Coffee Cake Muffins – Soft, Gooey, Bakery-Style Breakfast Treat

Wake up to the aroma of warm, cinnamon-swirled muffins! These Coffee Cake Muffins are soft, tender, and topped with a buttery streusel, perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet snack. Quick, easy, and bakery-style, they’re irresistibly gooey inside with a crunchy top. Customize with chocolate chips, nuts, or extra cinnamon, and enjoy a cozy, homemade treat anytime!

Why You’ll Love These Muffins

• Soft & Gooey: Tender inside with a slightly crunchy streusel topping just like bakery muffins!
• Quick & Easy: No complicated dough or long rise times, ready in under 30 minutes.
• Perfect for Any Occasion: Breakfast, brunch, coffee breaks, or sweet snacks, they fit every moment.
• Customizable: Add chocolate chips, nuts, or extra cinnamon for your favorite twist.
• Beginner-Friendly: Simple ingredients and clear steps make it easy for anyone to bake.
• Bakery Flavor at Home: Enjoy that coffee-shop vibe without leaving your kitchen!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Muffin Batter

• All-purpose flour – 2 cups: Provides structure for soft, tender muffins that hold their shape.
• Granulated sugar – 1 cup: Adds sweetness and helps the tops caramelize lightly.
• Unsalted butter, melted – ½ cup: Keeps muffins moist and rich.
• Baking powder – 1 tbsp: Gives a light, fluffy texture by helping muffins rise.
• Salt – ½ tsp: Balances sweetness and enhances flavor.
• Ground cinnamon – 1 tsp: Adds warm, cozy spice that pairs perfectly with the streusel.
• Whole milk – ½ cup: Adds moisture and tenderness to the batter.
• Eggs – 2 large: Bind ingredients and give structure while keeping muffins soft.
• Vanilla extract – ½ tsp: Enhances overall flavor and adds a subtle sweetness.

Streusel Topping

• All-purpose flour – ½ cup: Forms the base of the crumbly topping.
• Brown sugar, packed – ½ cup: Sweet and slightly caramelized flavor for the crunchy topping.
• Unsalted butter, cold & cubed – ¼ cup: Makes the streusel crispy and crumbly when baked.
• Ground cinnamon – 1 tsp: Adds warmth and classic coffee cake flavor.

Tips:

• Cold butter in the streusel ensures a crunchy topping.
• Mix the streusel with fingers or a pastry cutter for coarse crumbs. Don’t overwork!
• For extra flavor, you can add chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts.

How to Make Coffee Cake Muffins

Step 1: Preheat & Prep

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a muffin tin with paper liners or lightly grease it. This helps muffins come out clean and perfect every time.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups of flour, 1 cup of granulated sugar, 1 tbsp baking powder, ½ tsp of salt, and 1 tsp of cinnamon. This is your flavorful base, so make sure everything is evenly combined.

Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredients

In another bowl, whisk together ½ cup melted butter, ½ cup whole milk, 2 large eggs, and ½ tsp vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and creamy.

Step 4: Combine Wet & Dry

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Gently fold until just combined, stop as soon as you see no streaks of flour. Don’t overmix, or muffins will be dense instead of soft and tender.

Step 5: Prepare the Streusel Topping

In a small bowl, combine ½ cup flour, ½ cup packed brown sugar, and 1 tsp cinnamon. Add ¼ cup cold, cubed butter and use your fingers or a pastry cutter to mix until the mixture forms coarse crumbs. This creates the crunchy, buttery topping that makes these muffins feel just like they came from a bakery.

Step 6: Assemble Muffins

1. Spoon muffin batter into prepared tin, filling each cup about 2/3 full.
2. Sprinkle streusel evenly over the top.

Tip: Add chopped nuts or chocolate chips to the streusel for extra texture and flavor.

Step 7: Bake

Bake in preheated oven for 18–22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Your kitchen will smell amazing!

Step 8: Cool & Serve

Let muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve warm for soft, gooey goodness, or enjoy at room temperature.

How to Make Them Perfect Every Time

• Room Temperature Ingredients: Always use milk and eggs at room temperature. This helps the batter mix smoothly and keeps your muffins soft and tender.
• Don’t Overmix: Fold wet and dry ingredients gently. Overmixing can make muffins dense instead of fluffy.
• Cold Butter for Streusel: Use cold, cubed butter when making the streusel topping, which gives that crunchy, buttery texture every bakery muffin needs.
• Gentle Swirls: Sprinkle the streusel evenly and press lightly. Avoid overworking the topping so the muffins bake beautifully with a perfect crumb and crunch.
• Check Oven Temperature: Ovens vary, so keep an eye on your muffins. They should be golden brown, and a toothpick inserted should come out clean.
• Reheat for Freshness: Warm muffins for 10–15 seconds in the microwave for that fresh-from-the-oven feel, perfect for breakfast or snack time!

Tip: Follow these tips, and you’ll get soft, gooey muffins with a perfectly crunchy topping every single time, just like your favorite bakery!

Ingredients Variations for Coffee Cake Muffins

Flour Options

• All-purpose flour: Standard choice for soft, tender muffins.
• Whole wheat flour: Adds nuttiness and fiber, slightly denser muffins.
• Gluten-free flour blend: Perfect for gluten-free baking, may need a tiny bit more milk for the right consistency.

Sugar Variations

• Granulated sugar: Classic sweetness with lightly caramelized tops.
• Coconut sugar or maple sugar: Adds a subtle caramel flavor and slightly darker color.
• Brown sugar: Can replace some granulated sugar for more moisture and a richer taste.

Milk Options

• Whole milk: Soft, rich muffins.
• Almond, oat, or soy milk: Dairy-free alternatives, keeping muffins moist.

Butter Options

• Unsalted butter: Classic, rich flavor.
• Brown butter: Adds nutty depth to the muffin flavor.
• Coconut oil: Dairy-free alternative with a subtle tropical hint.

Streusel Add-Ins

• Chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts): Crunchy texture with extra flavor.
• Chocolate chips: Melty, sweet surprise in every bite.
• Dried fruit (cranberries, raisins): Sweet, chewy bursts in your muffin topping.

Flavor Boosters

• Vanilla extract: Classic flavor enhancer.
• Almond extract (½ tsp): Pairs beautifully with cinnamon and streusel.
• Spices (nutmeg, allspice, cardamom): Add a warm, cozy twist to your muffins.

Storage Tips

• Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
• Keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days; microwave 10–15 seconds before serving.
• Freeze individually in plastic wrap and a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.
• Reheat frozen muffins 15–20 seconds or lightly toast for a fresh-baked texture.
• Let muffins cool slightly before storing to prevent sogginess.
• Handle streusel topping gently to keep it intact.

Check Out These Other Muffin Recipes!

• Homemade English 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 Coffee Cake Muffins

Q1: Can I make these muffins ahead of time?
Yes! Bake, cool, and store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer freshness, refrigerate up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Q2: Can I make mini muffins?
Absolutely! Use a mini muffin tin and reduce baking time to 12–15 minutes. Perfect for grab-and-go snacks.

Q3: Can I make them gluten-free or dairy-free?
Yes! Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and swap milk with almond, oat, or soy milk. Replace butter with coconut oil for a dairy-free option.

Q4: How do I keep the streusel crunchy?
Use cold butter and mix until you have coarse crumbs. Sprinkle gently on top don’t overwork it.

Q5: Can I add chocolate, nuts, or spices?
Yes! Chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or extra spices like nutmeg or allspice are great add-ins for extra flavor and texture.

Q6: How do I serve these muffins for the best taste?
Warm them slightly in the microwave for 10–15 seconds to get that fresh-from-the-oven soft and gooey texture.

Final Thoughts

These Coffee Cake Muffins are soft, tender, and topped with a crunchy, buttery streusel, the perfect cozy treat for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet snack. Quick and easy to make, they bring bakery-style muffins right into your kitchen.

The best part? You can customize them with chocolate chips, nuts, or extra cinnamon for your favorite twist. Serve warm for that “fresh out of the oven” magic, and don’t forget to share or pin these muffins are irresistible and sure to become a favorite!