Ingredients:
For the Muffin Batter:
1/2 cup of unsalted butter, brought to room temperature
2/3 cup of granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 and 1/2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup of fresh milk
1/4 cup of creamy sour cream
1 and 2/3 cups of all-purpose flour
1 and 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder
1/4 teaspoon of baking soda
1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon of fine sea salt
For the Sweet Cinnamon Topping:
3 tablespoons of unsalted butter, melted
1/3 cup of granulated sugar
2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon
Instructions:
Muffin Preparation:
Begin by setting your oven to preheat at 375 degrees Fahrenheit. While waiting for it to reach the desired temperature, generously apply non-stick cooking spray to a standard muffin pan.
Grab a large mixing bowl and into it add your softened butter and granulated sugar. Using an electric mixer or whisk, cream them together until the texture becomes smooth and the ingredients are well combined. This process should take around 2 minutes.
Next, incorporate the egg, vanilla extract, milk, and sour cream into the butter-sugar mixture. Stir these together until the result is a uniform, creamy blend.
To the same bowl, introduce your all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and salt. Now, use a rubber spatula or wooden spoon to gently fold these dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Remember not to overmix; a few flour streaks are fine.
Proceed by evenly distributing the batter into the greased muffin pan, filling each cavity about 2/3 full.
Place the muffin pan in your preheated oven and allow the muffins to bake for approximately 25 minutes. The muffins are done when a toothpick inserted into their center comes out clean.
Remove the muffins from the oven and let them cool in the pan for a couple of minutes. Afterwards, transfer them onto a wire rack to continue cooling.
Creating the Cinnamon-Sugar Topping:
Melt the topping butter in a small microwave-safe bowl or saucepan.
In a separate dish, stir together the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon.
Once the muffins have cooled slightly, apply a thin layer of melted butter on each muffin using a pastry brush.
Finally, sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture generously over each butter-brushed muffin.
Serve these delightful muffins warm, and enjoy the perfect blend of sweet and spicy flavors in every bite!
Additional Tips:
The moment you mix your wet and dry ingredients, the baking powder starts to act, so it’s crucial to have your oven preheated and your muffin pan ready. If you happen to have leftovers, you can freeze them in a zip-lock bag for up to a month. To enjoy, simply thaw at room temperature or warm them up in the microwave for a few seconds.