Coffee Cake Muffins

If you’re craving a cozy, sweet treat that feels like a warm hug in every bite, you have to try these Coffee Cake Muffins. Moist, tender, and packed with a crumbly cinnamon streusel topping, these muffins are the perfect combination of breakfast comfort and bakery indulgence. Whether you want a quick morning bite or a delightful snack to enjoy with your coffee, this easy recipe will show you how to make moist, fluffy Coffee Cake Muffins with simple steps and easy ingredients that come together beautifully every time.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Effortlessly delicious: This recipe uses common pantry staples and simple techniques for a quick yet impressive outcome.
• Perfect texture: Every muffin turns out moist and fluffy, with a golden, tender crumb topped with a buttery streusel.
• Versatile snack: Ideal for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon treat, these muffins pair wonderfully with coffee or tea.
• Customizable flavours: The base recipe is open to add-ins and variations, making it easy to tailor to your taste.
• Great for gifting: Homemade coffee cake muffins always impress as thoughtful, edible gifts.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredients for these Coffee Cake Muffins are simple but essential, each contributing to that irresistible moistness, subtle sweetness, and crumbly topping that makes this recipe so special.

• All-purpose flour: Provides structure and softness.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender crumb.
• Baking powder: Leavens the muffins for a light, fluffy texture.
• Salt: Enhances the flavor balance.
• Ground cinnamon: Gives the classic coffee cake warm spice aroma.
• Milk: Adds moisture and helps dissolve the dry ingredients.
• Vegetable oil or melted butter: Keeps the muffins tender and rich.
• Vanilla extract: Brings depth to the flavor.
• Egg: Binds everything and contributes to the lovely texture.
• For the streusel topping: Brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and cold butter combine for a sweet, crunchy finish.

Variations for Coffee Cake Muffins

Feel free to customize these muffins to suit your preferences or dietary needs. This recipe is incredibly adaptable, so have fun experimenting with flavors and additions!

• Nutty upgrade: Add chopped walnuts or pecans to the streusel or batter for a crunchy texture.
• Fruit boost: Fold in fresh blueberries, diced apples, or mashed bananas for natural sweetness and moisture.
• Gluten-free twist: Substitute the all-purpose flour with your favorite gluten-free blend for a safe and tasty alternative.
• Vegan version: Use plant-based milk, flax egg, and coconut oil to make these muffins vegan-friendly.
• Spice it up: Experiment with nutmeg or cardamom in the batter for a subtle but delicious flavor shift.

How to Make Coffee Cake Muffins

Step 1: Prepare the Streusel Topping

In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, flour, ground cinnamon, and cold diced butter. Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to blend until coarse crumbs form—this will give your muffins that signature crumbly top.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients for the Muffins

In a large bowl, combine all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Whisk everything together to ensure even distribution of the leavening agents and spices.

Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, beat the egg lightly then add milk, vegetable oil or melted butter, and vanilla extract. Stir well until combined and smooth.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture and gently fold together using a spatula. Be careful not to overmix—the batter should be slightly lumpy to keep the muffins tender and fluffy.

Step 5: Fill Muffin Cups

Spoon batter into a greased or paper-lined muffin tin, filling each about two-thirds full. Then, generously sprinkle the streusel topping over each muffin to cover the surface.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The streusel should be golden and slightly crisp.

Step 7: Cool and Enjoy

Let muffins cool in the tin for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve warm or at room temperature for the best flavor and texture.

Pro Tips for Making Coffee Cake Muffins

• Don’t overmix: Mixing too much develops gluten and creates dense muffins rather than fluffy ones.
• Measure flour correctly: Spoon and level the flour into your measuring cup to avoid adding too much, which can dry out your muffins.
• Use cold butter for streusel: Cold butter creates that perfect crumbly texture for the topping.
• Add streusel generously: It not only adds crunch but also a burst of sweet cinnamon flavor on top.
• Room temperature ingredients: Using eggs and milk at room temp helps the batter come together more smoothly.

How to Serve Coffee Cake Muffins

Garnishes

Top your muffins with a light dusting of powdered sugar, a drizzle of glaze, or a sprinkle of chopped nuts for an extra special touch.

Side Dishes

Pair these Coffee Cake Muffins with a fresh fruit salad, creamy yogurt, or simply your favorite hot beverage for a balanced morning or snack time.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve muffins warm in a basket lined with a colorful cloth napkin for a charming breakfast display, or slice them in half and stuff with cream cheese or jam for a delightful twist.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover Coffee Cake Muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain freshness and softness.

Freezing

Wrap muffins individually in plastic wrap and freeze in a sealed bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or warm gently before eating.

Reheating

Warm muffins for 10-15 seconds in the microwave or 5-7 minutes in a 350°F (175°C) oven to bring back that fresh-baked softness and aroma.

FAQs

Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose?

Yes, you can substitute whole wheat flour, but it may make the muffins slightly denser and add a nuttier flavor; consider using half whole wheat and half all-purpose for balance.

How do I keep the muffins moist?

Using oil or melted butter in the recipe and avoiding overmixing the batter helps keep the muffins moist and tender.

Can I make these muffins dairy-free?

Absolutely! Substitute the milk with plant-based milk like almond or oat milk and use oil instead of butter in the streusel for a dairy-free treat.

Is it possible to make these low sugar?

Yes, you can reduce the sugar slightly or swap for natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup, but keep the streusel sweetness balanced to maintain that classic coffee cake feel.

What’s the best way to reheat these muffins?

Microwaving for a few seconds or warming in the oven briefly restores their fresh-baked softness and enhances the aroma, making them taste just like freshly made.

Final Thoughts

There’s something incredibly comforting about homemade Coffee Cake Muffins, and now you have a fail-proof recipe to make them anytime you want. From the moist crumb to the sweet cinnamon topping, each muffin feels like a little celebration of flavor. So grab your ingredients, preheat that oven, and treat yourself to these delightful muffins today—you’ll be so glad you did!

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