These Cinnamon Sugar Donut Muffins combine the soft, fluffy texture of a bakery-style muffin with the sweet, buttery coating of a classic cake donut. Fresh from the oven and rolled in melted butter, cinnamon, and sugar, they’re perfect for breakfast, brunch, dessert, or an afternoon coffee break. Best of all, you get all the comforting flavor of donuts without deep frying.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Soft, tender crumb
No yeast required
No deep frying
Ready in under 35 minutes
Perfect for breakfast or dessert
Freezer-friendly
Kid-approved

Preparation Time

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Bake Time: 18–22 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 12 muffins

Ingredients

For the Muffins

2 cups all-purpose flour
1½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ cup granulated sugar
⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¾ cup buttermilk

Cinnamon Sugar Coating

¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
½ cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Equipment

12-cup muffin pan
Paper liners or non-stick spray
Mixing bowls
Whisk
Rubber spatula
Cooling rack
Pastry brush

Oven Temperature

350°F (175°C)

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Grease a 12-cup muffin tin or line it with paper liners.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together:

Flour
Baking powder
Baking soda
Salt
Nutmeg
Cinnamon
Sugar

Mix until evenly combined.

Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients

In another bowl, whisk together:

Melted butter
Egg
Vanilla
Buttermilk

Whisk until smooth.

Step 4: Combine

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.

Stir gently until just combined.

Do not overmix—the batter should be slightly lumpy.

Step 5: Fill the Muffin Pan

Divide batter evenly among the muffin cups, filling each about ⅔ full.

Step 6: Bake

Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until:

Tops are lightly golden
A toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean

Allow muffins to cool for about 5 minutes.

Step 7: Make the Cinnamon Sugar Coating

In a shallow bowl combine:

Granulated sugar
Cinnamon

Mix well.

Brush each warm muffin generously with melted butter, then roll or sprinkle with the cinnamon sugar until fully coated.

Serve warm for the best donut-like experience.

Tips for Perfect Donut Muffins

Don’t overmix the batter.
Use room-temperature ingredients.
Coat muffins while they’re still warm so the cinnamon sugar sticks well.
Freshly grated nutmeg adds extra flavor.
Enjoy the same day for the softest texture.

Delicious Variations

Apple Cinnamon

Fold 1 cup finely diced apples into the batter.

Pumpkin Spice

Replace ¼ cup buttermilk with pumpkin purée and add pumpkin pie spice.

Chocolate Chip

Stir in ¾ cup mini chocolate chips.

Maple

Add 2 tablespoons maple syrup to the batter.

Filled Donut Muffins

Fill the center with:

Raspberry jam
Strawberry preserves
Lemon curd
Chocolate hazelnut spread

Storage

Room Temperature

Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Refrigerator

Keeps for up to 5 days.

Warm slightly before serving.

Freezer

Freeze (without coating if possible) for up to 3 months.

Thaw overnight and coat with butter and cinnamon sugar before serving.

Serving Suggestions

These muffins pair beautifully with:

Coffee
Hot chocolate
Chai tea
Milk
Apple cider
Fresh fruit
Yogurt

Approximate Nutrition (Per Muffin)

Calories: 240
Carbohydrates: 34g
Protein: 4g
Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Cholesterol: 35mg
Sodium: 190mg
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 18g

Nutrition values are approximate and may vary depending on ingredients used.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes! Bake the muffins a day in advance and store them in an airtight container. For the freshest flavor, add the butter and cinnamon sugar coating just before serving.

Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?
Yes. To make a quick substitute, add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to ¾ cup milk and let it sit for 5–10 minutes before using.

Why do these taste like donuts?
The combination of nutmeg in the batter and the warm butter-cinnamon sugar coating creates the classic flavor of old-fashioned cake donuts.

Can I make mini donut muffins?
Absolutely. Fill mini muffin tins about two-thirds full and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes, then coat them in butter and cinnamon sugar while warm.

cinnamon sugar donut muffins