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Cinnamon Roll Muffins have all the flavors of your favorite indulgent cinnamon rolls, in an easy-to-eat, handheld bite. Swirled and topped with a mouthwatering cinnamon sugar filling, and finished with a wonderful cream cheese drizzle, these are hard to resist.
This post and recipe card updated August 12, 2019
When it comes to breakfast, most of us don’t have time for anything more than a quick bite on weekday mornings. Alarm clocks, work, school, they all get in the way.
But when it comes to weekend brunch, holiday morning breakfast, or gameday tailgating that all changes. We want comforting dishes that can be enjoyed at our leisure.
My first breakfast recipe of Loaded Breakfast Egg Muffins are perfect for a quick breakfast any day of the week, no matter how busy.
So I wanted to create something for the slower-paced breakfast or brunch. I love cinnamon rolls, but I never made them at home before. And this was the perfect opportunity to create Cinnamon Roll Muffins
WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS
- These are great to make ahead
- You get all the flavors of an indulgent cinnamon roll in a portable, easy-to-eat muffin
- Once you’ve got the batter you can make just a couple or an entire batch
Oh, these Cinnamon Roll Muffins are fabulous. The beautiful, warm flavors of cinnamon and vanilla, topped with a simple cream cheese drizzle.
TIPS FOR THE PERFECT BATTER CONSISTENCY
Just like my drama with the Skillet Chocolate Chip Cookie, I failed several times with the consistency of the Cinnamon Roll Muffins batter before I got it right.
You need to combine the dry ingredients and wet ingredients in separate bowls. Then slowly incorporate the wet ingredients into the dry, stirring constantly.
The batter should have a smooth consistency that’s thicker than pancakes but still mixes easily.
Don’t over-mix the batter or the Cinnamon Roll Muffins will be dense.
CINNAMON SUGAR FILLING
The filling only has 3 ingredients: Ground Cinnamon, Dark Brown Sugar, and melted butter. To get the right consistency melt the butter first, and then stir in the sugar and cinnamon.
The filling mixture will get clumpy as soon as the butter begins to cool…and that doesn’t take long. So when that happens reheat it in the microwave for about 10 seconds.
WHAT ABOUT THAT CREAM CHEESE DRIZZLE??
The cream cheese frosting is what makes a cinnamon roll a cinnamon roll. The best part is, it takes 4 ingredients and about 30 seconds to make.
Cream Cheese: use the block and you can use full fat or low fat. Take the cream cheese out of the fridge 30 minutes before using so it softens properly.
Powdered Sugar, milk, and a little Vanilla Extract round out the ingredient list.
Let the muffins cool for 10 minutes before adding the frosting. Otherwise, the frosting will melt into the muffin topping.

STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and place a Paper Muffin Liner into each well of the Muffin Pan.
Combine all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in one bowl. In another bowl combine canola oil, milk, and eggs.
Slowly incorporate the wet ingredients into the dry, stirring constantly. The batter should have a smooth consistency that’s thicker than pancakes but still mixes easily.
Don’t overmix the batter or the muffins will be dense.
Pour 1/4 cup of batter into each muffin cup. When done, you should have 1/4 of the mixture left in the bowl.
Melt butter in a small bowl. Add cinnamon and dark brown sugar and stir well to combine. The mixture should look like a thick syrup.
Add a dollop of the cinnamon sugar filling to each muffin cup, and create a swirl pattern using a toothpick. Don’t worry about looks, because nobody will see it!
Spread the remaining batter evenly across the muffin cups
Finish with another dollop of the cinnamon sugar filling. I take a fork and lightly swirl the filling. Again, don’t worry too much about how it looks!
Bake Cinnamon Roll Muffins for 15-18 minutes, until golden. Remove from oven, and transfer muffins to a baking rack.
In a bowl, combine softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla.
Spoon frosting into a piping bag or plastic bag, and carefully cut a very small piece off the end of the bag. Carefully squeeze the air out of the top of the bag, and drizzle the frosting on the muffins.
MAKE-AHEAD INSTRUCTIONS
The great thing about making Cinnamon Roll Muffins ahead is that you can make them whenever the craving hits! You can also make just a couple or an entire batch.
Batter: Make it up to 5 days ahead, and store in an air-tight container in the fridge. Before using return batter to room temperature and stir lightly.
Cinnamon sugar filling: do not make it until you’re ready to use it
Cream cheese frosting: you could make it a day ahead, but it’s so easy I do it while the muffins cool
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Cinnamon Roll Muffins
Cinnamon Roll Muffins have all the flavors of your favorite indulgent cinnamon rolls, in an easy-to-eat, handheld bite. Swirled and topped with a mouthwatering cinnamon sugar filling, and finished with a wonderful cream cheese drizzle, these are hard to resist.
Ingredients
MUFFINS
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1 egg, large
- 1 cup milk
TOPPING & FILLING
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 3 Tablespoons melted butter
FROSTING
- 2 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 Tablespoon milk
- dash of vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place paper muffin liners inside each well of a 12-cup muffin pan.
- BATTER: In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. In a separate bowl, combine eggs, milk, and oil.
- Slowly pour wet ingredients into dry, stirring constantly. The batter should have a smooth consistency that's thicker than pancakes but still mixes easily.
- Pour about 1/4 cup of batter into each muffin cup. When done, you'll have 1/4 of the mixture left in the bowl
- CINNAMON SUGAR FILLING: Melt butter in a small bowl, and add brown sugar and cinnamon. Stir briskly to combine well, and it should look like a thick syrup. Add about 1/2 teaspoon of sugar mixture into each cup. Take a toothpick and swirl mixture into the batter
- Distribute remaining batter equally among all muffins
- If the remaining sugar mixture is clumpy, reheat in the microwave for about 10 seconds. Use a spoon to drizzle mixture evenly across all muffins and swirl very lightly.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes, until an inserted toothpick or cake tester comes out clean. Remove muffins from muffin pan, and set on a baking rack to cool
- FROSTING: In a bowl, add cream cheese, milk, vanilla, and powdered sugar. Whisk well until smooth.
- Spoon frosting into a piping bag or plastic bag. Carefully cut a very small piece off the end of the bag. Put one hand around the top of the bag, squeezing out the air; carefully hold the bottom of the bag, and drizzle frosting on muffins
Notes
Don’t over-mix the batter or the Cinnamon Roll Muffins will be dense.
The filling mixture will get clumpy as soon as the butter begins to cool…and that doesn’t take long. So when that happens reheat it in the microwave for about 10 seconds.
Let the muffins cool for 10 minutes before adding the frosting. Otherwise, the frosting will melt into the muffin topping.
MAKE-AHEAD INSTRUCTIONS
The great thing about making Cinnamon Roll Muffins ahead is that you can make them whenever the craving hits! You can also make just a couple or an entire batch.
Batter: Make it up to 5 days ahead, and store in an air-tight container in the fridge. Before using return batter to room temperature and stir lightly.
Cinnamon sugar filling: do not make it until you’re ready to use it
Cream cheese frosting: you could make it a day ahead, but it’s so easy I do it while the muffins cool
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 12 muffinsAmount Per Serving: Calories: 254Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 227mgCarbohydrates: 39gFiber: 1gSugar: 25gProtein: 3g
Nutrient values are estimates only. Variations may occur due to product availability and food preparation. Nutrition may vary based on methods of preparation, origin and freshness of ingredients, etc
Susan
Monday 1st of January 2024
I made these for breakfast New Years Day 2024 and the only issue I had was that the cupcake papers didn’t come off very easy and only left the filling and the top. I think next time I’m not using the papers and will spray the tin. But they are good.
Kelly Anthony
Thursday 15th of August 2019
I love cinnamon rolls for breakfast but I don't always want to go through the trouble of making them. These cinnamon roll muffins are a great alternative to still enjoying a warm cinnamon treat for breakfast.
Karyl
Thursday 29th of August 2019
You're right Kelly, sometimes the cinnamon rolls are a lot of work. That's why I love the muffins, especially that you can make just what you need
Mirlene
Tuesday 4th of December 2018
Karyl, these look sinfully good! I know for sure my children will go crazy for these muffins. Not to mention, they look as if they would be delicious with coffee. I am so interested in trying this recipe. After all, it's cinnamon roll muffins, right :-).
Karyl
Saturday 8th of December 2018
Thanks so much Mirlene! I will admit, I added extra frosting right before I ate them :) They are perfect with coffee on a cold morning
Cheese Curd In Paradise
Tuesday 4th of December 2018
Excellent recipe! I love the crumbly topping and the sweet frosting! Perfect recreation of a breakfast favorite!
Karyl
Saturday 8th of December 2018
Thank you so much! I really appreciate the kind words
Catalina
Tuesday 4th of December 2018
Can I have these muffins for breakfast tomorrow? They are making me hungry! Look so good!
Karyl
Saturday 8th of December 2018
Haha yes you can! They are delicious Catalina, thank you so much