Cinnamon Roll Muffins with Brown Butter Crumble and Vanilla Frosting

These cinnamon roll muffins take all the delicious flavors of a classic cinnamon roll and combine them with the convenience of a muffin. They are soft, fluffy, and filled with swirls of cinnamon sugar, topped with a crunchy brown butter crumble, and finished with a generous drizzle of vanilla frosting. These muffins are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet treat at any time of day. The combination of warm spices and creamy frosting makes every bite indulgent and satisfying. They’re easy to make and deliver the same comforting flavors as a cinnamon roll, but with much less effort.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

You’ll love this recipe because it transforms the irresistible flavors of a cinnamon roll into a portable and easy-to-make muffin. The muffins are soft and moist, thanks to the Greek yogurt and buttermilk, while the cinnamon sugar swirl gives each bite a burst of sweet and spicy flavor. The brown butter crumble on top adds a crunchy, nutty contrast to the tender muffin, and the vanilla frosting ties it all together with a creamy, sweet finish. These muffins are great for sharing with family and friends, or for making ahead and enjoying throughout the week. The recipe is simple but delivers bakery-quality results that will impress anyone who tries them.

The Perfect Occasion

These cinnamon roll muffins are perfect for any occasion where you want to serve something sweet, comforting, and homemade. They’re ideal for breakfast or brunch, whether you’re hosting a weekend gathering or just treating yourself to a leisurely morning. They’re also great for holiday mornings, especially when you want something special but don’t have the time to make traditional cinnamon rolls from scratch. Because they’re portable, these muffins are perfect for taking to potlucks, picnics, or as a snack to enjoy with coffee or tea. They also make a lovely homemade gift for friends or family.

Decoration Tips

To elevate the appearance of these cinnamon roll muffins, consider a few decoration tips. After piping the vanilla frosting on top, you can sprinkle a little extra cinnamon over the frosting for a rustic look. If you want to add more texture, top the muffins with a few chopped nuts, like pecans or walnuts, before baking. For a festive touch, dust the tops with powdered sugar after the frosting has set. You can also drizzle a bit of caramel sauce over the frosting for added sweetness and flair. If serving for a special occasion, present the muffins in decorative liners or arrange them on a cake stand for a beautiful display.

Ingredients:

For the Muffins:

• 113g butter, melted
• 2 dl | 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 dl | 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
• 1/2 dl | 1/4 cup buttermilk (or milk + 1 tsp apple cider vinegar)
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp cardamom
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 4 dl | 2 cups all-purpose flour

For the Cinnamon Swirl:

• 3 tbsp melted butter
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 dl | 1/2 cup brown sugar

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

For the Frosting:

• 2 dl | 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tbsp milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Make the Crumble: In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and flour. Use a wooden spoon to stir until the mixture resembles wet sand. Set aside.
2. Prepare the Muffin Batter: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter and granulated sugar until smooth. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract, Greek yogurt, and buttermilk, mixing until smooth.
3. Add the Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
4. Make the Cinnamon Swirl: In a small bowl, mix the melted butter, cinnamon, and brown sugar until smooth. Transfer the mixture to a piping bag or plastic sandwich bag and set aside.
5. Assemble the Muffins: Preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F) and line a muffin tin with paper liners. Spoon a layer of muffin batter into each muffin cup, filling it about halfway. Pipe a swirl of the cinnamon sugar mixture on top of the batter, then cover with another layer of batter. The muffin cups should be about 3/4 full. Sprinkle about 2 tablespoons of the crumble mixture on top of each muffin, pressing it gently into the batter.
6. Bake: Bake the muffins in the preheated oven for 20-30 minutes, or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and allow the muffins to cool for at least 15 minutes.
7. Make the Frosting: While the muffins cool, make the frosting by whisking together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla in a small bowl. Transfer the frosting to a piping bag or plastic sandwich bag, snip off the tip, and drizzle the frosting in swirls over each cooled muffin.
8. Serve and Enjoy: Once frosted, the cinnamon roll muffins are ready to be enjoyed! Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet snack.

Enjoy!