Description
These Coffee Cake Muffins combine tender, moist muffin crumb with a cinnamon-spiced streusel topping and an optional sweet glaze. Perfect for breakfast or an afternoon snack, they offer a delightful balance of buttery richness and cinnamon flavor with a hint of vanilla and sour cream for extra moisture. The two-stage baking at high then reduced temperature yields soft centers and golden tops.
Ingredients
Muffin Batter
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup light brown sugar (firmly packed)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 Tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon table salt
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter (melted)
- ⅓ cup neutral cooking oil
- 1 large egg
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup sour cream
Streusel Topping
- 5 Tablespoons unsalted butter (melted and cooled)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup light brown sugar (firmly packed)
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon table salt
Glaze (optional)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 Tablespoons whole milk (as needed)
Instructions
- Prepare the muffin batter: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cornstarch, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt until combined.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk melted butter and neutral oil until smooth. Then whisk in the egg, vanilla extract, followed by the sour cream until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and gently fold together with a spatula until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the muffins tender; no dry streaks of flour should remain. Set the batter aside.
- Preheat the oven and prepare muffin tin: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners. For best results, allow the batter to rest in the bowl for 15-30 minutes while preparing the streusel and preheating the oven.
- Prepare the streusel topping: Cut butter into pieces and melt it, then let it cool slightly so it is warm but not hot to the touch. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
- Combine streusel ingredients: Drizzle the cooled melted butter over the dry streusel ingredients and use a fork to delicately toss and claw the mixture until crumbly with various sizes of clumps. Do not stir vigorously to avoid forming a paste.
- Assemble muffins: After batter resting, evenly scoop the batter into the prepared muffin tin cups. Evenly divide and sprinkle the streusel topping over the batter in each muffin cup.
- Bake the muffins: Place the muffin tin on the center rack of the preheated oven at 425°F (220°C) and bake for 8 minutes. Do not open the oven door after this time; reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) and continue baking for an additional 12-14 minutes, or until the tops are light golden brown and a toothpick inserted in a muffin's center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool the muffins: Allow the muffins to cool in the tin for 7-10 minutes. Then carefully remove them and transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely. Leaving muffins too long in the tin may cause the bottoms to become greasy.
- Prepare the glaze (optional): Whisk powdered sugar and milk together until smooth and pourable. Drizzle the glaze evenly over the warm muffins and let it set before serving.
Notes
- Resting the batter before baking improves texture and flavor development.
- Use paper liners for easy muffin removal and cleanup.
- Do not overmix the batter to avoid dense muffins.
- The two-stage baking ensures a thoroughly cooked interior and nicely browned tops.
- The streusel topping can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator.
- The glaze is optional but adds a sweet finishing touch that balances the cinnamon flavor.
- Store muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
