Coffee Cake Muffins Ultimate Cozy Breakfast Treat

On slow Sunday mornings, I reach for Coffee Cake Muffins before I even pour my coffee. The smell of cinnamon drifts through the kitchen, and suddenly everyone wanders in, still sleepy but hopeful. These muffins feel cozy and familiar, yet they bake up tall and golden every single time.

What Are Coffee Cake Muffins?

A Classic Cinnamon Streusel Breakfast Treat

Coffee Cake Muffins bring together everything we love about classic coffee cake in a simple, handheld form. Instead of slicing a big cake, you grab a muffin and go. Each one holds a moist vanilla batter, a brown sugar cinnamon swirl in the center, and a crumbly streusel topping on top.
Because of that swirl and crumb, Coffee Cake Muffins taste like bakery treats. However, you can mix them in one bowl and bake them in under an hour. So they fit busy weekday mornings just as well as relaxed weekends.

Texture and Flavor Profile

When you bite into Coffee Cake Muffins, you notice the tender interior first. Then the crisp crumb topping gives a slight crunch. Meanwhile, the cinnamon swirl melts into the center and adds warm sweetness.
You also get buttery richness from the melted butter. Finally, a light vanilla glaze drizzles over the top and ties everything together. As a result, each bite tastes sweet, cozy, and just indulgent enough for breakfast.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Muffin Batter Ingredients

To make these Coffee Cake Muffins, start with 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted, and 1 cup granulated sugar. Then add 2 large eggs at room temperature, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/4 cup buttermilk, and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract.
For the dry ingredients, use 2 cups all purpose flour, 1 tablespoon baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. The sour cream and buttermilk work together to create a moist, tender crumb. Because of that combo, the muffins stay soft for days.

Cinnamon Swirl Filling

For the swirl, mix 1/2 cup brown sugar, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. This simple blend creates a sweet, slightly spiced ribbon right through the center.
As the Coffee Cake Muffins bake, that cinnamon sugar melts into the batter. So every bite has a warm stripe of flavor.

Crumb Topping Streusel

For the crumb topping, combine 1/3 cup brown sugar, 3/4 cup all purpose flour, and 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon. Then stir in 6 tablespoons melted butter.
Mix until clumps form. Those clumps create the signature crunchy top that makes Coffee Cake Muffins stand out from plain muffins.

Vanilla Glaze

For the glaze, whisk 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar with 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Then add 2 to 3 tablespoons milk until smooth and pourable.
The glaze should flow easily off a spoon. However, it should still hold its shape once it sets on the cooled muffins.

How to Make Coffee Cake Muffins Step by Step

Step 1 Prepare the Oven and Muffin Pan

First, preheat your oven to 425°F. Then line or grease 10 standard muffin cups.
Starting at a higher temperature helps the Coffee Cake Muffins rise tall. Later, you will lower the heat for even baking.

Step 2 Make the Muffin Batter

Whisk the melted butter and granulated sugar together until combined. Then add the eggs one at a time and mix well after each.
Next, stir in the sour cream, buttermilk, and vanilla until smooth. Gently fold in the flour, baking powder, and salt just until incorporated. Do not overmix, because that can make the muffins dense.

Step 3 Prepare the Cinnamon Swirl and Crumb Topping

In one small bowl, mix the brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt for the swirl. In another bowl, combine the crumb topping ingredients and stir in melted butter until clumps form.
Having both ready makes layering the Coffee Cake Muffins quick and easy.

Step 4 Layer the Muffins

Fill each muffin cup halfway with batter. Then sprinkle a spoonful of the cinnamon sugar mixture over the batter.
Next, add more batter until each cup reaches about three quarters full. Generously add crumb topping and lightly press it into the batter so it sticks while baking.

Step 5 Bake to Perfection

Bake the Coffee Cake Muffins for 5 minutes at 425°F. Then reduce the temperature to 375°F and continue baking for about 15 more minutes.
The tops should look golden and set. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean.

Step 6 Cool and Glaze

Let the muffins cool for at least 15 minutes. Meanwhile, whisk the glaze ingredients until smooth.
Drizzle the glaze over the cooled Coffee Cake Muffins. Because the muffins have cooled, the icing will set instead of melting off.

Expert Tips for Soft and Moist Muffins

Don’t Overmix the Batter

When you overmix, you develop too much gluten. As a result, Coffee Cake Muffins turn dense and tough. So stir just until you no longer see dry flour.

Use Room Temperature Ingredients

Room temperature eggs and dairy blend more evenly into the batter. Therefore, the texture turns out smoother and lighter.

Cool Before Glazing

If you glaze too soon, the icing will slide right off. However, if you wait at least 15 minutes, the glaze sets beautifully on top.

Storage and Freezing Instructions

Store Coffee Cake Muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They taste best warm or at room temperature.
If you want longer storage, freeze the unglazed muffins in a freezer safe bag. Then thaw at room temperature and add fresh glaze before serving. As a result, they taste just baked.
Each muffin contains about 370 to 520 calories depending on size and exact ingredients. This recipe makes 10 muffins and takes about 45 minutes total, including 25 minutes of prep and 20 minutes of baking.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Conclusion

These Coffee Cake Muffins bring together a tender crumb, a sweet cinnamon swirl, and a crunchy streusel topping in every bite. Because they bake quickly and store well, they fit both busy mornings and slow weekends. So preheat your oven, mix a simple batter, and let your kitchen fill with that warm cinnamon scent.

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