Coffee cake muffins are the perfect homemade breakfast treat that brings together the best of two beloved baked goods. These tender muffins feature a soft, buttery cake base topped with a generous layer of sweet cinnamon crumble that makes every bite irresistible.
I still remember the first time I made these muffins on a lazy Sunday morning. The smell of cinnamon and butter filled my kitchen, and my family came running before they were even out of the oven. That’s the magic of these best breakfast baked goods.
What makes this recipe special is how it transforms simple ingredients into quick morning treats that taste like they came from a bakery. The crumb topping adds the signature coffee cake texture we all love, while the muffin format makes them perfectly portable for busy mornings.
These cinnamon muffins with crumb topping are easier to make than traditional coffee cake. You don’t need any fancy equipment or complicated techniques. Just two bowls, a whisk, and about 30 minutes from start to finish.
Table of Contents
Ingredients
For the Muffins:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 3/4 cup whole milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
For the Coffee Cake Streusel Topping:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. You probably have most of these ingredients in your pantry right now. The streusel topping is what transforms regular muffins into crumb cake muffins that rival any bakery version.
Use room temperature eggs for better mixing. Cold eggs can cause the melted butter to solidify, creating lumps in your batter. Whole milk gives the best moisture, but you can use 2% milk if that’s what you have on hand.
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease it well. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup easier.
Step 2: Make the Streusel Topping
In a medium bowl, mix flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Add the cold butter pieces. Use a fork or your fingers to work the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Set aside. This cinnamon crunch topping should be lumpy, not smooth.
Step 3: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Make sure everything is well combined with no lumps.
Step 4: Combine Wet Ingredients
In another bowl, whisk the melted butter, eggs, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. The mixture should look pale yellow and slightly frothy.
Step 5: Bring It Together
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir gently with a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined. The batter should look slightly lumpy. Overmixing creates tough, dense muffins, so stop as soon as you don’t see dry flour anymore.
Step 6: Fill and Top
Divide the batter evenly among the 12 muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full. Sprinkle the streusel topping generously over each muffin. Don’t be shy with the topping. It’s what makes these coffee cake cupcakes special.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Bake for 18 to 22 minutes. The muffins are done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. The tops should be golden brown and spring back when lightly touched.
Step 8: Cool and Enjoy
Let the muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack. This prevents soggy bottoms and helps the streusel set properly.
Pro Tips and Variations
Making Moist Coffee Cake Muffins Every Time
Don’t overbake these muffins. Check them at 18 minutes. Overbaking is the number one reason muffins turn out dry. They’ll continue cooking slightly as they cool.
Measure flour correctly by spooning it into your measuring cup and leveling it off. Scooping directly from the bag packs too much flour, making dense muffins.
Variations to Try
Nutty Cinnamon Crumble Muffins: Add 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts to the streusel topping. Toast the nuts first for deeper flavor.
Berry Coffee Muffins: Fold 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries into the batter. Don’t thaw frozen berries. They’ll bleed less color into the batter.
Chocolate Chip Twist: Mix 3/4 cup mini chocolate chips into the batter for a sweet surprise. Kids love this version.
Spiced Version: Add 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg and 1/4 teaspoon cardamom to the batter for warm, cozy flavors.
Storage Tips
Store these muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They stay remarkably moist thanks to the butter and milk in the recipe.
Freeze them for up to 3 months. Wrap each muffin individually in plastic wrap, then place them all in a freezer bag. Thaw at room temperature or microwave for 20 to 30 seconds.
Make-Ahead Strategy
Prepare the streusel topping the night before and store it in the refrigerator. You can even mix the dry ingredients ahead of time. In the morning, just combine wet and dry ingredients, assemble, and bake fresh.
Serving Suggestions
These quick coffee cake recipes shine brightest at breakfast, but they’re versatile enough for any time of day.
Classic Breakfast: Serve warm with a pat of butter and your morning coffee. The butter melts into the warm muffin, creating little pockets of richness.
Brunch Spread: Arrange these different muffin recipes on a platter with fresh fruit, yogurt, and juice. They’re perfect for entertaining because you can make them ahead.
Afternoon Snack: Pair with hot tea or iced coffee. They’re sweet enough to satisfy cravings but not so heavy that they’ll weigh you down.
Dessert Option: Warm a muffin for 15 seconds in the microwave and serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The contrast of warm cake and cold ice cream is heavenly.
Beverage Pairings
The cinnamon in these muffins pairs beautifully with coffee, obviously. But try them with chai tea, hot chocolate, or even apple cider. The spices complement each other perfectly.
Add Extra Touches
Drizzle cooled muffins with a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk. Use 1 cup powdered sugar mixed with 2 tablespoons milk for a thin, sweet coating.
Dust with powdered sugar for an elegant presentation at brunch gatherings.
Conclusion
Learning how to make coffee muffins at home changes your morning routine. These crumb cake muffins deliver bakery quality without the price tag or the trip to the store.
The recipe is forgiving enough for beginners but delivers results that will impress experienced bakers. The combination of tender cake and crunchy streusel topping creates the perfect texture contrast in every bite.
Make a batch this weekend. Your kitchen will smell amazing, and you’ll have delicious muffins ready for the week ahead. Once you taste these moist coffee cake muffins fresh from the oven, you’ll understand why they’ve become a favorite in homes everywhere.
They prove that the best coffee cake recipes don’t have to be complicated. Sometimes the simplest approaches yield the most delicious results.
FAQs
Can I use butter substitutes for these muffins? Yes, but results will vary. Melted coconut oil works well and adds a subtle flavor. Vegetable oil makes them more tender but you’ll lose some of the buttery taste. For the streusel, butter is hard to replace because it creates those perfect crumbly pieces.
Why did my streusel topping sink into the muffins? This usually happens when the topping is too warm or the batter is too thin. Make sure your streusel butter is cold and the mixture looks crumbly, not paste-like. Also, don’t overfill the muffin cups. Two-thirds full is the sweet spot.
Can I make mini versions of these muffins? Absolutely. Use a mini muffin tin and reduce baking time to 10 to 12 minutes. You’ll get about 24 mini muffins from this recipe. They’re perfect for parties or portion control.
How do I know when the muffins are done? Insert a toothpick into the center of a muffin. It should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs. The tops should be golden and spring back when lightly pressed. If the toothpick has wet batter, bake for 2 more minutes and check again.
Can I reduce the sugar in this recipe? You can reduce the sugar in the muffin batter to 1/2 cup, but I don’t recommend reducing the sugar in the streusel. The sugar creates the signature crunchy texture. With less sugar, the topping will be more breadcrumb-like than crispy.
What’s the difference between coffee cake muffins and regular muffins? Coffee cake muffins have a streusel topping and often include cinnamon in both the batter and topping. They’re sweeter and more dessert-like than standard breakfast muffins. The crumb topping is the defining feature that makes them special.
Moist Coffee Cake Muffins
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a muffin pan with paper liners. Lightly grease them if desired.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, whisk melted butter, eggs, vanilla extract, and buttermilk until smooth.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture and gently mix until just combined. Do not overmix; the batter should be slightly lumpy.
- In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and melted butter for the streusel. Mix until crumbly.
- Fill each muffin cup about two-thirds full with batter. Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over each muffin.
- Bake for 18–20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
Notes
- Calories: 285 kcal
- Total Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
- Sodium: 180mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 41g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 22g
- Protein: 4g
- Vitamin D: 0.3mcg
