These delightful mini muffins hold a special place in my heart, inspired by the cherished cinnamon sugar maple muffins my mom used to bake every holiday season. I can still vividly recall their comforting aroma and exquisite taste! This recipe is a modern, simplified rendition, capturing that nostalgic flavor while making them accessible for any occasion.

The magic truly happens when these warm, fluffy muffins emerge from the oven. Each one is gently dunked (or rather, *brushed*, as we’ll discuss later) in luscious melted butter, then generously coated in a shimmering mixture of granulated sugar and fragrant ground cinnamon. The result is a tender crumb enveloped by a sweet, crispy, and aromatic crust that’s absolutely heavenly. These bite-sized cinnamon sugar muffins are incredibly versatile – ideal for festive holiday gatherings, elegant brunches, or simply as a comforting treat to brighten any ordinary day. During the development of this recipe, I adapted the foundational muffin batter from my popular cinnamon swirl muffins. However, I deliberately adjusted the amount of baking powder. Unlike their larger counterparts, mini muffins don’t require an exaggerated dome-like rise; a slightly more compact yet equally tender texture is what we’re aiming for here, making them perfectly pop-able.

Should you be craving a seasonal twist, consider exploring my pumpkin sour cream muffins for a wonderful pumpkin-spiced version of these sweet treats. Or, if a more substantial cake is what you desire, my cinnamon swirl pound cake offers a similar comforting cinnamon flavor in a loaf format.

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Cinnamon Mini Muffins

Creating these delightful cinnamon mini muffins requires a handful of pantry staples, and the magic lies in understanding the role each ingredient plays. You’ll be surprised how a simple combination can yield such incredible flavor and texture!

• Eggs (Large, Room Temperature): Using large eggs provides the necessary structure and richness for your muffins. Ensuring they are at room temperature is crucial, as this allows them to emulsify better with other ingredients, resulting in a more uniform batter and a lighter, fluffier muffin.
• Vanilla Extract: A touch of high-quality vanilla extract elevates the overall flavor profile, complementing the warm notes of cinnamon and adding a subtle sweetness that rounds out the taste. Don’t skip it!
• Buttermilk (Room Temperature): This is your secret weapon for exceptionally moist and tender muffins. The acidity in buttermilk reacts with the baking soda, creating a lovely lift and a fine crumb. Like eggs, room temperature buttermilk integrates seamlessly into the batter, preventing clumping.
• Granulated Sugar: You’ll use sugar in two crucial places: within the muffin batter for sweetness and structure, and for the glorious cinnamon sugar coating that gives these muffins their signature appeal.
• Neutral Oil: Opt for a neutral-flavored oil like sunflower, vegetable, or canola oil. Oil contributes significantly to the muffins’ moisture, keeping them soft and tender for longer, especially compared to butter-based muffins which can sometimes dry out faster.
• All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of our muffins, all-purpose flour provides the primary structure. Ensure you measure it correctly – ideally by weight – to avoid a dense or dry muffin.
• Baking Powder & Baking Soda: These are your leavening agents. Baking powder provides the initial lift, while baking soda reacts with the acidic buttermilk to give an extra boost and a wonderfully tender texture. We use a carefully adjusted amount to achieve the perfect mini muffin rise without an overly domed top.
• Kosher Salt: A small amount of salt is vital for balancing the sweetness and enhancing all the other flavors in the muffins. It truly makes a difference in the final taste. (See notes below for important details on salt types!)
• Ground Cinnamon & Nutmeg: These are the stars of the show! Cinnamon provides that iconic warm, comforting spice, while a pinch of nutmeg adds depth and a hint of earthy aroma, making these muffins truly irresistible. You’ll use cinnamon in the batter and prominently in the exterior coating.
• Unsalted Butter (Melted): This is for brushing the warm muffins before rolling them in cinnamon sugar. The melted butter acts as a delicious adhesive for the sugar, while also adding an extra layer of richness and flavor to the exterior.

Gathering all your ingredients before you begin (mise en place) will make the baking process even smoother and more enjoyable!

1. Step 1: Whisk Wet Ingredients. In your largest mixing bowl, combine the room temperature eggs, neutral oil, buttermilk, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract. Use a whisk to vigorously combine these ingredients until they are smooth and well-incorporated. The sugar should begin to dissolve, and the mixture should appear light and uniform. Ensuring your eggs and buttermilk are at room temperature helps them blend more evenly and creates a more consistent batter.

2. Step 2: Add Dry Ingredients and Stir. To the wet mixture, add the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, kosher salt, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of ground nutmeg. Using a rubber spatula or a wooden spoon, gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet until just combined. It’s perfectly fine, and even desirable, if there are a few small lumps remaining in the batter. Overmixing at this stage can lead to dense, tough muffins, so stop stirring as soon as the flour streaks disappear.

3. Step 3: Prepare Pan and Bake. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven heats, generously grease a mini muffin pan with butter or non-stick spray, or line it with mini paper liners. Spoon or scoop the muffin batter into each cavity, filling them about ¾ full. This ensures they bake evenly and achieve a pleasing domed top without overflowing. Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 12-14 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.

4. Step 4: Cool, Butter, and Coat. Once baked, let the muffins cool in the pan for about 5 minutes. This allows them to set slightly before you transfer them. Carefully remove the warm muffins to a wire cooling rack to continue cooling for another 5-10 minutes. While they cool slightly, prepare your cinnamon sugar coating: in a shallow bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon until well combined. Once the muffins are still warm but not piping hot, gently brush each one with melted unsalted butter, ensuring all sides are covered. Immediately after brushing, roll each muffin in the cinnamon sugar mixture, pressing gently to adhere the coating. Enjoy these delights while they’re still wonderfully fresh and warm!

Expert Baking Tips for Your Best Cinnamon Mini Muffins Yet

Achieving bakery-quality cinnamon mini muffins at home is easier than you think, especially with a few insider tips and tricks. These pointers will help you perfect your technique and ensure every batch is a resounding success.

• Room Temperature Ingredients are Key: This is a golden rule in baking! Ensure your eggs and buttermilk are at room temperature. This allows them to emulsify much more easily with the fats (oil) and sugars, creating a smooth, homogenous batter. A well-mixed batter leads to a uniform texture and a higher, more tender rise in your muffins.
• Don’t Overmix the Batter: Once you’ve added the dry ingredients, mix just until no streaks of flour remain. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour too much, resulting in dense, tough muffins. A few small lumps are perfectly acceptable and often indicative of a tender muffin to come.
• Brushing with Butter vs. Dunking: When I extensively tested this recipe, I discovered a significant difference in results between brushing the mini muffins with melted butter and simply dunking them. Brushing is the superior method. If you dunk them directly into the melted butter, the warm muffins absorb too much liquid, becoming overly saturated and prone to falling apart or turning soggy. A light, even brush allows just enough butter to adhere the cinnamon sugar, creating that perfect crispy, sweet exterior without compromising the muffin’s delicate texture.
• Filling the Muffin Pan: For perfectly domed mini muffins, fill each cavity approximately ¾ full. Avoid overfilling, which can lead to overflow and uneven baking, or underfilling, which results in smaller, less appealing muffins.
• Need Fewer Muffins? Adjusting the Recipe: This recipe yields a generous batch of about 40 mini muffins, which is fantastic for parties or meal prepping. However, if you find yourself not needing quite so many, you can easily halve the recipe ingredients without any issues. All cooking times and temperatures should remain the same.
• Optimal Storage for Freshness: Because these cinnamon mini muffins are coated with melted butter and cinnamon sugar, they are undeniably at their absolute best when enjoyed on the day they are made. The coating can absorb moisture over time. If you do need to store them for a day or two, place them in a loosely covered paper bag or a container with the lid slightly ajar. I’ve found that sealing them completely in an airtight bag or container often traps moisture, making them soggy. For longer storage (up to 3 months), freeze the *uncoated* muffins in an airtight container. When ready to eat, thaw, warm slightly, then brush with melted butter and roll in cinnamon sugar.
• Check for Doneness: Mini muffins bake quickly! Always test for doneness by inserting a wooden skewer or toothpick into the center of a muffin. If it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, they’re ready. Avoid overbaking, which can dry them out.

Craving More Delicious Muffin Recipes?

If you’ve loved these delightful cinnamon mini muffins and are eager to explore more easy-to-make, flavorful muffin ideas, you’re in the right place! Muffins are incredibly versatile and perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a simple snack. Here are some other fantastic muffin recipes from my kitchen that I think you’ll adore, each bringing its own unique twist to your baking routine.

If you’ve made this recipe, make sure to leave a ⭐️ rating and review below! I love seeing when you make my recipes, so tag me on Instagram @alpineella so I can see! You can also follow along on Pinterest,Facebook and TikTok!

Cinnamon Mini Muffins

Ella Gilbert

Nutrition