. Once done, let the muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make and Add the Glaze (Optional): In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk (start with 1 teaspoon and add more if needed), and vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle this glaze over the cooled muffins for an extra touch of sweetness.
Notes
- These muffins freeze very well; however, skip glazing before freezing and add the glaze after thawing for the best texture and taste.
- For additional flavor and texture, try stirring in chopped pecans or mini chocolate chips into the muffin batter before baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 muffin
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 17g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
