These cinnamon roll muffins are a delightful fusion of two beloved treats: soft, spiced cinnamon rolls and warm, crumbly muffins. The muffins are swirled with a cinnamon-butter mixture, topped with a rich brown butter crumble, and finished with a sweet vanilla frosting. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a cozy afternoon snack, these muffins offer all the comforting flavors of a cinnamon roll in a quick and easy-to-make muffin form.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These cinnamon roll muffins pack the best parts of a classic cinnamon roll into a portable muffin. The muffins are soft and moist, with a subtle tang from the Greek yogurt and buttermilk. The cinnamon swirl adds a burst of spice in every bite, while the buttery crumble gives the muffins a deliciously crisp texture on top. And, of course, no cinnamon roll is complete without a drizzle of frosting, which makes these muffins even more irresistible. Whether you’re serving them at a weekend brunch or enjoying them as a sweet treat with coffee, these muffins are sure to satisfy your cravings.
The Perfect Occasion
These cinnamon roll muffins are perfect for a lazy weekend breakfast, a special brunch, or a holiday gathering. They’re also great for making ahead and enjoying throughout the week—just warm them up in the microwave, and they taste freshly baked. Their cinnamon-rich flavor and crumbly texture make them an ideal treat during the colder months, but they’re delicious any time of year. You can even bring them to potlucks or bake sales for a crowd-pleasing dessert!
Decoration Tips
For a polished presentation, pipe the frosting in neat swirls over each cooled muffin. You can also sprinkle a bit of cinnamon or powdered sugar on top for an extra touch of elegance. If you want to make these muffins even more special, add a few caramelized nuts or a small drizzle of caramel sauce for extra flavor and texture. Serve them on a cake stand or a platter lined with parchment paper for a rustic, bakery-style look.
Ingredients for the Muffins
- 113g butter, melted
- 1 dl | 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 dl | 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/2 dl | 1/4 cup buttermilk (or milk with 1 tsp apple cider vinegar)
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 4 dl | 2 cups all-purpose flour
Ingredients for the Cinnamon Swirl
- 3 tbsp melted butter
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 dl | 1/2 cup brown sugar
Ingredients for the Crumble
- 70g melted butter
- 1/2 dl | 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1.5 dl | 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
Ingredients for the Frosting
- 2 dl | 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
Step 1: Make the Crumble
In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and flour for the crumble. Stir with a wooden spoon until the mixture resembles wet sand. Set aside.
Step 2: Prepare the Muffin Batter
In a large mixing bowl, beat together the melted butter and granulated sugar until smooth. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing until fully incorporated. Stir in the Greek yogurt, buttermilk, and vanilla extract.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter.
Step 3: Make the Cinnamon Swirl
In a small bowl, mix together the melted butter, cinnamon, and brown sugar for the cinnamon swirl. Pour the mixture into a piping bag (or a plastic bag with the tip cut off).
Step 4: Assemble the Muffins
Preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F) and line a muffin tin with paper liners. Scoop the muffin batter into the prepared muffin tin, filling each cup halfway. Pipe a swirl of the cinnamon mixture onto the batter, then cover with more batter until the cups are about 3/4 full.
Top each muffin with about 2 tablespoons of the crumble mixture, gently pressing the crumble into the batter to help it stick.
Step 5: Bake the Muffins
Bake the muffins for 20-30 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and let them cool in the pan for about 15 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Step 6: Make the Frosting
In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Pour the frosting into a piping bag or a resealable plastic bag with the tip cut off.
Step 7: Frost the Muffins
Once the muffins have cooled, pipe swirls of frosting onto each one. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Enjoy!
These Cinnamon Roll Muffins, with their spiced cinnamon swirl, crumbly brown butter topping, and creamy frosting, are sure to become a new favorite. Whether for breakfast, brunch, or dessert, they’re the perfect sweet treat for any occasion!
