Dessert

Sugar Donut Muffins Recipe

ByThomas Greene December 1, 2025December 1, 2025

Introduction

These Sugar Donut Muffins offer all the delightful flavors of classic cinnamon sugar donuts in a quick and easy muffin form. Perfect for breakfast or an afternoon treat, they are soft, tender, and coated with a buttery cinnamon sugar glaze.

The image shows several small, round muffins with a golden brown color and a slightly rough texture. Each muffin is coated with a layer of sparkling sugar crystals mixed with cinnamon, giving them a textured, sugary surface. The muffins are placed closely together in a dark dish with a blueish tint, contrasting with the warm tones of the muffins. The background is softly blurred, focusing on the front muffins, highlighting their sugary coating and soft texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

3/4 cup milk
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 cup melted butter (for dipping)
1/2 cup sugar (for rolling)
1 tablespoon cinnamon (for rolling)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a mini muffin tin with cooking spray.
Step 2: In a large bowl, beat together the milk, sugar, vegetable oil, egg, and vanilla extract until well combined.
Step 3: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until just combined.
Step 4: Pour the batter into the prepared mini muffin tin, filling each cup about three-quarters full.
Step 5: Bake for approximately 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Step 6: While the muffins bake, melt the butter in a small bowl in the microwave.
Step 7: In another small bowl, mix together the sugar and cinnamon for rolling.
Step 8: Allow the muffins to cool for a few minutes until they can be handled easily.
Step 9: Dip the tops of each muffin into the melted butter, then roll them in the cinnamon sugar mixture. Set aside to cool completely before serving.

Tips & Variations

Use mini muffin tins to achieve the classic donut bite-size shape and texture.
For a richer flavor, substitute half the milk with buttermilk.
Add a pinch of ground cloves or allspice to the dry ingredients for a spiced twist.
Try dipping the muffins in flavored melted butter like maple or honey butter for a unique variation.

Storage

Store these muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days. To refresh, warm them slightly in the microwave for about 15 seconds. They taste best on the day they are made but still remain enjoyable after reheating.

How to Serve

The image shows several small, golden brown balls that are coated with a layer of granulated sugar and cinnamon, giving them a slightly rough texture. The balls are tightly packed together, each having a slightly irregular, rounded shape. The sugar on the surface sparkles softly, highlighting the mix of light and darker brown tones from the cinnamon coating. The background is softly blurred with a white marbled texture that allows the golden balls to stand out clearly in the foreground. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these muffins vegan?

You can substitute the egg with a flax or chia egg and use a plant-based milk and oil to make this recipe vegan-friendly. However, be sure to use vegan butter or margarine for dipping.

Can I use regular-sized muffin tins instead of mini ones?

Yes, but baking time will increase. Check for doneness after about 18-20 minutes by inserting a toothpick into the center. The texture will be slightly different, with less of the “donut bite” feel.