Cinnamon Streusel Muffins That Will Make You Swoon
Indulge in the best cinnamon streusel muffins! Fluffy, moist, and topped with a buttery crumb, these muffins are perfect for breakfast or a sweet treat!
Ingredients
For the Muffins:
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour – The base for soft fluffy muffins.
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder – Helps the muffins rise beautifully.
- ½ tsp baking soda – Ensures a tender crumb.
- ½ tsp salt – Balances the sweetness.
- ½ cup softened unsalted butter – Provides moisture and richness.
- ¾ cup granulated sugar – Sweetens the muffins just right.
- 2 large eggs – Binds the ingredients together.
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract improves the flavor in general.
- ½ cup of milk – This keeps the muffins soft and moist.
For the Streusel Topping:
- ½ cup all-purpose flour – Creates the crumbly texture.
- ½ cup brown sugar packed – Adds a deep, caramel-like sweetness.
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon – The star ingredient for a warm spicy flavor.
- ¼ cup unsalted butter cold, cubed – Helps form the buttery crumbs.
Optional Add-Ins:
- Chopped pecans or walnuts – For a delightful crunch.
- A drizzle of powdered sugar glaze – For an extra touch of sweetness.
Instructions
Step 1: Get Ready to Bake
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). A 12-cup muffin tray can be lightly oiled with non-stick spray or lined with paper liners.
- Prepare the streusel topping: Combine ½ cup all-purpose flour, ½ cup brown sugar, and 1 tsp ground cinnamon in a bowl. Add ¼ cup cold, cubed butter and mix with a fork or pastry cutter until the mixture forms coarse crumbs. Chill the topping in the refrigerator to keep it firm.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
- In a medium bowl, whisk together:
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- This ensures the dry ingredients are evenly distributed for perfect muffins.
Step 3: Cream the Wet Ingredients
- In a large mixing bowl, beat ½ cup unsalted butter and ¾ cup granulated sugar with an electric mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
- One by one, add 2 big eggs, thoroughly mixing after each addition. Stir in 1 tsp vanilla extract for a delightful aroma.
Step 4: Combine and Fold
- Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, alternating with ½ cup milk. Start and end with the dry ingredients. For tender muffins, whisk just until the mixture comes together, being careful not to overmix.
Step 5: Fill the Muffin Tin
- Fill each muffin cup about two-thirds of the way to the top with batter.
Step 6: Add the Streusel Topping
- Sprinkle the chilled streusel mixture generously over each muffin, pressing it lightly into the batter so it sticks during baking.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
- Bake it for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. For even results, rotate the pan halfway through baking.
- After five minutes of cooling in the muffin tray, move the muffins to a wire rack to finish cooling.
Pro Tip:
- For extra moisture, add 1-2 tablespoons of sour cream or Greek yogurt to the batter. It enhances the texture without altering the flavor!