Coffee Cake Muffins

June 19, 2023 by Addison LaBonte Jump To Recipe

Start your day right with these moist and fluffy Coffee Cake Muffins with a crumble topping. This treat is filled with a delicious buttery cinnamon flavor that you will not be able to resist. With only 20 minutes of baking time, it is super easy to make even in the morning. Pair it with coffee for the perfect breakfast, brunch, or afternoon snack!

Why You Will Love This Recipe

These coffee cake muffins are the perfect pairing for coffee or tea.
Make them for breakfast, brunch, or for an afternoon pick-me-up.
This recipe has an option for a delicious streusel topping!
They are easy to eat on the go since it is in the form of a muffin instead of a cake.
They are easy to make in a pinch. No equipment needed!
All the ingredients are pantry staples that you probably already have.
Preparing these muffins is as easy as throwing together pancakes in the morning.
These muffins are also easy to prepare in advance and to store for later.
They are great for both kids and adults!
Check out these Banana Bread Muffins for another comfort food favorite!

What are Coffee Cake Muffins?

Coffee Cake Muffins are moist, buttery, and fluffy muffins. They are made with cinnamon, brown sugar, and a streusel topping.

The combination of these textures and flavors makes it a popular dessert.

They are often served as a breakfast or afternoon snack that is best paired with coffee or tea.

Ingredients & Substitutions

These are the main ingredients and substitutions for coffee cake muffins. Scroll down to the recipe card for the full ingredients list and instructions.

All-purpose flour contributes to the muffin batter and streusel topping. Substitute with cake flour or gluten-free flour with a 1:1 ratio.

Granulated sugar is for adding sweetness to the streusel topping and muffin.

Brown sugar is to add flavor and texture to the streusel topping.

Cinnamon is the spice that adds that signature flavor to the streusel topping. It is what everyone loves about coffee cake muffins!

I used unsalted butter for this recipe, but salted butter will work as well. For the muffin, use melted and cooled butter. For the streusel, make sure the butter is cold (not room temperature) and cut it into cubes.

Baking powder and baking soda are both leavening agents that help your muffin rise and have a fluffy texture.

Buttermilk activates baking soda and gives muffins a better texture.

Use room-temperature eggs so that the batter will mix together better.

Add a small amount of salt to enhance and balance the flavors of the muffin.

Vanilla extract enhances the flavor of other ingredients such as sugar and butter.

Taste & Texture

Coffee cake muffins have a moist and fluffy muffin base and a crumbly streusel topping.

They have a sweet and buttery cinnamon flavor that makes them a comforting treat any time of the day. These muffins are perfectly sweet and tasty.

How to Make

Step 1

To start, preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius). Line a muffin tin with paper liners.

Step 2

In a small bowl, prepare the streusel topping. Combine the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Add the cold cubed butter and use a fork or your fingers to cut it into the dry ingredients until crumbly. Set aside.

Step 3

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

Step 4

In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted butter, buttermilk, vanilla extract, and egg until well combined.

Step 5

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Gently stir until just combined. Do not overmix. A few lumps are fine.

Step 6

Spoon the muffin batter evenly into the prepared muffin tin, filling each cup about two-thirds full.

Step 7

Sprinkle the streusel topping generously over each muffin, pressing it lightly into the batter.

Step 8

Bake in the preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.

Step 9

Remove the muffins from the oven and allow them to cool in the muffin tin for a few minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 10

Once cooled, serve coffee cake muffins! Frost with vanilla glaze if desired.

Tips & Tricks for Success

Do not overmix the muffin batter. Mix the ingredients until incorporated. Overmixing the batter will result in a tough and uneven muffin.

Fill your muffin cups or liners to about ? full. This will ensure that the muffins rise properly. Do not overfill the muffin cups as they will overflow and lead to unevenly cooked muffins.

Sprinkle just enough streusel topping on your muffins. Too much crumb can make your muffins dense and heavy.

Oven temperatures can vary so check on your muffins near the end of the baking time.

Use a toothpick to test doneness. Insert a toothpick into the muffin. If it comes out clean, the muffins are done baking.

Let the muffins cool completely before serving to help them stay moist and tender.

Flavor Variations & Add-Ins

There are many ways to customize coffee cake muffins!

Add chocolate chips, walnuts, dried fruit, cinnamon, and nutmeg to the batter.

For the topping, you can add glazed frosting or a melted sugar topping for a sweeter treat.

Spread some Cream Cheese Frosting on top for a delicious combination!

How to Serve & Store

The best way to serve these easy coffee cake muffins is with coffee or tea.

It makes for a sweet breakfast and brunch, but it can also be a delicious dessert.

If you are serving it for brunch, you can pair it with savory options to balance the flavor. For a savory option, make this Everything Bagel Quiche.

Store these muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Or, store them in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

To serve, simply allow the muffins to thaw for a few hours to return to room temperature.

When making these muffins in advance, you can also store the muffin batter for later. Place plastic wrap over the bowl of muffin batter. Refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there coffee in a coffee cake?

No, there is no coffee in coffee cakes. It is a common misconception that coffee cake muffins contain coffee. They are actually made with cinnamon, brown sugar, and butter. They are called coffee cakes because they are best paired with a cup of coffee.

Why are they called coffee cake muffins?

They are called coffee cake muffins because they go well with coffee. They are traditionally served with coffee, although the muffins do not contain any coffee.

Can you freeze them?

Yes, these coffee cake muffins can be frozen. Simply place them in a freezer-safe bag, label them, and freeze them for up to 3 months. Alternatively, you can also freeze the muffin batter for 3 to 4 weeks when placed in an airtight container.

What is the difference between crumble topping and streusel topping?

Crumble, streusel, and crumb toppings are all the same. They are made of flour, sugar, and butter. They are usually added to muffins, cakes, pies, and other baked goods. This topping might seem simple, but they elevate desserts to another level. They add crunch and a sweet buttery finish to your favorite desserts.

Equipment Needed

Pyrex 3 Glass Mixing Bowls: These glass mixing bowls are great for baking.

Pyrex Glass Measuring Cups: I love these glass cups for measuring.

Whisk: Whisk together the ingredients. Do not overmix.

Hand Mixer: These muffins can be mixed by hand or with a simple hand mixer.

KitchenAid Stand Mixer: This stand mixer is one of my most used kitchen appliances!

You May Also Enjoy

Sourdough Pancakes
English Muffins
German Apple Pancake
Triple Berry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake
Dutch Oven No Knead Bread

If you enjoy this coffee cake streusel muffin recipe, please leave a rating and review! You can find more great recipes on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. Check out these Breakfast Recipes for more delicious recipes!