Coffee Cake Muffins

If you’re looking for a simple yet scrumptious coffee cake muffin recipe, you’re in the right place! These soft and moist Coffee Cake Muffins capture all the cozy goodness of classic coffee cake but in a perfectly portable muffin shape. Expect fluffy texture, a sweet cinnamon ribbon inside, plus a buttery, crumbly streusel topping that makes every bite special. They’re just right alongside your morning cup of coffee or for a little afternoon pick-me-up!

Just a heads up — these cinnamon crumb muffins might quickly become your family’s go-to treat! I spent quite a bit of time tweaking this muffin spin on the classic coffee cake. Imagine tender, buttery muffins with a cinnamon sugar swirl and a golden, melt-in-your-mouth streusel topping. We tested it plenty of times (and had a bit of happy kitchen chaos) before landing on this perfect version. Plus, these muffins freeze wonderfully and reheat fast—ideal for those busy mornings. If you love this, definitely try my Copycat Cinnabon Coffee Cake next!

Ingredients Needed for Streusel Muffins

Here’s what you’ll need for these irresistible cinnamon coffee cake muffins. Don’t forget to peek at the full ingredient list in the recipe card for precise measurements!

• Light Brown Sugar – Gives the muffins a warm molasses sweetness while keeping them soft and tender
• Pecans – Chopped for a delightful crunch and nutty touch (feel free to swap with walnuts!)
• Cinnamon – That cozy spice that makes all the magic happen
• Flour – Regular all-purpose flour works great here; gluten-free 1:1 blends are an easy swap too
• Sugar – Granulated sugar to balance out the flavor in the batter
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda, Salt – This classic trio helps the muffins rise beautifully and stay soft inside
• Egg – One large egg at room temperature to give the muffins structure and moisture
• Milk – Any milk you prefer will work, whether dairy or your favorite plant-based option
• Oil – I stick with canola oil for a neutral flavor, but vegetable, coconut, or avocado oil are all great alternatives
• Powdered Sugar – For that simple and sweet vanilla glaze to finish things off
• Vanilla Extract – Using a good-quality pure vanilla extract brings a lovely depth to the glaze

How to Make the Best Coffee Cake Muffins

Step 1. Start by preheating your oven to 400°F and line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners. In a small bowl, stir together the light brown sugar, chopped pecans, and cinnamon to make your delicious streusel topping. Set it aside while you whip up the batter.

Step 2. Grab a large bowl and whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This dry mix is your muffin’s foundation, so make sure it’s well combined.

Step 3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, and oil until smooth and fully combined. Pour this wet mixture into the dry ingredients and gently fold the batter just until everything comes together. Remember, don’t overmix! That’s how you keep your muffins tender and soft.

Step 4. Now for the fun layering! Spoon about one tablespoon of batter into each muffin liner. Sprinkle about a teaspoon of the cinnamon-pecan streusel over the batter. Then add two more tablespoons of batter to each cup, and top off the muffins generously with the remaining streusel. This layering gives the muffins that perfect texture and flavor bite in every forkful!

Step 5. Bake your muffins for about 22 to 24 minutes or until a toothpick poked in the center comes out clean. Let the muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. In the meantime, whisk up your glaze ingredients so you can drizzle it over the muffins once they’re slightly warm.

Step 6. These muffins taste best when served warm. Whether fresh from the oven or reheated later, every bite delivers that perfect cozy comfort you’re craving!

Storing Quick Coffee Cake Muffins

Room Temperature: Keep your muffins fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. I like to place a paper towel on top inside the container to soak up any extra moisture and keep them soft longer. Refrigerator: You can store muffins in the fridge for up to 6 days, though they might dry out a bit. If that happens, just warm them with a little butter in the microwave to bring back their fresh-baked softness. Freezer: Freeze the muffins by first placing them on a baking sheet for a quick flash freeze. After they’re firm, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They keep for up to 3 months frozen! Defrost and microwave for 30 to 60 seconds for a speedy warm treat.

Tips for Bakery-Style Muffins

• Choose bakery-style muffin liners – Taller liners help support that crumbly streusel topping and give you tall, beautiful muffins.
• Don’t overfill the muffin cups – Filling liners about three-quarters full prevents overflow and keeps shape neat.
• Switch up the mix-ins – Swap pecans with walnuts, or toss in mini chocolate chips for a fun flavor upgrade.
• Want less sweetness? – Skip the glaze drizzle—but honestly, that delicate vanilla glaze on top really takes these muffins to another level! 😉
• Try fresh fruit additions – Fold in fresh berries or little apple chunks for an extra juicy, bright twist.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are coffee cake muffins healthy?

These muffins are definitely more of a treat than a health food, and that’s totally okay! They’re a sweet way to indulge now and then. To make breakfast balanced, try pairing a muffin with some protein—my ham and cheese quiche pairs beautifully.

What do coffee cake muffins taste like?

They’re sweet and buttery with a warm cinnamon swirl inside and a crunchy streusel topping. It’s just like your favorite coffee shop’s coffee cake, but in grab-and-go muffin form!

What makes muffins moist and tender?

The trick is to mix the batter gently—just enough to combine ingredients. Overmixing can make muffins tough. Also, watching your bake time carefully and testing with a toothpick helps keep them soft and moist.

Is there coffee in coffee cake muffins?

Surprisingly, no! These muffins don’t have any coffee. The name comes from the classic coffee cake, which is a cinnamon-flavored cake typically enjoyed with coffee.

These Coffee Cake Muffins strike the perfect balance between soft, cinnamon-spiced cake and a crumbly sweet topping. Whether you’re enjoying weekend brunch or a cozy snack, this recipe never disappoints. Don’t forget to save, star, and pin this recipe, and sign up for my newsletter so you can get delicious new recipes sent right to your inbox!

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