Cinnamon Muffins with Crunch Topping (Printable)
Soft cinnamon muffins with buttery, crunchy streusel topping for breakfast or snacks.
# What You'll Need:
→ Muffin Batter
01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 teaspoons baking powder
03 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 - 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
06 - 2/3 cup granulated sugar
07 - 2 large eggs, room temperature
08 - 1/2 cup vegetable oil
09 - 1 cup whole milk
10 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
→ Crunch Topping
11 - 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
12 - 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
13 - 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
14 - 1/4 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
15 - 1/3 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
→ Garnish
16 - Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or lightly grease with cooking spray.
02 - Combine brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon in a small bowl. Cut in cold butter using a fork or pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in nuts if using. Set aside.
03 - Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and sugar in a large bowl until well blended.
04 - Whisk eggs, oil, milk, and vanilla extract in a separate bowl until fully combined.
05 - Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Fold gently with a spatula just until combined—do not overmix or muffins will become tough.
06 - Divide batter evenly among prepared muffin cups, filling each about three-quarters full.
07 - Sprinkle the crunch topping generously over the surface of each muffin, pressing lightly to adhere.
08 - Bake for 20 to 22 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
09 - Let muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
10 - Dust with powdered sugar just before serving if desired.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- The streusel topping stays perfectly crunchy even after a day, thanks to cold butter and brown sugar
- These muffins stay incredibly moist without any complicated techniques or ingredients
02 -
- Overmixing the batter makes muffins tough, so fold gently and stop as soon as the flour disappears
- Cold butter is nonnegotiable for the crunch topping, or it will melt into the batter instead of staying crispy
03 -
- Room temperature ingredients blend more easily and create a more uniform crumb
- Use a light hand when mixing the batter to keep the texture tender and delicate