Breads/ Breakfast/ Muffins & Scones/ Recipes

Cinnamon Toast Muffins

If you’re like me, cinnamon toast was one of your favorite childhood snacks. Heck, it’s one of my favorite adult snacks. I love the way the cinnamon and sugar melts into the butter on the toast and crackles with each and every sweet bite.

There’s just something so homey and comforting about it, you know?

For the past week and a half, I’ve had spice muffins on my mind.

Not gingerbread because it’s too early for that, and not a heavily frosted cupcake either… although I did have a delightful carrot cake cupcake with cream cheese frosting from Whole Foods last night for dessert but that’s beside the point.

I wanted a muffin so I could rationalize my breakfast decision.

I wanted a muffin so I could pretend I was being healthy.

Okay fine. I wanted to eat a cupcake and pretend it was a muffin.

Actually, these spice muffins are on the healthy side. They’re made with a minimal amount of vegetable oil and half whole wheat flour. Oh! And right when they come out of the oven, you roll them in a mixture of butter, sugar and cinnamon.

Butter’s healthy, right?

After they cool, the cinnamon/sugar/butter mixture hardens a little on the muffin tops, reminding me of cinnamon toast in the best way possible.

Here’s what you need for success:

It might look like a long ingredient list but these babies come together in about half an hour, making them the perfect after school snack or breakfast.

All you do is mix together the white flour, whole wheat flour, spices, baking powder and salt in a large bowl.

And mix together the vegetable oil, egg, sugar and milk in another bowl and then combine the two, stirring gently.

Spoon the batter into greased a muffin pan and bake for twenty five minutes at 350.

And then right when they come out of the oven, pop ’em out and dunk them in a mixture of melted butter, cinnamon and sugar. This is the best part!


Let the muffins cool a bit (or not) before stuffing your face.

See? I told you they were easy!

Cinnamon Toast Muffins

makes nine muffins

1 cup all purpose flour

3/4 cup whole wheat flour

3/4 cup milk

3/4 cup sugar

1.5 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/4 tsp ground ginger

1/3 cup oil

1 egg

For topping:

4 tablespoons butter

1/2 cup sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

Stir together the flours, spices, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, combine the milk, oil, egg and sugar. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and stir only until combined. Scoop into a greased muffin pan and bake at 350 for about twenty five minutes.

During the last five minutes of baking, melt the butter on the stove and add the sugar and cinnamon. Right when the muffins come out of the oven, pop them out and dunk them in the butter mixture. Let cool and devour.

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  • Tabitha (From Single to Married)
    September 23, 2010 at 2:35 pm

    Oh yes – cinnamon toast was most definitely one of my favorite snacks as a kid! πŸ™‚ Sounds good right about now, actually…

  • Val @ Balancing Val
    September 23, 2010 at 2:37 pm

    My muffin pan has that crap on it too! I can’t get it off, I think it just stays that way from the cooking spray as a badge of honor πŸ™‚

  • Lauren at KeepItSweet
    September 23, 2010 at 2:40 pm

    yum i love cinnamon anything

  • Rocio
    September 23, 2010 at 2:40 pm

    This is brilliant! Yet another recipe I will have to try!

  • emily hall
    September 23, 2010 at 2:43 pm

    Sounds so good! I had cinnamon sugar baked french toast for dinner last night!!!

    There’s nothing better than cinnamon and sugar!!!!

  • Maria @ Oh Healthy Day
    September 23, 2010 at 2:44 pm

    What I love about these is that almost all the ingredients should already be in your pantry/frig, so you can make them at any time. Score!

  • Mara @ What's For Dinner?
    September 23, 2010 at 2:46 pm

    These look fantastic!! I’ll surely try them once i have my oven back.

  • OC2Seattle
    September 23, 2010 at 2:48 pm

    Hooray for cinnamon toast muffins! Or cinnamon toast anything for that matter. Confession: addicted to Cinnamon Toast Cereal – so much so that it is banned from the house lest I demolish the entire box in one sitting πŸ˜‰

  • Shutupandrun
    September 23, 2010 at 2:50 pm

    round here we eat cinnamon toast every day. I cannot wait for these muffins.

  • Rachel @ Fit Fun and Fabulous
    September 23, 2010 at 2:52 pm

    MmmmM!!!

  • grocery goddess jen
    September 23, 2010 at 2:52 pm

    Holy Moly Batman. Those look delicious, and you’re right – I LOOOOOVVVEEEE cinnamon toast. You are awesome.

  • Mary (What's Cookin' with Mary)
    September 23, 2010 at 2:58 pm

    Whenever my Mom and I wanted a *treat* after dinner when I was growing up, she’d make whole wheat toast and top it with butter, cinn & sugar. Brings back good memories πŸ™‚ For the record, I still eat cinn toast πŸ˜€

  • Marie @ ReciPeas & Musings
    September 23, 2010 at 2:59 pm

    Oh I’ve always loved cinnamon toast… can’t wait to make these!

  • Victoria
    September 23, 2010 at 2:59 pm

    Definitely one of my favorite childhood (and current) snacks. Making it into a muffin is such a fun idea.

  • Jasmine @ Eat Move Write
    September 23, 2010 at 3:01 pm

    I think my husband would love these. The clincher is the butter/sugar/cinnamon topping. Love that idea! I crave spice cake, so this will fit the bill.

  • Steph@stephsbitebybite
    September 23, 2010 at 3:09 pm

    Ok now you’ve done it! Two of the best things cinnamon toast and muffins in one! I think I just felt my pants get tighter πŸ™‚

  • hiplip
    September 23, 2010 at 3:17 pm

    I made these a couple months ago – there was a recipe going around blog-world called “muffins that taste like donuts” … it’s the same except the milk. So good!

  • kate
    September 23, 2010 at 3:20 pm

    Ive been on a serious cinnamon kick lately!

  • Tina
    September 23, 2010 at 3:21 pm

    I was going to say the same thing about the muffins that taste like donuts-I made them recently also-they were done in no time!

  • The Wife of a Dairyman
    September 23, 2010 at 3:21 pm

    I believe butter is healthy, it’s made with a natural, wholesome product! Everything in moderation! Your muffins look delishious:)

  • Jil @ Peace, Love & Munchies
    September 23, 2010 at 3:24 pm

    Love this!! Definitely trying!!

  • Estela @ Weekly Bite
    September 23, 2010 at 3:25 pm

    Cinnamon toast is a classic! Makes perfect sense to transform it into a muffin πŸ™‚

  • Sana
    September 23, 2010 at 3:30 pm

    I love muffins and cupcakes because they are the perfect serving size!

  • eatmovelove
    September 23, 2010 at 3:34 pm

    Oh.

    My.

    Lord.

    You had me at Cinnamon (of course), and then – Muffins? Oh, this recipe is being written down now and will be in the oven soon. Thank you Lord.

    (as if I needed another excuse to eat muffins…oh more lying around…)

    • eatmovelove
      September 23, 2010 at 3:35 pm

      …um, meant to say ” OR more lying around” …as in muffins…cause I have alot…shut it right? Shut.

  • Kathryn
    September 23, 2010 at 3:40 pm

    Cinnamon is a natural appetite suppressant (no idea if that is true, just heard it) so those muffins are totally healthy!

  • Heather (Heather's Dish)
    September 23, 2010 at 3:55 pm

    i think i’m going to have to double the cinnamon mixture and roll the whole muffin in there! yum!

  • Jamie @ Food in Real Life
    September 23, 2010 at 4:01 pm

    I would burn a hole in my tongue trying to eat one *right* out of the oven. I think it would be worth it! They sound wonderful and very comforting!

  • theemptynutjar
    September 23, 2010 at 4:06 pm

    That looks cute…it kind of looks like a whole-wheat bun from my hazy eyesight. Muffins actually are great at breakfast with nut butter and jam and a big bowl of yogurt with other add-ins. and eggs and Stuff like that.

  • stacey-healthylife
    September 23, 2010 at 4:08 pm

    Those are amazing. I used to make mini ones similar to those when I was little.

  • Kristina @ spabettie
    September 23, 2010 at 4:09 pm

    these look perfect. I love cinnamon. and melty butter. πŸ˜€

  • Liz @ Tip Top Shape
    September 23, 2010 at 4:09 pm

    I made muffins similar to this but it was all white flour. These look good, though!!

  • Rachael
    September 23, 2010 at 4:25 pm

    Cinnamon toast crunch – childhood’s best dessert-for-breakfast…I used to slurp up the sugar-cinnamon-crack milk left at the bottom of the bowl with gusto! Great idea for a muffin!

  • Christina
    September 23, 2010 at 4:33 pm

    OMG those look delicious! thanks for the recipe πŸ™‚

  • chelsey @ clean eating chelsey
    September 23, 2010 at 5:20 pm

    loooove cinnamon toast – it is so good. We used to actually have a spice shaker filled with cinnamon sugar just for that alone!!

  • Laura (Starloz)
    September 23, 2010 at 5:30 pm

    i missed out, i never had cinnamon toast as a child

  • Salah@myhealthiestlifestyle
    September 23, 2010 at 6:02 pm

    holy moly, those sound and look sooooo amazing! Cinnamon toast was by far a fav in high school

  • Beth
    September 23, 2010 at 6:29 pm

    This looks AMAZING! Thanks for sharing your recipe! I can’t wait to make these this weekend πŸ™‚

  • Jessica @ The Process of Healing
    September 23, 2010 at 6:40 pm

    If it has whole wheat flour anywhere in it, it’s healthy πŸ˜‰

  • Susan@MomSwimBikeRun
    September 23, 2010 at 6:49 pm

    I love that cinnamon toast inspired these. That was most definitely one of my childhood favorites. I’ve forgotten to teach my kids about it!!! Maybe I should stick with the “healthy” muffins?!?!

  • lauren @ laurenINlawrence
    September 23, 2010 at 7:06 pm

    looks delicious, as always!

  • Paige @Running Around Normal
    September 23, 2010 at 7:09 pm

    Aaaand just like that I have a craving for cinnamon toast;)

  • Jess @ NZ Girl Runs
    September 23, 2010 at 7:11 pm

    Oh. My. Goodness. I have to make these, right now.

  • Jodie
    September 23, 2010 at 7:54 pm

    W-O-W. These look phenomenal!! My kids can eat an entire loaf of bread if I make cinnamon toast for them. These would be devoured in my circus house. Thanks!

  • Annie@stronghealthyfit
    September 23, 2010 at 8:12 pm

    Cinnamon toast definitely brings back good childhood memories. My mom would make it for me as a treat πŸ™‚

  • Cyndi
    September 23, 2010 at 8:31 pm

    Thnaks for all of the directions. Love it!

  • Amber K
    September 23, 2010 at 8:35 pm

    Must…stop…drooling! lol Yum!

  • Moni'sMeals
    September 23, 2010 at 9:15 pm

    They look scumptous, if they are anything like cinnamon toast crunch cereal, sign me up with a tall glass of almond milk. πŸ˜‰ I like how they seem fluffy and airy.

  • Peggy
    September 23, 2010 at 9:26 pm

    Oooh, I think I just found a way to get my boyfriend to love me more… πŸ˜‰ Amazing.

  • Jessica @ How Sweet It Is
    September 23, 2010 at 9:27 pm

    I need these.

  • Camille
    September 23, 2010 at 9:31 pm

    These look EPIC!
    I looove cinnamon/sugar toast πŸ™‚

  • Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga)
    September 24, 2010 at 2:43 am

    I actually made a vegan GF cinnamon sugar streusel-ey kind of muffin a month or so ago. Basically just wing it, throw some things together, and it worked. Any time one has vast amounts of cinnamon, sugar, brown sugar and butter/margarine, you’re guaranteed a party in your mouth. Yours look awesome!

    πŸ™‚

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin
    September 24, 2010 at 4:32 am

    Cinnamon toast was one of my favourite breakfasts as a kid! Now I kind of cringe at how unhealthy it was, with all that butter and sugar! πŸ˜›

  • Kristin (Cook, Bake and Nibble)
    September 24, 2010 at 4:54 am

    Mmm, these sound fantastic!

    xo
    Kris

  • Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down)
    September 24, 2010 at 5:24 am

    I love, love, love the sound (and look) of these muffins!

    I used to eat cinnamon sugar on my buttered toast allll the time as a kid. Totally delicious. πŸ˜€

  • megan @ whatmegansmaking
    September 24, 2010 at 5:29 am

    These are similar to the muffins I just made – muffins that taste like doughnuts. Another perfect breakfast treat, when you really want dessert πŸ™‚

  • Andrea
    September 24, 2010 at 5:32 am

    Oh my. These look wonderful. I think I’m going to try these this weekend. My boys love cinnamon toast!

  • MyThy as in "Mighty"
    September 24, 2010 at 6:58 am

    I’ve been craving pumpkin bread/muffins in anticipation for fall so I made these babies yesterday w/ 1 CUP of chocolate chips (channeling you of course!) and making one loaf and 10 muffins. Yummers!

    Now I’ve got my eye on Pumpkin cinnamon rolls! πŸ˜‰ http://donteatoffthesidewalk.com/?p=129

    Good G.A.W.D.:
    http://www.postpunkkitchen.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=44407&p=1

    Have you made cinnamon rolls before? How ’bout a tutorial? I’ve never made them & it looks intimidating!

  • Exmodel
    September 24, 2010 at 7:25 am

    yea pumpkin cinnamon rolls almost sound to good to be true, one of you food bloggers needs to invent this recipe for me πŸ˜€

  • Clare
    September 24, 2010 at 7:29 am

    Look like HEAVEN. Reminds me of another childhood fav – cinnamon toast crunch!

  • jenny
    September 24, 2010 at 8:01 am

    Those look good! I love muffins/cupcakes:)

  • Jemma @ Celeryandcupcakes.wordpress.com
    September 24, 2010 at 8:45 am

    Delicious…I keep seeing tpo many recipes on blogs that I’m going to have to try. This is definetly one of them!

  • Laura Georgina
    September 24, 2010 at 8:57 am

    Jenna, I am definitely in the top five World’s Worst Bakers, and I have to say that these came out AMAZING!! I made them this morning and I think I might have a slight problem in that A) half of them were already devoured and B) I might be addicted. Love em!

    • jenna
      September 24, 2010 at 8:58 am

      so glad! πŸ™‚

  • Lizz @ Leading the Good Life
    September 24, 2010 at 9:06 am

    These look great! My nephew is a very picky eater, but cinnamon toast is one of his favorites. I bet he’d like these muffins! And then we can work on sneaking in some carrots or zucchini… πŸ˜‰

  • Sarah @ See Sarah Eat
    September 24, 2010 at 9:59 am

    I printed that recipe out because Cinnamon Toast Crunch is one of my husband’s favorites cereals, so I think he would love these! I might even veganize it for myself too πŸ™‚

  • Allison K
    September 24, 2010 at 10:06 am

    Yumm! My mom used to make us cinnamon toast on Fridays as a special treat. Not all Friday’s…so you never knew when you were going to get it.
    I need to make these this weekend!

  • Natalia - a side of simple
    September 24, 2010 at 10:14 am

    I might just have to suffer through gluten allergies to taste a bit of this perfection… =)

  • Chelsea
    September 24, 2010 at 10:37 am

    Oh man – just took these out of the oven and have already had TWO of them! What a fantastic, simple recipe. Thanks for posting such a delicious fall treat πŸ™‚

  • Carlee
    September 24, 2010 at 4:30 pm

    I haven’t had cinnimon toast in years. Yum! I might have to go make me some right now.

  • kelsey@snackingsquirrel.com
    September 25, 2010 at 6:40 am

    I LOVE ME MY MUFFINS!!! ooo cinnamon toast, what a great flavor!! nice job lady!!

  • Kelly
    September 25, 2010 at 7:41 am

    I make cinnamon toast all the time! I think it is because when I was a kid my Dad didn’t approve of having sugar for breakfast so he would let me and my brother have cinnamon toast minus the sugar…so yeah…just butter and cinnamon. Not exaclty terrible but not as good as the real deal. So now, as an adult, I partake in that childhood favorite every Saturday morning. Sorry Dad…haha!

  • KL
    September 26, 2010 at 9:48 am

    how much salt??

  • Caroline
    September 30, 2010 at 3:00 am

    I made these over the weekend (they’re gone now, sad) and had some of the topping leftover. It is AMAZING on hot oatmeal. Seriously considering making the topping alone for next weeks oats. πŸ˜€

  • Sarah
    October 14, 2010 at 4:58 pm

    How much salt is needed for this recipe? Thanks!

    • jenna
      October 14, 2010 at 5:03 pm

      half a teaspoon–sorry about that!

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  • Dynamics
    January 9, 2011 at 8:33 pm

    These were DELICIOUS… I was so excited when they came out of the oven, I forgot to put the topping on. I will make these again and hopefully remember to put the topping on. Thanks Jenna.

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