Best Cinnamon Sugar Donut Muffins

Ingredients:

For the Muffins:

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup whole milk (or buttermilk for extra richness)
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional, for extra flavor)

For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating:

1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Instructions:

Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a muffin tin with paper liners. This recipe makes about 12 muffins.
Make the Muffin Batter:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg (if using).
- In a separate large bowl, mix together the melted butter and sugar until well combined. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter.
Fill the Muffin Tin:
- Spoon the muffin batter into the prepared muffin tin, filling each cup about 3/4 full. Smooth the tops with the back of the spoon if necessary.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. The tops should be lightly golden brown.
Make the Cinnamon Sugar Coating:
- While the muffins are baking, mix the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl for the coating.
- Melt the butter in a microwave-safe bowl or on the stove.
Coat the Muffins:
- Once the muffins are done, remove them from the oven and let them cool for 5 minutes in the tin. Then, remove the muffins from the tin and dip the tops of each muffin into the melted butter, then roll them in the cinnamon sugar mixture, making sure to coat them thoroughly.
- Repeat for each muffin until all are coated.
Serve and Enjoy:
- Let the muffins cool slightly, and enjoy the warm, comforting flavors of cinnamon and sugar! These are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for a few days.

Tips:

Soft Muffins: Be sure not to overmix the batter to keep the muffins soft and tender.
Buttermilk: For extra richness, use buttermilk in place of regular milk. It will make the muffins extra moist and give them a slight tang.
Add-ins: You can add chocolate chips or chopped nuts to the muffin batter if you like a bit of variety.

Notes:

Make-Ahead: These muffins can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container for up to 2-3 days. You can also freeze them for up to a month and reheat them in the oven for 5-10 minutes for a fresh, warm treat.
Serving Suggestion: Serve these muffins with coffee or a glass of milk for a perfect breakfast or snack!