Irresistible Doughnut-Flavored Muffins Recipe You’ll Love
Soft, pillowy, and bursting with flavor, these doughnut-inspired muffins will revolutionize your breakfast routine.
Warm spices dance through the tender crumb, creating a heavenly muffins that taste like doughnuts experience that feels both comforting and indulgent.
Each bite promises a delightful blend of nostalgia and pure deliciousness.
The secret lies in the carefully balanced ingredients that mimic the beloved doughnut texture.
Cinnamon and nutmeg weave their magic, transforming a simple muffin into a decadent treat.
A light sugar coating adds the perfect crisp exterior that crackles with each bite.
Prepare to fall in love with this irresistible recipe that turns an ordinary morning into an extraordinary culinary moment.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 18 minutes
Total Time: 28 minutes
Calories: 215 kcal
Servings: 13
Muffins That Taste Like Doughnuts Ingredient List
For Wet Ingredients:
Butter: Provides rich, creamy flavor and helps create a tender muffin texture with a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth quality.
Sugar: Sweetens the muffins and helps create a golden-brown exterior with delightful caramelization.
Egg: Binds ingredients together and adds moisture and structure to the muffin.
Milk: Ensures a soft, delicate crumb and enhances the overall moisture of the muffins.
Vanilla: Adds warm, aromatic depth and complements the sweet, doughnut-like flavor profile.
For Dry Ingredients:
Flour: Forms the base of the muffin, providing structure and creating a soft, cake-like texture.
Baking Powder: Helps the muffins rise and become light and fluffy.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances the overall flavor of the muffins.
Nutmeg: Provides a warm, slightly sweet spice that mimics traditional doughnut flavoring.
For Coating:
Butter (Melted): Creates a sticky surface for the cinnamon-sugar mixture to adhere to, giving a doughnut-like exterior.
Cinnamon, Sugar: Adds a sweet, spicy coating that reminds you of classic doughnuts, creating a delicious crispy exterior.
Equipment Needed For Muffins That Taste Like Doughnuts
Muffin Tin: Essential for baking muffins with perfect shape and size.
Large Mixing Bowl: Needed for creaming butter and sugar, and mixing wet ingredients.
Separate Bowl: Used for whisking dry ingredients together.
Electric Mixer or Whisk: Great for creaming butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
Toothpick or Cake Tester: Helps check if muffins are fully baked.
Pastry Brush: Perfect for coating warm muffins with melted butter.
Cooling Rack: Allows muffins to cool evenly without getting soggy.
Steps To Make Muffins That Taste Like Doughnuts
Warm Up the Oven Kick things off by heating your oven to a cozy 350F and preparing your muffin tin with either paper liners or a generous grease coating.
Create the Creamy Base Whip together butter and sugar until they become fluffy and light, creating a dreamy foundation for your muffins.
Mix Wet Ingredients Add the egg, then gently blend in milk and vanilla, creating a smooth and fragrant liquid mixture.
Combine Dry Components In a separate bowl, blend flour, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg until perfectly integrated.
Merge Mixtures Gradually fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients, stirring carefully to keep the batter tender and avoiding overmixing.
Fill and Bake Pour batter into muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full, then slide the tin into the preheated oven.
Transform Into Doughnut Muffins Once baked and golden, immediately brush warm muffins with melted butter and roll in a cinnamon-sugar coating for that irresistible doughnut-like finish.
Enjoy Your Creation Let muffins cool slightly, then savor the delightful treat that combines the best of muffins and doughnuts.
Smart Tips For Muffins That Taste Like Doughnuts
Gentle Mixing Magic: Stir ingredients just until combined to keep muffins tender and prevent tough, dense textures.
Butter Brush Brilliance: Warm butter helps cinnamon-sugar coating stick better and enhances the doughnut-like flavor profile.
Gluten-Free Option: Swap regular flour with a gluten-free all-purpose blend for those with wheat sensitivities.
Flavor Adventure: Experiment with different spices like cardamom or pumpkin pie spice instead of nutmeg for unique taste variations.
Healthier Twist: Replace some butter with Greek yogurt to reduce calories and add moisture to the muffins.
Fun Ways To Serve Muffins That Taste Like Doughnuts
Breakfast Bliss: Pair these doughnut-like muffins with a steaming cup of coffee or freshly brewed tea for a delightful morning treat. The warm spices complement hot beverages perfectly.
Sweet Afternoon Snack: Arrange these muffins on a rustic wooden platter with fresh berries and a dollop of whipped cream for an elegant mid-day indulgence that looks as good as it tastes.
Dessert Delight: Serve these muffins slightly warmed with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or drizzle with caramel sauce for a decadent after-dinner dessert that will impress family and friends.
Brunch Centerpiece: Create a beautiful brunch spread by placing these muffins alongside other breakfast favorites like fresh fruit, scrambled eggs, and crispy bacon for a crowd-pleasing meal.
Storing Muffins That Taste Like Doughnuts
Fridge-Fresh Storage: Keep muffins in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Wrap each muffin individually in plastic wrap to maintain moisture and prevent drying out.
Counter-Top Comfort: Store at room temperature in a sealed container for 2-3 days. Place a paper towel beneath the muffins to absorb excess moisture and maintain their delightful texture.
Freezer Friendly Technique: Freeze completely cooled muffins in a freezer-safe bag for 2-3 months. Separate each muffin with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make thawing easier.
Reheating Magic: Warm refrigerated or frozen muffins in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or in a preheated 350F oven for 5-7 minutes. This restores their soft, fresh-baked taste and inviting aroma.
Cinnamon sugar doughnut muffins blend classic bakery comfort with homemade charm. Warm spices and buttery crumb make these treats irresistible for breakfast or afternoon snacking.
Ingredients
Scale
1 ½ cups (360 ml) all-purpose flour
½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
1 large egg
½ cup (120 ml) milk
1 ½ tsps baking powder
¼ cup (60 g) unsalted butter, melted
½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar (for topping)
1 tsp vanilla extract
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp ground nutmeg (optional)
1 tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and prepare muffin tin with paper liners or greased surface.
Butter Mixture: Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, creating a smooth foundational texture.
Liquid Integration: Blend egg, milk, and vanilla extract into the butter mixture, developing a rich, cohesive liquid base.
Dry Ingredient Combination: Whisk flour, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg in a separate bowl, ensuring uniform distribution of dry components.
Batter Formation: Fold wet and dry ingredients together with minimal stirring, maintaining a tender, light batter consistency to prevent dense muffins.
Filling and Baking: Portion batter into muffin cups, filling two-thirds full, then bake for 15-18 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Finishing Touch: While muffins are still warm, brush with melted butter and roll in cinnamon-sugar mixture, transforming them into a doughnut-inspired delicacy.
Notes
Prevent Overmixing: Stir batter gently to keep muffins light and fluffy, stopping just when dry ingredients are incorporated to avoid tough, dense texture.
Temperature Precision: Use room temperature butter and egg for smoother batter and more consistent rising, ensuring even baking and tender crumb.
Cinnamon Sugar Coating: Apply butter and sugar mixture while muffins are still warm for better absorption and more intense flavor coverage.
Ingredient Substitution Options: Replace regular milk with almond or oat milk for dairy-free version; use gluten-free flour blend for wheat-sensitive diets without compromising taste and texture.
Recipe Testing and Development, Kitchen Hacks and Time-Saving Tips, Flavor Pairing and Ingredient Selection, Engaging Food Writing and Storytelling
Education
Johnson & Wales University
Program: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts
Focus: A hands-on curriculum emphasizing farm-to-table cooking, local ingredient sourcing, and creative menu development. Students gained real-world restaurant experience, learning both classic techniques and modern approaches to sustainable cooking.
John Nicholson honed his skills at Johnson & Wales University, learning how to use fresh, local ingredients and down-to-earth techniques to make cooking simple and satisfying.
His recipes blend Southern comfort flavors with a modern touch, inviting everyone to cook with ease and confidence.
Living in Charleston, John takes cues from the city’s lively food scene, local markets, and seasonal produce. He’s all about making meals stress-free through easy tips, flavor pairings, and fun experiments in the kitchen
John Nicholson
Lead Writer & Recipe Developer
Expertise
Recipe Testing and Development, Kitchen Hacks and Time-Saving Tips, Flavor Pairing and Ingredient Selection, Engaging Food Writing and Storytelling
Education
Johnson & Wales University
John Nicholson honed his skills at Johnson & Wales University, learning how to use fresh, local ingredients and down-to-earth techniques to make cooking simple and satisfying.
His recipes blend Southern comfort flavors with a modern touch, inviting everyone to cook with ease and confidence.
Living in Charleston, John takes cues from the city’s lively food scene, local markets, and seasonal produce. He’s all about making meals stress-free through easy tips, flavor pairings, and fun experiments in the kitchen