 |
After taking last weekend off, it felt really good being in the kitchen today. I actually missed dirty dishes. Ha! Yeah right. What was first on the menu? Why, donuts of course! Oh and cupcakes. More on those later. 
Like a giddy little kid on Christmas morning, I hopped out of bed to make a batch of my Nutella Stuffed Cinnamon Sugar Muffins today. As I began creaming the butter and sugar together for the batter, I realized that I forgot a very imperative ingredient at the store last night. Nutella! I know. I KNOW! I’m so ashamed. Duh Sally.
So I did what any normal person would do. I made teeny tiny powdered sugar donut muffins instead.
I simply love powdered sugar donuts. Filled with raspberry jam, chocolate cream, or simply plain – I can never say no to those snowy covered donuts staring at me behind the counter. Today’s mini donut muffins are not filled with anything, but they come with a lot of sweet flavor and cakey texture. I call them donut muffins because they taste like dense cakey bite-sized donuts. We can even just go ahead and call them munchkins.
The donut muffins are made with white-whole wheat flour, are incredibly soft, and very moist thanks to the creamed butter and milk in the batter. How did they come together? Let’s find out.
First, I creamed 5 Tablespoons of butter with 1/2 cup of sugar with a handheld electric mixer. You will use the other 3 Tablespoons from the stick of butter for the powdered sugar coating. No worries there! I chose butter as the fat in this recipe because I wanted its rich flavor in the baked donut muffins, as opposed to using a neutral tasting oil.
To the creamed butter and sugar, add 1 egg, vanilla extract, and milk. I used vanilla almond milk in today’s donut muffins, but cow’s milk, soy milk, or rice milk will be just fine. Put your electric mixer down and manually stir in your dry ingredients to the same bowl.
We’re using flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and a touch of salt as the dry ingredients. I was going to leave the cinnamon out, but I just love adding it to my baked goods. And it does not overpower the batter at all. In fact, I truly feel the cinnamon in the batter made these donut muffins taste even better than any powdered sugar donut I’ve ever tasted. Don’t leave out the cinnamon!
The batter will be quite thick once everything is mixed together. Try not to overmix everything, as overmixing will lead to dry, crumbly, dense, and hard muffins. I’d rather eat a green bean covered in powered sugar than a dry, hard muffin.
Bake the donut muffins in a mini-muffin pan. Or even as regular standard size muffins. I got 20 mini little munchkins out of this recipe, perfect to enjoy a few myself and share the rest. 
The donut muffins are quite quick in the oven – taking only about 11-12 minutes at 400F. Be sure to watch them closely before or around the 11 minute mark. When they begin to brown around the edges, they are done.
As the mini muffins cool, get everything together for the coating. And when I say everything, I mean melted butter and powdered sugar. Easy peasy. About 3/4 cup of powdered sugar and 3 Tablespoons of melted butter will do the trick.
Submerge the muffins into the melted butter then plop them into the powdered sugar. Coat the muffins all the way around. A little bit of powdered sugar does NOT go a long way – you really want to coat each one fairly well. Use more powdered sugar or melted butter if you need to.
Enjoy the little munchkins with your little munchkins. Or in my case, plopped on the couch in my jammies with a cup of coffee. I love lazy mornings. And there is everything “lazy” about these donut muffins. They are SO effortless to make!
I think I found my new favorite breakfast – and I’m pretty sure you’re going to flip for these as well. You could even add cinnamon to the powdered sugar to make them cinnamon/sugar coated. Ahh! Why didn’t I do that? Next time. Because there will be a next time. Maybe tomorrow when these are all gone.
PS: bite-sized treats are more fun to eat. FACT.
|
makes 18-20 mini muffins
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup (5 Tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup milk (cow's milk, soy milk, almond, or rice are fine)
- 1 and 1/2 cups white whole wheat flour (or all-purpose flour)
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F. Spray mini muffin pan with cooking spray and set aside.
- In a large bowl using a handheld or stand mixer, cream 1/3 cup butter and granulated sugar together on medium speed. Mix in the egg, vanilla extract, and milk. Gently stir in flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt by hand. DO NOT overmix – stir until just combined.
- Spoon batter into prepared muffin tin - about 2/3 of the way full. I got exactly 20 mini muffins from the batter. Fill the empty muffin tins halfway with water for even baking.
- Bake for 11-12 minutes, watching the muffins closely. They are done when the edges begin to brown and the centers are set. Allow muffins to cool for about 5 minutes.
- While the muffins are cooling, prepare the topping. Melt 3 Tablespoons of butter for about 30 seconds in a small bowl in the microwave. Stir and stick back in microwave if not fully melted. Pour the powdered sugar in a separate small bowl. Fully submerge each muffin into the melted butter and then into the powdered sugar. Coat all sides generously and evenly with powdered sugar. Use more melted butter or powdered sugar if needed. Set upright on cooling rack. Donut muffins taste best eaten on the same day. They will stay fresh in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
Notes
Recipe source: my Nutella Stuffed Cinnamon Sugar Muffins
© Sally’s Baking Addiction. All images & content are copyright protected. Please do not use my images without prior permission. If you want to republish this recipe, please re-write the recipe in your own words, or link back to this post for the recipe.
Bet you’re wondering about those Nutella Stuffed Cinnamon- Sugar Muffins, huh? Well if you’re new around here – you MUST check them out.
Do you like bite-sized treats? I obviously do. Here are some of my favorite little guys:
Healthy Peanut Butter Chocolate Energy Bites
Bite-Sized Peanut Butter Pretzel M&M Cookies
Mini Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Muffins
{ 102 comments… read them below or add one }
Totally true that bite sized are better! These are SO stunning Sally. I want to lick that powdered sugar.
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust recently posted..Google+ Blog Hop!
I love bite size treats! These looks so yummy! LOVE powdered sugar! Thanks for sharing!
Pamela recently posted..Heavenly Treats Sunday Link Party #35
Look at those little bites of deliciousness! And I bet they are so much fun to make! I mean, we are talking rolling in sugar
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet recently posted..Chocolate Ganache Heart Cake
Thanks Anna! They were SO much fun to make! I love bite-sized treats like this.
Oh my goodness, Sally – these look A-mazing! I loved powdered donuts growing up, so I know I’ll love these! And I totally agree with adding cinnamon to the batter. I added some to my banana chocolate chip muffins this morning and it gave them just the right punch of flavor without overpowering, even if I have a heavy hand when it comes to cinnamon (love it!). Cannot wait to make these! And I LOVE your cute bowls! Where did you find those? They are adorable.
Hi Cory! Thank you so so much. Cinnamon makes a HUGE difference! I love these new bowls! I bought them at Anthropologie: http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/home-tabletop-dinnerware/873036.jsp
Adorable little puffballs! I can only imagine how many places powdered sugar ended up (for days later) after this photo shoot was done
I havent made donuts (or muffins) in ages. I am not usually a muffin-maker and almost dusted off my donut pan this week, but it got trumped for something else.
You have the patience of a saint, too, to work with mini stuff. It tastes better and oh yes I do believe that! but it’s a PITA at times. haha!
Love your Anthro bowls. I have them both and they have served me exceedingly well the past year or so since I’ve had mine. I actually bought them for a project I was working on last year. You will love them! Super versatile!
Averie @ Averie Cooks recently posted..Alexia Foods Gourmet Cooking Prize-Pack Giveaway
I love the bowls! I just found them at anthro. I also bought some plates to match.
And yes, I love these puffballs! it’s been ages since I made donuts too Averie!
They look just like the donettes! mMMM
Yes! I love the little donettes
Thanks Erin!
EEEEEE!!!!! They’re even whole wheat!!!! I am in sososo much love! Powdered sugar donuts are totally a weakness of mine, and I just want to dive through my screen and eat them all. This recipe looks so great Sally!!
Ari @ Ari’s Menu recently posted..Weekend Ramblings
I know, the whole wheat flour is so sneaky – you can’t even tell a difference b/c I’ve made these with all-purpose as well Ari! I freaking love mini donuts.
Adorable! My son will love these. I love coming back to your site to see what beautiful creations I need to make next! I’m going to make these and your peanut butter pretzel cookies tomorrow…..AFTER I do an exercise video:)
Hi Meredith! I love those mini pb pretzel cookies. They are so cute. And I think you will love these little donut muffins too – they are so easy to make! ENJOY!
Can you make chocolate glazed next?
I think I could handle that…
i love chocolate glazed donuts!
Bite-sized treats are absolutely more fun to eat! Couldn’t agree more.
These look fabulous, as always, Sally!
Colleen @ What’s Baking in the Barbershop?! recently posted..Loaded M&M Chocolate Chip Cookies
Thank YOU Colleen, as always my dear! Enjoy your Sunday!
ahhh they’re so cute! Bite sized are def. more fun!
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) recently posted..Something Saturdays (2/2/13)
Love this! My brother and I ate these by the truckload when we were little. I never imagined making them myself but can now – thanks to you!
Eva @ Eva Bakes recently posted..Hamentashen (Jewish filled triangle cookies)
Eva, I like my homemade version much better than the store-bought anyway. Now I have no excuse to buy them! They are even healthier too – baked and with whole wheat flour.
Thanks Eva! Hope you enjoy them if you make them!
as much as i would love to eat these…i can imagine the mess my boys would create with all this powdered sugar…hhmmm…i am sure it IS worth it. they love bite size.
angela @ anotherbiteplease recently posted..Liebster Award Nomination
Yep – a huge powdered sugar mess.
I had to wash my hands and counter quite a bit lol. Thanks Angela!
i miss my dunkin donuts munchkins but these are really close!!! thanks!!!
You’re welcome Lynn! I like these even better than DD’s!
Those are adorable Sally
They really do look like donut holes!
Laura Dembowski recently posted..Biscoff Stuffed Apple Muffins
oooooooo I am so going to have to try these out!
Sue Ware@The Witch’s Kitchen recently posted..Minnesota Fun~
Let me know if you do Sue! I think you’d love them. Thank you!
You have some of the BEST RECIPES on your website.
Do you create these recipes yourself? If so, I am so
impressed.
I do have trouble trying to print your recipes. I usually
end up just copying them by hand. Any idea why I can’t
get them to print?
Thanks for sharing all of these recipes with us!!!!
Hi J! Yes, I create the recipes myself unless otherwise noted. Thank you so much! My printing option is down and has been for a week or two. I’ve put in a query to have it fixed. Thank you for the sweet comment.
This is a genius muffin idea, with or without the Nutella. They look delish.
Thanks Jennie!
This would be such a great recipe for a birthday! In my family, we always have
Breakfast in bed for the birthday boy/girl, and these muffins would be fun and different than the usual Krispy Kreme doughnuts or pancakes.
Hi Avery! These would be so fun for a birthday breakfast. And even more fun eaten in bed. Maybe even add some sprinkles.
Sally! I am OBSESSING over these donut muffins. What adorable and delicious munchkins they are! Seriously, I think my 4 years of high school lunches consisted of powdered or chocolate donuts and a Coke. Not the healthiest, but it always brings me back to younger times
I never minded the powdery face or fingers! I must make these tomorrow AM when I’m cranking out your banana bread recipe– love!
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel recently posted..Zagnut Chow
Hehe thanks miss Hayley! And your HW lunches – classic. I used to eat 2 cinnamon sugar poptarts from the school vending machine for a snack everyday lol. So healthy.
If only we had a dish washing fairy!
I don’t mind doing the dishes. I really don’t. I just can’t stand the site of the sink being full of them! I have major OCD.
Now these donuts? Uh yeah – I need them for breakfast. And lunch. And dinner. And during work time, i.e. midnight snack please
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious recently posted..Bacon-Wrapped Chili Cheese Dogs #SundaySupper
dish washing fairy. ugh I wish they existed. that is the WORST part of this job Chung-ah! I am constantly doing dishes! Maybe I can get Kevin to start doing them…
These look so delicious…the nutella muffins are still on my list to make, but these have been added as well!
Joy @ Baking-Joy recently posted..Salted peanut & white chocolate monster cookies
Munchkins….haha…thats too cute and they look like a perfect breakfast snack to me as well
Regina @ SpecialtyCakeCreations recently posted..White Chocolate Macadamia Cake
Thanks Regina!
Hope you’re having a great weekend!
These just came out of the oven this morning. Very easy to make and tasted good. I used 1/3 cup of sugar instead of the 1/2 cup in the batter. I was able to get 24 mini muffins from your recipe.
I’ll try the 1/3 cup of sugar next time! I’m so glad you made them. They are so easy to make! Thanks for reporting back on FB too
So cute, Sally! Who doesn’t love mini food?
Ikhlas recently posted..Review: The Madman’s Daughter
totally agree, Ikhlas!! Thank you
These look so good! I’ve been wanting to make the nutella stuffed muffins but have (unfortunately) had to make real food at least once or twice this week. These look tasty, too! Bite sized food is the best!
Kelly @ Hidden Fruits and Veggies recently posted..Healthy Gluten Free Donuts with Nuts
Let me know if/when you try these or the nutella stuffed version Kelly!
Another great breakfast recipe to try! Do you think it would be OK to put the batter into my donut pan? Thanks.
Hi Maria! Yep, these mini donut muffins may be baked as larger donuts in your donut pan or even as larger muffins.
Just wanted to come back and let you know, the donuts were great! I did use the donut pan; but had a bit of batter left, so I used my mini muffin pan too. Both sizes were a hit with the family. We are snowed in here in NE, so I think my new winter motto will be: “When in a blizzard, make powered donuts!”
Thanks for reporting back Maria! I must try them in a donut pan.
I love the motto! Stay safe and warm up there!!
How delectable! I totally understand your predicament–I’ve forgotten to buy the main ingredients for things like chocolate-covered strawberries…kind of difficult to dip things when you don’t have, you know, dippable things. (Fortunately, everything else dipped in chocolate tastes just as good–good thing we’re flexible gals, yes?)
Ala recently posted..Cookie Butter PB&J Bars
I’ve forgotten main ingredients to many recipes before and had to make emergency trips to the store! But these were a quick and very tasty fix to my predicament. Good thing we’re flexible is right Ala!
You are killing me with these recipes! Add this one to something I need to make once the fast is over. Donuts are probably my favorite thing ever! Well, besides coffee.
Donuts are my favorite thing in the morning – WITH coffee.
Thanks Jill! Let me know if you make these one day after your fast.
Sooooo since these are tiny…they’re sort of like muffin vitamins really. I can eat like 12 of them and be supercharged and ready to start my morning? I thought so
Jess @ OnSugarMountain recently posted..Sweetheart Strawberry Fudge
Yep, you’re exactly right Jess!
I am so happy to find this recipe Sally. Bite sized baked donuts…ahhh truly delicious:). Looks fabulous:)
Nina recently posted..Olive Oil Short Bread – A Guilt Free Indulgence
These little doughnut muffins look delicious! I’ve made doughnut muffins before by just dipping muffins in sugar, but I love how mini muffins look like munchkins. Adorable.
Good luck with getting the dirty dishes cleaned up! I hope you feel rejuvenated after your kitchen break
Emilia recently posted..Croissants in Paris (a butter-coated round up)
It was so lovely to take a break last weekend and these were the perfect, EASY recipe to get back going on Saturday.
The dishes? not so much! Thanks Emilia =)
How cute! I love those little fluted dishes you included. They appear to be made specifically for donut holes.
I used to go crazy for powdered-sugar donuts too…they had a kind of cooling aspect to them, somehow…
Thanks Caley! I love those little dishes as well.
I recently got them from Anthropologie.
Such a good idea, Sally! These remind me of my childhood but I would much prefer a homemade version!
Cassie | Bake Your Day recently posted..Mocha-Java Milkshakes
These are so cute!! That’s so smart to use a mini muffin pan to make donut “holes.” (:
Caroline @ Pass the Cocoa recently posted..Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries
these were my favorite as a kid! can’t wait to try ‘em
sarah k @ the pajama chef recently posted..Menu Plan
They taste exactly like the kinds I ate as a kiddo! I even like them better. Bonus points that they are whole wheat too
Thanks Sarah!
Mini treats ARE always more delicious, strangely. These look so cute and perfect for sinful snacking! Love em, Sally!
I have to admit, I still love the mini-powdered sugar donuts, even as an adult! So I KNOW I’d love these–such a perfect little mid-morning snack. I usually need a sugar pick-me-up mid-morning at work!
You come up with the best ideas, Sally!
Ashley @ Kitchen Meets Girl recently posted..Light Cherry Cheesecake
Made these this morning before school. Did not like the butter dipped donuts so much, so skipped that and just rolled in sugar. Delicious and super easy to make. Gave some out at school to another mom, just to prevent me from eating the whole batch… Thanks for great recipes!!
So glad to hear that Catherine! I didn’t mind the butter dipped ones.
Thanks for reporting back!
I am totally happy you didn’t have Nutella in your pantry because I am loving these little donuts!
Nicole @ youngbrokeandhungry recently posted..Valentine’s Day Gifts For Her
Being without Nutella must have been fate.
Thanks Nicole!
I could down an entire batch of these within minutes… totally adding to my “must make” list!
ashley – baker by nature recently posted..Chocolate – Chili Roll Out Cookies
Ha! Same here Ashley. If you make them, let me know how they tuwn out!
Oh wow, why didn’t I ever think to make these?! I have seen the cinnamon sugar doughnut muffins, so I would think that powdered sugar doughnut muffins should have popped into mind, ha! They look incredible Sally!
Liz (Little Bitty Bakes) recently posted..Toffee Oatmeal Blondies
I’m making them into mini cinnamon sugar donut holes next Liz! But I love the powedered sugar version too
You’d love these!
Love mini donuts, these look wonderful! Although, I will admit, I would love them dipped in Nutella
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes and Desserts recently posted..Gooey Chocolate Chip Toffee Bars #ChocolateParty
Oh my gosh! I love that these are baked!! Then I can eat more!
That was my thinking too Steph.
I could really do myself in with these! Holy moly do they ever sound good!
Miss @ Miss in the Kitchen recently posted..Homemade Hawaiian Smoked Sausage Pizza
Hi Sally,
I love your recipes and PB =0) Just wondering if the butter in this recipe can be cut down or replaced with yogurt?
Thanks for another great Recipe =0)
You could sub half of the butter for yogurt. The donut muffins may not be as soft. I suggest using vanilla yogurt for some flavor too. Thanks Emily!
Hello Sally! I was wondering if you were to put a filling in these what would you use? Just wondering.
Thanks!
You could use a frosting piping bag with a very small tip to fill them after they are finished baking. Or layer in 1 tsp of batter, 1 tsp of your filling, then 1 tsp of your batter into the muffin tins before baking.
By the way sorry for stocking you! LOL!
Oops! :/ I’m so sorry I meant to ask like what would you put in them.
Haha!
Thank you! And sorry again!!!!
jam, nutella, whatever you’d like!
Ok thank you I just wanted some ideas! Sorry again for the confusion!
I made these this morning and they were so good! The whole family loved them! Thanks for sharing.
That’s so great to hear Haylie! Thank you so much for reporting back about them!
Oh my…these look delightful! Thank you so much for sharing:) I am visiting from the Chef In Training link party:)
Shannon recently posted..Chocolate Cherry Cake
So glad you found my website from the link party!
Thanks Shannon!
I have never thought to make these at home and I’m not sure why. I’m really excited
Thank you for sharing!
Stopping by from Talent Show Tuesday – pinned to share.
Sarah E recently posted..Tasty Thursday #97: Chicken Scampi
Thanks so much for pinning Sarah! Glad you found these muffins
Wow Sally these look so good! I love making muffins and everytime I make them I can’t beleive I don’t make them more. They are so easy and the best fresh out of the oven with a cup of coffee…sighh… I think I will indeed make some sort of muffin this weekend. Thanks!!
Hey Keelin! I love these little mini donut muffins! Sometimes I double my muffin recipes and freeze any extras so I’m never without a muffin
Hey Sally,
Just love your site and recipes… haven’t made one yet but this is It! My all time favourite treats growing up were 1) Big powdered sugar donuts with lemon filling, and 2) those mini donuts covered in powdered sugar from the grocery store! Just… delicious. I developed a severe dairy allergy 12 years ago, so neither have been in my life for so long. People ask all the time how I liiiive without cheese and butter, but I could care less, I miss my treats like those donuts! Anyways, I am so excited to try these, using almond milk and earth balance butter, wondering if you think I could make these in a normal muffin tin? I don’t have a mini… Or would it work to make small balls in a normal muffin tin?
Thanks
Hi Shira! These mini donuts will definitely work with almond milk and earth balance – no problem at all. BAke them as regular size muffins, rather than mini muffins in a large muffin pan. I think you’ll love them! Let me know how they turn out.
I just have to say these were absolutely amazing!! Made them today and they were sooooo delicious…. At the end I did make some that were coated in cinnamon sugar as well like you had mentioned and they just melted in my mouth! Such a great recipe.. Thanks Sally .. Look forward to trying more if your recipes
I love them coated in cinnamon sugar! Thanks so much Alexa, I’m very glad you loved them!
These look absolutely delicious — I can’t wait to make some! So glad I came across your blog!
I’m so glad you came across my blog as well! Let me know how you like them.