Donut Muffins - Muffins that taste like Donuts - CopyKat Recipes (2024)

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Donut Muffins are a tasty breakfast treat or snack. These are delicious and sweet cinnamon muffins that taste like donuts.

Donut Muffins - Muffins that taste like Donuts - CopyKat Recipes (1)

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Muffins That Taste Like Donuts

Cinnamon sugar donut muffins are a sweet way to start the day. And so much easier than making donuts.

Who needs donuts? Well, sometimes, we all do! But that doesn’t mean you have to take a trip to the local donut shop or even feel guilty of “overindulging” when you know how to makedonut muffins. These delectable muffins deliver the same amazing taste as cinnamon sugar donuts at a fraction of the calories and fat and make the perfect breakfast or snack. Bake a batch of thesecinnamon sugardonut muffinswhenever you get that donut craving!

Cake VS Yeast Donuts

You can divide the world of donuts into two separate categories: cake donuts and yeast donuts.

These types of donuts are distinctly different in taste, appearance and especially important for anyone who tries making them, recipes. While yeast donuts get their rise from yeast, cake donuts depend on baking powder to keep them from going flat. The use of different leavening agents means that yeast donuts are considerably lighter and less sweet than cake donuts and get most of their flavor from glazes, fillings, and toppings. An excellent example of a yeast donut is Krispy Kremes. On the other hand, cake donuts are denser, sweeter, and come in just about an endless amount of flavors from chocolate to pumpkin spice that makes them perfect for dipping.

Thisdonut muffin recipemakes muffins that resemble cake and not yeast donuts.

Making Magnificent Muffins

If you are already an expert muffin baker, then these old fashioneddonut muffinsshould be a breeze to throw together. But, if you are new to the muffin-making game, here are a few tips to help your first few batches turn out better.

  1. Awful things happen when you over-mix muffin batter, but equally bad things occur if you don’t mix it enough. So, what is a newbie baker to do? Start by sifting the dry ingredients together in one bowl while whisking the wet ingredients together in another. Then add the dry ingredients into the bowl with the wet ones and give no more than ten stirs with a wooden spoon. It is okay if the batter is not entirely lump-free, but there shouldn’t be any dry ingredients floating on the top or on the sides.
  2. For even more delicate muffins, consider swapping out the all-purpose flour in the recipe for cake flour. Cake flour is more refined than all-purpose flour and contains less protein. These differences will help your muffins turn out even lighter and fluffier.
  3. If you don’t mind fiddling with the oven a bit, you can try preheating it to 400 degrees and reduce the baking temperature to 350 when you put in the muffins. Not only will this ensure your oven won’t drop below the 350-degree baking temperature when you open the oven door, but it will provide a higher temperature for a few minutes and help produce more rise from the baking powder.

Tips for Storing and ReheatingCinnamon SugarDonut Muffins

  • Store on the countertop for up to four days.Line an airtight container with a paper towel. Place cool muffins on top and cover with another paper. Some people find that adding a cracker helps keep the muffins dry. Cover with a tight-fitting lid.
  • Freeze for up to two months.Wrap each of the muffins separately in plastic wrap before putting them in the freezer. To reheat, let the muffins thaw at room temperature, wrap lightly in tin foil, and then pop them in a 350-degree oven for ten minutes.

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Donut Muffins Recipe Ingredients

Here’s a list of what you need:

  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking powder
  • Salt
  • Ground nutmeg
  • Ground cinnamon
  • Egg
  • Vegetable oil
  • Sugar
  • Milk
  • Butter
Donut Muffins - Muffins that taste like Donuts - CopyKat Recipes (2)

How to Make Donut Muffins

  1. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon.
    Donut Muffins - Muffins that taste like Donuts - CopyKat Recipes (3)
  2. In another bowl, combine egg, oil, sugar, and milk.
    Donut Muffins - Muffins that taste like Donuts - CopyKat Recipes (4)
  3. Add wet ingredient mixture to the dry ingredient mixture and stir until just combined.
  4. Fill muffin cups 2/3 full and bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes.
  5. Melt butter and set aside.
  6. Combine sugar and cinnamon in a bowl and set aside.
    Donut Muffins - Muffins that taste like Donuts - CopyKat Recipes (5)
  7. While muffins are still hot, dip them into melted butter and then in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
Donut Muffins - Muffins that taste like Donuts - CopyKat Recipes (6)

Love muffins, donuts, and breakfast bread? Try these recipes!

  • Cherry Coffee Cake
  • Dunkin Donuts Pumpkin Muffin
  • Easy Banana Walnut Bread
  • French Cruller
  • Homemade Krispy Kremes
  • Old Fashioned Coffee Cake
  • Otis Spunkmeyer Muffins
  • Starbucks Vanilla Scone Recipe

Popular Breakfast Recipes

  • Birthday Pancakes
  • Cheese Blintz Recipe
  • Griddle Cakes
  • Old Fashioned French Toast
  • Restaurant Style Pancakes

Check out more of my easy bread recipes and the best breakfast recipes here on CopyKat!

Donut Muffins

These sweet cinnamon sugar muffins taste just like cake donuts.

5 from 5 votes

Print Pin Rate Add to Collection

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes minutes

Servings: 24

Calories: 147kcal

Author: Stephanie Manley

Ingredients

Donut Muffins

  • 1⅔ cup all-purpose flour
  • teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 egg
  • cup vegetable oil
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • ¾ cup milk

Donut Muffin Topping

  • ½ cup butter
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

Donut Muffins

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

  • In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Whisk or stir until well blended.

  • In another bowl combine egg, oil, sugar, and milk. Whisk or stir until well blended.

  • Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, and stir only to combine (do not over mix!).

  • Fill muffin cups ⅔ full and bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes.

Donut Muffin Topping

  • While the muffins are baking, melt ½ cup butter and set aside.

  • Combine ¾ cup sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon in another bowl and set aside.

  • Take muffins out of the oven and remove them from the pan.

  • While the muffins are still hot, dip them in melted butter and then in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.

Nutrition

Calories: 147kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 17mg | Sodium: 88mg | Potassium: 47mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 140IU | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 0.5mg

About Stephanie Manley

I recreate your favorite restaurant recipes, so you can prepare these dishes at home. I help you cook dinner, and serve up dishes you know your family will love. You can find most of the ingredients for all of the recipes in your local grocery store.

Stephanie is the author of CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home, and CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home 2.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. ninth1

    Donut Muffins - Muffins that taste like Donuts - CopyKat Recipes (11)
    This is my French Breakfast Puffs recipe almost to a t. The only difference is I use real butter, no oil. Mother made these for eons when we were kids.ninth1

    Reply

  2. Cheryl

    Donut Muffins - Muffins that taste like Donuts - CopyKat Recipes (12)
    Just love this site,wonderful recipes!

    Reply

  3. Brandi

    They are really good, and they taste exactly like cinnamon sugar donuts. 🙂

    Reply

  4. nancy

    Thes are WONDERFUL!
    different, delicious, and so east to make. THank you… nancy Joyce

    Reply

  5. Renate

    I tried them, they are soooooooooooooo good. thanks

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Donut Muffins - Muffins that taste like Donuts - CopyKat Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What has more sugar a donut or a muffin? ›

It's time for a food face-off. When it comes to calories, carbs, and sugar, there's a clear winner: doughnuts. The fried rings have 155 fewer calories, half the carbs, and 21 fewer grams of sugar than muffins.

Can you make donuts in a muffin pan? ›

Have you ever wanted to make baked doughnuts at home but couldn't because you didn't have a doughnut pan? Here's what to do! You don't need to add another pan to your collection in order to make baked doughnuts. Instead, grab a muffin tin and some aluminum foil to create a makeshift doughnut pan.

What's the difference between a donut and a muffin? ›

Donuts are sometimes filled, sometimes they're round with a hole in the center Donuts are some times cakey. Muffins are much softer, and crumbly.

How to make donuts without a donut tray? ›

All you need is a cupcake pan and some regular old tin foil! Cut the foil into a 4 x4 square and bend gently around your middle finger. Remove your finger and press the shape you're left with into the muffin tin. The results: You're left with a perfect donut hole shaped tin that yields you round baked donuts.

What is the big sugar on muffins called? ›

Sanding sugar is a large crystal sugar that's great for decorating because it won't dissolve with heat. It also creates a sparkly effect because of the large size of the crystals that reflect light. It's great for decorating treats like cookies, cakes, scones, muffins, and even candies.

What is healthier than donuts? ›

Believe it or not, fruit is a great way to fulfill a sweet craving. You may not believe it when you are craving candy, cookies or aforementioned donut, but eating a piece of fruit can really fulfill sweet cravings! Try some fruit and wait a little bit, you will likely notice that the craving has subsided.

Do baked donuts taste the same as fried? ›

No, baked donuts do not taste the same as fried donuts. The cooking method affects the texture, flavor, and appearance of the donuts.

What kind of pan do you use for muffins? ›

Look for a muffin pan that's metal and has a nonstick coating, which will conduct heat well and promote even browning, a nice rise, and easy release. Avoid silicone pans, as they don't brown or conduct heat as well as metal does.

Do you need a muffin pan to make muffins? ›

We're overlooking the most useful and smart way to utilize a sheet pan. Take any basic batter, from brownie batter to cake batter to muffin batter, and spread it onto a parchment-lined (or well-greased) sheet pan with high edges. Bake until just set and golden on the edges, then remove from the oven and let it cool.

What is healthier a donut or muffin? ›

When it comes to calories, carbs, and sugar, there's a clear winner: doughnuts. The fried rings have 155 fewer calories, half the carbs, and 21 fewer grams of sugar than muffins. Muffins don't lose out completely, though: They have 1 gram more protein than doughnuts—and half the saturated fat.

What do you call a donut without a hole in the middle? ›

Jelly Doughnut

These classic doughnuts are typically round without a hole in the middle, and generally leavened with yeast. The center is stuffed with jelly, jam, or preserves (and sometimes chocolate!), giving you a burst of flavor with each bite.

How unhealthy is a muffin? ›

A lot of commercial brand muffins are just as bad as cake, donuts, or cookies. They can have upwards of 500 calories each, 40 grams of sugar, hardly any fiber, and 35% DRV of fat.

What is a good substitute for doughnuts? ›

Bagels are the perfect swap for a breakfast treat when you're craving a donut. Opt for a cinnamon raisin style to get some sweetness, or go with your favorite flavor. Toast the pastry and slather on the cream cheese or butter, and enjoy!

How are old fashioned donuts different? ›

Old-Fashioned Doughnuts are basically cake doughnuts that have been fried. This gives them a slightly crunchy outer shell, that's usually lacquered with glaze or dusted with sugar. The inside tends to be less dense than the cake of your typical powdered doughnut and less airy than a Krispy Kreme-style glazed.

What are the little ball donuts called? ›

People in the United States might call them “Munchkins” because that is what Dunkin Donuts decided to call them.

Are muffins high in sugar? ›

Most store-bought muffins are like glorified cupcakes—they're full of sugar and simple carbs. "They can be packed with added sugar and low in fiber, sending your blood sugar levels on a roller coaster before you even get to work," says Charlotte Martin, MS, RDN, CSOWM, CPT.

What has more sugar than a donut? ›

You may have heard not to eat bananas because they can contain as much or more sugar than a donut. Sure, that may be true, but they also contain soluble fiber to help your body digest sugar more slowly and boost your gut health, and potassium to help keep your blood pressure in check and your heart healthy.

Are muffins full of sugar? ›

While it might not be a surprise to many that muffins aren't health foods, the study found that 61% of the sweet treats contained six teaspoons of sugar or more. To put that in some context, the NHS recommends children seven to ten get no more than six teaspoons of sugar per day.

How much sugar is in a donut? ›

Doughnuts, cake-type, plain (includes unsugared, old-fashioned), 1 doughnut, medium (3-1/4" dia)
Protein (g)2.35
Total lipid (fat) (g)10.76
Carbohydrate, by difference (g)23.36
Energy (kcal)197.87
Sugars, total (g)10.58
34 more rows

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