Cinnamon Roll Muffins

Cinnamon Roll Muffins are delightfully soft and tender muffins that are swirled with a sweet cinnamon filling and topped with a dreamy cream cheese glaze. They’re not heavy or overly sweet either. I think they’re a perfect treat for breakfast or brunch, and if you’re not a fan of cream cheese, feel free to omit it. They will still be undeniably delicious! If you’re looking for a light & airy pastry that’s not overly sweet, you’ve come to the right place.

When you make these fluffy muffins and pair them with a cinnamon-sugar filling & topping, you get the perfect pastry. The addition of the cream cheese glaze just sends it over the top. I’ve really been in the mood for some cozy and comforting baking, and these dreamy muffins remind me of weekend mornings and holidays. Not a fan of cream cheese? Don’t worry, they’re still delicious without it!

Kitchen Equipment Needed:

• Muffin tin
• Muffin liners
• Mixing bowls
• Whisk
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Hand mixer or stand mixer
• Spatula
• Pastry brush
• Cooling rack

Ingredients:

For the Muffins:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup milk
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Cinnamon Filling:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

For the Cream Cheese Glaze:

• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1-2 tablespoons milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Preheat the Oven:
   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin tin with muffin liners or lightly grease with cooking spray.
2. Prepare the Muffin Batter:
   • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt.
   • In another bowl, whisk together the melted butter, milk, egg, and vanilla extract.
   • Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
3. Prepare the Cinnamon Filling:
   • In a small bowl, mix together the softened butter, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon until smooth.
4. Assemble the Muffins:
   • Fill each muffin cup about halfway with the muffin batter.
   • Add a spoonful of the cinnamon filling on top of the batter in each cup.
   • Top with the remaining muffin batter, filling each cup almost to the top.
   • Using a toothpick or skewer, swirl the batter and filling together to create a marbled effect.
5. Bake the Muffins:
   • Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
   • Remove from the oven and let the muffins cool in the tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack to cool completely.
6. Prepare the Cream Cheese Glaze:
   • In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with a hand mixer until smooth.
   • Add the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract, and mix until well combined and smooth. Add more milk if needed to reach a drizzling consistency.
7. Glaze the Muffins:
   • Once the muffins are cooled, drizzle the cream cheese glaze over the top of each muffin using a spoon or a pastry bag.
8. Serve and Enjoy:
   • Serve the cinnamon roll muffins warm or at room temperature. Enjoy the delightful blend of soft muffin, sweet cinnamon filling, and creamy glaze!

These Cinnamon Roll Muffins are the perfect treat for breakfast or brunch, bringing the comforting flavors of cinnamon rolls in an easy-to-make muffin form. Enjoy!