Welcome, friends! I’m overjoyed you’re here to try my Grandma’s Fluffy Cinnamon Sugar Donut Muffins. This little sunshine-in-a-bite recipe is lovingly inspired by my nonna’s kitchen, where morning light danced over flour-dusted counters and the sweet aroma of cinnamon filled the air. Sprinkle your sugar and grab a warm cup of coffee—I promise fluff you’re gonna love! If you enjoy this, don’t forget to subscribe for more heartwarming recipes delivered right to your inbox.
Overview of Recipe Content
What It Is & When to Serve
These fluffy donut muffins capture the magic of glazed donuts baked into an easy-to-make muffin. Ideal for weekend brunch, school snacks, or holiday mornings.
Why You’ll Love It
They bake up with a tender crumb and get coated in a warm cinnamon-sugar hug. No frying, no fuss—just pure cozy comfort.
Flavor & Seasonal Fit
Sweet, warmly spiced, and incredibly fluffy. Perfect for fall gatherings, cozy afternoons, or any moment you crave nostalgic sweetness.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup milk
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted & slightly cooled
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Tools Needed
- Muffin tin (12‑count)
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk & spatula
- Small bowl for cinnamon sugar
- Cooling rack
Substitutions & Add‑Ins
- Use plant-based milk to make them dairy-free
- Swap half the sugar for brown sugar for deeper flavor
- Add ½ cup mini chocolate chips or chopped nuts
How to Make Grandma’s Fluffy Cinnamon Sugar Donut Muffins
- Preheat & Prep
Preheat your oven to 375 °F (190 °C). Grease or line a 12‑cup muffin tin. - Combine Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon. - Whisk Wet Ingredients
In another bowl, whisk the egg, milk, melted butter, and vanilla until smooth and inviting. - Mix Together
Pour the wet mix into the dry. Gently fold until just combined—overmixing will make them dense, and we want cloud‑like fluff! - Fill Muffin Cups
Spoon batter into the tin, about ¾ full. - Bake
Bake 15–18 minutes until golden and a toothpick comes out clean. Cool in the pan 5 minutes before transferring to a rack. - Cinnamon‑Sugar Coating
While cooling, mix ¼ cup granulated sugar and 1 tsp cinnamon in a bowl. Lightly brush muffins with melted butter, then toss them in the mixture to coat warmly. - Enjoy
Serve immediately—your kitchen will smell like love and Saturday mornings.
What to Serve with Grandma’s Fluffy Cinnamon Sugar Donut Muffins
- A glass of cold milk or silky latte
- Fresh seasonal fruit, like berries or apple slices
- A dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence
- Brunch spread: scrambled eggs, bacon, or a light greens salad
Tips for Making It Perfect
- Don’t overmix – Fold until just combined for perfect fluff.
- Measure flour properly – Spoon and level to avoid dryness.
- Coat while warm – Muffins retain heat to hold the cinnamon-sugar well.
- Prep ahead – You can mix dry ingredients a day in advance and store tightly.
Storage Instructions
- Room Temp: Keep in airtight container or zip bag for 2 days.
- Refrigerator: Store up to 5 days. Warm in microwave 10–12 seconds before serving.
- Freeze: After coating, freeze in layers separated by parchment for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temp or microwave briefly.
General Information
Cinnamon sugar treats have roots in American diner culture—guaranteed to conjure images of coffee shops, family Sunday mornings, and homemade love. These muffins bring that nostalgia in a healthier, oven-baked version!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use whole wheat flour?
A: Yes, you can substitute up to half. Expect denser texture and nutty flavor.
Q: Are they vegan-friendly?
A: Use plant-based milk and an egg replacer like flax egg, and swap butter for vegan butter.
Q: Can I make mini muffins?
A: Absolutely! Bake time will drop to about 10–12 minutes.
Q: How do I make them extra cinnamony?
A: Stir an extra ½ tsp cinnamon into the batter and add more to the sugar coating.
Q: Do muffins need to cool before coating?
A: Let them cool just five minutes so sugar sticks better but avoids sogginess.
Conclusion
There you have it—Grandma’s Fluffy Cinnamon Sugar Donut Muffins bring the exact sweet warmth you’ve dreamed of, minus the messy fry—but every bit as comforting! If you loved this, check out these recipes:
- Soft Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls
- Chewy Oatmeal Blueberry Muffins
- Homemade Apple Fritters
- Classic Banana Bread
Thank you for baking with me—drop a comment or share your photo on Pinterest and tag me @poulefrecipe!
Nutritional Information
| Per Muffin | Calories | Carbs | Fat | Protein | Sugar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Approx. | 180 kcal | 25 g | 7 g | 3 g | 12 g |
Interactive Elements
Leave a Review or Comment
Let me know how yours turned out—did they remind you of donut day at home?
Share on Social Media
Share a photo on Pinterest or Instagram with the hashtag #PoulefsDonutMuffins and tag @poulefrecipe.
Print
Grandma’s Fluffy Cinnamon Sugar Donut Muffins
- Total Time: 28 mins
- Yield: 12 muffins 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Fluffy, oven‑baked donut‑style muffins coated in warm cinnamon sugar—perfect for sweet mornings with minimal fuss!
Ingredients
1 ½ cups all‑purpose flour
½ cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 large egg
½ cup milk
¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375 °F (190 °C) and prep muffin tin.
2. In a bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
3. In another bowl, whisk egg, milk, melted butter, and vanilla.
4. Fold wet into dry until just combined.
5. Spoon batter into muffin tin, about ¾ full.
6. Bake 15–18 minutes until golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
7. Brush warm muffins with butter and toss in cinnamon‑sugar mixture.
Notes
Don’t overmix batter—fold gently for airy muffins.
Measure flour properly by spooning and leveling.
Coat muffins while still warm for best sugar adhesion.
You can prepare the dry mix ahead for speedy mornings.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 18 mins
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 muffin
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 12
- Sodium: 200
- Fat: 7
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Unsaturated Fat: 3
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 3
- Cholesterol: 35
