Cinnamon Roll Muffins

If you love cinnamon rolls but want something quicker and easier, these Cinnamon Roll Muffins are the perfect solution! Soft, fluffy, and packed with a sweet cinnamon swirl, they’re ready in under 40 minutes, with no waiting for hours of rising dough like traditional rolls.

Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet snack, these muffins are beginner-friendly and customizable. Add a simple cream cheese glaze or extra cinnamon sugar topping to make them feel like they just came from a bakery.

Why You’ll Love These Cinnamon Roll Muffins

• Soft, tender crumb with a sweet cinnamon swirl
• Quick and easy compared to traditional cinnamon rolls
• Perfect for breakfast sandwiches or brunch spreads
• Beginner-friendly with simple ingredients
• Can be customized with glaze, nuts, or chocolate chips

This recipe has been tested multiple times to ensure soft, moist muffins with a beautiful cinnamon swirl every time.

Ingredients for Cinnamon Roll Muffins

Muffin Batter

• All-purpose flour – 2 cups: Provides structure and soft crumb, ensuring muffins stay tender but hold their shape.
• Granulated sugar – ½ cup: Adds sweetness and a lightly caramelized top during baking.
• Baking powder – 1 tbsp: Helps muffins rise for a fluffy texture.
• Salt – ½ tsp: Enhances flavor and balances sweetness.
• Milk – ¾ cup: Adds moisture and richness to the batter, keeping muffins soft.
• Unsalted butter, melted – ⅓ cup: Provides flavor and contributes to tender, moist muffins.
• Egg – 1 large: Binds ingredients together and adds structure.
• Vanilla extract – 1 tsp: Adds aromatic sweetness and depth of flavor.

Cinnamon Swirl Filling

• Brown sugar, packed – ⅓ cup: Sweet, slightly caramelized flavor for the cinnamon swirl.
• Ground cinnamon – 1 tbsp: Signature cinnamon flavor for the swirl.
• Unsalted butter, melted – 2 tbsp: Helps create a gooey, melt-in-your-mouth swirl inside the muffin.

Vanilla Glaze (Optional but Recommended)

• Powdered sugar – ½ cup: Sweet base for the glaze that balances the cinnamon sugar.
• Milk – 1 tbsp: Thin the glaze to a drizzle consistency.
• Vanilla extract – ½ tsp: Adds extra flavor for that bakery-style finish.

Pro Tips

• Use room temperature milk & egg for better batter consistency.
• Don’t overmix batter → keeps muffins soft and tender.
• Swirl filling gently with a toothpick for beautiful cinnamon layers.
• Optional add-ins: chopped pecans, walnuts, or chocolate chips for extra texture.
• Glaze makes muffins extra irresistible drizzle while warm for gooey perfection.

How to Make Cinnamon Roll Muffins (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Preheat & Prep Your Pan

Alright, first things first! Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grab a 12-cup muffin tin and either line it with muffin liners or just grease it lightly with butter or non-stick spray. This will make sure your muffins come out clean and perfect every time.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups of flour, ½ cup of sugar, 1 tbsp of baking powder, and ½ tsp of salt. This is your base, the magic starts here! Make sure everything is evenly combined so every muffin gets a consistent flavor.

Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients

In another bowl, mix ¾ cup milk, ⅓ cup melted butter, 1 egg, and 1 tsp vanilla. Whisk it all together until smooth. This is your creamy, flavorful liquid that will turn your muffins soft and tender.

Step 4: Combine Wet & Dry

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ones. Now fold gently until there are no streaks of flour left. Be careful, don’t overmix! Overmixing makes muffins dense, and we want them soft, fluffy, and bakery-style.

Step 5: Make the Cinnamon Swirl Filling

Grab a small bowl and mix ⅓ cup brown sugar, 1 tbsp cinnamon, and 2 tbsp melted butter. This is the gooey cinnamon center that makes these muffins irresistible.

Step 6: Assemble the Muffins

1. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of batter into each muffin cup.
2. Add a small spoonful of the cinnamon mixture on top.
3. Cover with more batter until the cups are ¾ full.
4. Take a toothpick or knife and swirl gently to make those beautiful cinnamon layers. Don’t overdo it, just a few swirls will do!

Tip: You can sneak in some chocolate chips or chopped nuts here for extra yum.

Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection

Pop your muffins in the oven for 15–18 minutes, or until they’re golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The kitchen is about to smell amazing!

Step 8: Make the Vanilla Glaze

While muffins cool slightly, whisk together ½ cup powdered sugar, 1 tbsp milk, and ½ tsp vanilla until smooth.
Pro Tip: Drizzle this over warm muffins it melts slightly and makes them extra gooey and irresistible.

Step 9: Cool & Serve

Let the muffins cool just a bit (but not too long, we want them warm!). Drizzle the glaze and enjoy. Seriously, these are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet snack anytime.

Expert Tips For Perfect Cinnamon Roll Muffin

• Room Temperature Ingredients: Always use milk and eggs at room temperature. This helps the batter mix smoothly and prevents dense muffins. Cold ingredients slow down the mixing and can make muffins uneven.
• Don’t Overmix the Batter: Fold gently! Stop as soon as the flour disappears. Overmixing develops gluten and can make muffins tough instead of soft and fluffy. Remember, we want tender, bakery-style muffins.
• Swirl the Cinnamon Filling Gently: When adding your cinnamon swirl, just a few gentle swirls with a toothpick. Over-swizzling can flatten the layers, and the cinnamon won’t stay in a beautiful pattern.
• Check Oven Temperature: Oven temps vary! If your muffins brown too quickly, lower the temperature by 5–10°F. This keeps the tops golden while ensuring the inside is fully cooked and soft.
• Use Fresh Cinnamon: Fresh cinnamon makes a HUGE difference in aroma and flavor. Old cinnamon loses its punch, don’t skip this little upgrade!
• Glaze While Muffins Are Warm: Drizzle the vanilla glaze over slightly warm muffins. It melts just enough to make them extra gooey and irresistible, but won’t completely soak the muffin.
• Optional Add-Ins: Feel like experimenting? Toss in chopped nuts, chocolate chips, or dried fruit in the swirl for extra texture and flavor. Your muffins, your rules!

Storage Tips for Cinnamon Roll Muffins

Room Temperature (Quick Access)

• Store your muffins in an airtight container at room temperature.
• They’ll stay soft and fresh for up to 3 days.
• Perfect if you plan to enjoy them the same week!

Refrigerator (Keep Longer)

• Pop your muffins in the fridge in an airtight container.
• They’ll last up to 5 days, but may firm up slightly.
• Tip: Warm them in the microwave for 10–15 seconds before serving to get that fresh-out-of-the-oven softness.

Freezer (Batch Bake & Save)

• Wrap each muffin individually in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container.
• Freeze for up to 3 months, perfect for stocking up or meal prep!
• Reheat: Microwave 15–20 seconds or toast lightly. You’ll get that soft, gooey texture like they’re freshly baked.

Glaze Tip: If your muffins are already glazed, store them carefully to avoid sticking. You can also glaze after reheating for a fresh bakery feel.

Ingredients Variations

Flour Options

• All-purpose flour: Standard choice for soft muffins.
• Bread flour: Makes muffins slightly chewier, bakery-style.
• Gluten-free flour blend: Use 1:1 blend and slightly adjust milk for the right batter consistency.

Sweeteners

• Granulated sugar: Classic sweetness and helps golden tops.
• Coconut sugar or maple sugar: Adds subtle caramel flavor and can slightly darken the muffins.
• Brown sugar: Can replace some granulated sugar for extra moisture and a richer taste.

Milk Choices

• Whole milk: Rich and tender muffins.
• Almond milk / Oat milk / Soy milk: Great dairy-free options, keep the texture similar.

Butter Options

• Unsalted butter: Standard, soft, and flavorful.
• Brown butter: Adds a nutty, deeper flavor.
• Coconut oil: Dairy-free alternative, gives a subtle tropical note.

Add-Ins for the Cinnamon Swirl

• Chopped pecans or walnuts: Adds crunch and nuttiness.
• Chocolate chips: Melty surprise in every bite.
• Raisins or dried cranberries: Sweet, chewy bursts in the swirl.

Flavor Boosters

• Vanilla extract: Classic flavor, always a must.
• Almond extract (½ tsp): Pairs beautifully with cinnamon for a bakery-style twist.
• Pumpkin puree or mashed banana (¼ cup): Adds moisture and subtle flavor for seasonal variations.

Glaze Variations

• Classic vanilla glaze: Powdered sugar + milk + vanilla.
• Cream cheese glaze: Adds tangy richness perfect for that café-style finish.
• Maple glaze: Swap milk for maple syrup for autumn vibes.

Check Out These Other Muffin Recipes!

• Homemade English Muffins
• Coffee Cake Muffins
• Orange Muffins
• Brownie Muffins
• Healthy Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins
• Strawberry Cream Cheese Breakfast Muffins
• Double Chocolate Espresso Muffins
• Lemon Blueberry Muffins
• Healthy Blueberry Muffins
• Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

FAQs About These Cinnamon Roll Muffins

Q1: Can I make these muffins ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can bake them and store them at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Want them longer? Refrigerate up to 5 days or freeze individually for up to 3 months. Just reheat before serving to enjoy that soft, gooey texture.

Q2: Can I make mini muffins instead of regular size?
Yes! Use a mini muffin tin and reduce baking time to 12–15 minutes. They’re perfect for lunchboxes or quick grab-and-go treats.

Q3: Can I make these gluten-free?
Totally! Swap the all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. You might need to slightly adjust the milk to get the batter consistency just right.

Q4: Can I make these dairy-free?
Yes! Replace milk with almond, oat, or soy milk and butter with coconut oil or dairy-free margarine. The muffins will still be soft, tender, and gooey.

Q5: Why aren’t my cinnamon swirls visible?
If the cinnamon swirl mixes too much with the batter, it won’t show beautifully. Tip: Spoon the swirl carefully in layers and swirl gently with a toothpick. Don’t overmix!

Q6: Can I add chocolate chips or nuts?
Of course! Add chopped nuts, chocolate chips, or dried fruit into the cinnamon filling for extra flavor and texture. Just don’t overload too many add-ins can change baking time slightly.

Final Thoughts

These Cinnamon Roll Muffins are soft, gooey, and packed with cinnamon goodnes perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet snack!

The cinnamon swirl and optional glaze make them feel like bakery treats, but way easier and fresh from your kitchen. Customize with chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruit, and follow the tips for soft, tender, perfect muffins every time. Warm, share, enjoy, and don’t forget to pin for later!