Go Back
Adam

Cinnamon Roll Muffins Recipe – Sweet, Soft & Delicious Bakery-Style Treats

Imagine all the flavors of a warm, gooey cinnamon roll—buttery cinnamon sugar swirls, sweet vanilla glaze, and a soft fluffy bite—in the easy-to-make form of a muffin. These Cinnamon Roll Muffins are your perfect solution when you’re craving cinnamon rolls but don’t want the fuss of yeast and rising dough.With a simple batter, a rich cinnamon-sugar filling, and a sweet glaze drizzle, these muffins deliver bakery-quality flavor straight from your home oven. No pork. No alcohol. Just sweet, cinnamon-spiced goodness ready in under an hour.
Prep Time 15 minutes
bake time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 12 muffins

Ingredients
  

🥚 Fresh Produce
  • 1 large egg
🥣 Dry Ingredients
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 cup powdered sugar for glaze
🧈 Dairy
  • ½ cup unsalted butter melted
  • cup milk equals ½ cup + 2 tablespoons
🍯 Flavoring
  • teaspoons vanilla extract divided: ½ tsp for batter, 1 tsp for glaze

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Hand mixer or whisk
  • Muffin tin (12-count)
  • Muffin liners or non-stick spray
  • Measuring cups & spoons
  • Small saucepan (for glaze)
  • Spatula

Method
 

Step 1: Preheat & Prepare Pan
  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with liners or grease well with non-stick spray.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
  1. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, granulated sugar, and ½ teaspoon cinnamon.
Step 3: Prepare the Wet Ingredients
  1. In a separate bowl, beat egg, melted butter, milk, and ½ teaspoon vanilla extract until smooth.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry
  1. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and mix until just combined. Do not overmix—the batter should be thick and slightly lumpy.
Step 5: Make Cinnamon Sugar Filling
  1. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar and remaining cinnamon.
Step 6: Assemble the Muffins
  1. Spoon a tablespoon of batter into each muffin cup.
  2. Sprinkle a generous teaspoon of the cinnamon-sugar filling over the batter.
  3. Top with another tablespoon of batter to cover the filling.
  4. Sprinkle remaining cinnamon-sugar mix evenly over the tops of all muffins.
Step 7: Bake
  1. Bake for 15–18 minutes, or until muffins are golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean.
  2. Let muffins cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
Step 8: Prepare Vanilla Glaze
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1–2 tablespoons milk until smooth and pourable.
Step 9: Glaze & Serve
  1. Drizzle glaze over warm muffins and enjoy!

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating
Room Temperature:
Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Refrigerator:
Store for up to 5 days — microwave for 10–15 seconds to warm before serving.
Freezing:
Freeze unfrosted muffins for up to 2 months. Thaw and glaze fresh before serving.
🥄 Variations
Cream Cheese Glaze: Substitute half of the powdered sugar with softened cream cheese for a richer glaze.
Nutty Cinnamon Swirl: Add ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts to the filling.
Chocolate Chip Swirl: Sprinkle mini chocolate chips with the cinnamon sugar.
Spiced-Up Version: Add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the cinnamon filling.
Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
Dairy-Free Option: Use plant-based butter and almond milk.
Vegan-Friendly: Replace egg with a flax egg and use dairy-free substitutes.
Extra Gooey: Add a dollop of cinnamon-sugar paste (butter, cinnamon, brown sugar mix) in the middle.
Mini Muffins: Bake in a mini muffin tin and reduce bake time to 10–12 minutes.
Apple Cinnamon Twist: Add a few spoonfuls of finely diced apples into the batter.
❓ 10 FAQs
What’s the texture of these muffins?
Soft and fluffy with a sweet, gooey cinnamon swirl and a crisp sugar top.
Do I need to use liners?
Liners make cleanup easier, but greasing the pan well also works.
Can I skip the glaze?
Yes, but it adds a lovely finish. You can dust with powdered sugar instead.
How can I make them richer, like cinnamon rolls?
Add a tablespoon of sour cream or Greek yogurt to the batter for extra moistness.
What kind of cinnamon should I use?
Ground Ceylon cinnamon for a milder flavor, or Cassia cinnamon for boldness.
Are these muffins overly sweet?
They are perfectly balanced—not as sweet as cinnamon rolls but just right with the glaze.
Can I make them ahead for a brunch?
Yes, bake a day before and glaze just before serving.
Can I make jumbo muffins?
Yes, use a jumbo muffin tin and adjust baking time to 20–22 minutes.
How can I make the cinnamon flavor stronger?
Add a touch of cinnamon extract to the glaze.
Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely! This recipe scales up easily for larger batches.
🏁 Conclusion
These Cinnamon Roll Muffins are the perfect fusion of cinnamon roll decadence and muffin simplicity. No yeast. No rising time. Just soft, swirled, bakery-style muffins that’ll fill your kitchen with warm, cinnamon-spiced aroma in no time.
It’s a pork-free, alcohol-free, family-favorite recipe you’ll be making on repeat. Perfect for brunch, dessert, or a sweet afternoon snack!