Cinnamon Nut Streusel Muffins

Featured in: Sunrise Spoonfuls

Soft, tender muffins feature a warm cinnamon base and are crowned with a crunchy nut streusel. Simple steps blend eggs, milk, butter, and aromatic spices for a smooth batter, topped with a sweet, buttery crumb infused with walnuts or pecans. These golden, bakery-style treats offer delightful texture contrasts, making them perfect for mornings or snacking. Enjoy fresh from the oven, served warm with butter or honey. Easily customize with dried fruit or seeds to match your preference.

Updated on Mon, 27 Oct 2025 12:25:00 GMT
Fluffy cinnamon nut streusel muffins with a crunchy, golden topping, ideal for breakfast. Save It
Fluffy cinnamon nut streusel muffins with a crunchy, golden topping, ideal for breakfast. | sunnyspoonful.com

Tender, fluffy muffins topped with a crunchy cinnamon-nut streusel, perfect for breakfast or an afternoon treat.

I first baked these Cinnamon Nut Streusel Muffins for a weekend brunch. My family loved how the kitchen filled with the scent of cinnamon and freshly baked muffins.

Ingredients

  • All-purpose flour: Used in both muffin batter and streusel topping for structure and texture
  • Granulated sugar: Sweetens the muffin base
  • Baking powder: Helps the muffins rise and become fluffy
  • Baking soda: Adds extra lift
  • Salt: Balances the sweetness
  • Ground cinnamon: Flavor for both batter and streusel
  • Eggs: Adds richness and binds ingredients
  • Whole milk: Moistens and enriches the batter
  • Unsalted butter: Used melted for batter, cold for streusel
  • Vanilla extract: Adds aroma and warmth
  • Chopped walnuts or pecans: Provide crunch in the topping
  • Brown sugar, packed: Adds depth and sweetness to streusel

Instructions

Preheat Oven:
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a muffin tin with paper liners or grease well.
Prepare Streusel:
In a small bowl, combine chopped nuts, brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Cut in cold butter until it resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside.
Mix Dry Ingredients:
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
Mix Wet Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract.
Combine Mixtures:
Pour wet into dry ingredients, stir gently just until combined. Batter should be slightly lumpy; do not overmix.
Fill Muffin Cups:
Divide batter among muffin cups, filling each about 2/3 full.
Add Streusel:
Sprinkle streusel topping over each muffin.
Bake:
Bake for 16–18 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool:
Cool muffins in pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
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My kids always ask for these muffins before heading off to school, and making them together has become a special weekend tradition in our family.

Required Tools

You'll need a muffin tin, mixing bowls, whisk, fork or pastry cutter, measuring cups and spoons, and a wire rack for cooling.

Allergen Information

Contains wheat (gluten), eggs, milk (dairy), and tree nuts (walnuts or pecans). Omit nuts or use seeds for allergies, and always check labels for cross-contamination.

Nutritional Information

Each muffin provides about 255 calories, 12 g of total fat, 33 g carbohydrates, and 4 g protein.

Warm cinnamon nut streusel muffins fresh from the oven, perfect with morning coffee. Save It
Warm cinnamon nut streusel muffins fresh from the oven, perfect with morning coffee. | sunnyspoonful.com

Wrap cooled muffins individually for a grab-and-go breakfast or share them at your next brunch gathering!

Recipe FAQs

How do I achieve a fluffy muffin texture?

Avoid overmixing the batter; gently combine wet and dry ingredients until just incorporated.

Can I make these nut-free?

Yes, substitute nuts with sunflower or pumpkin seeds for a delicious, nut-free streusel topping.

What’s the best way to store muffins?

Let muffins cool fully, then store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days.

Can I add dried fruit for extra flavor?

Absolutely, gently fold in 1/2 cup of raisins or dried cranberries to the batter before baking.

How do I know when muffins are done?

Insert a toothpick in the center; muffins are ready when it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.

What can I serve alongside these muffins?

Enjoy them warm with butter, honey, or as part of a breakfast spread with fruit and coffee.

Cinnamon Nut Streusel Muffins

Tender muffins with crunchy cinnamon-nut streusel, ideal for breakfast or a cozy snack.

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
18 mins
Total Duration
38 mins
Authored by Lana Bright

Recipe Type Sunrise Spoonfuls

Skill Level Easy

Cuisine Style American

Recipe Yield 12 Serving Size

Diet Preferences Vegetarian-Friendly

What You'll Need

Muffin Batter

01 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 2/3 cup granulated sugar
03 2 teaspoons baking powder
04 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
05 1/2 teaspoon salt
06 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
07 2 large eggs
08 3/4 cup whole milk
09 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
10 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Streusel Topping

01 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
02 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
03 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
04 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
05 1/4 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed

Directions

Step 01

Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease thoroughly.

Step 02

Streusel Mixing: Combine chopped nuts, brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon in a small bowl. Cut in cold butter using a fork or pastry cutter until mixture forms coarse crumbs. Set aside.

Step 03

Dry Ingredient Blending: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.

Step 04

Wet Ingredient Preparation: In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth.

Step 05

Batter Mixing: Pour wet ingredients into dry mixture and stir gently just until combined. Avoid overmixing; batter should remain slightly lumpy.

Step 06

Batter Portioning: Divide batter evenly into prepared muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full.

Step 07

Streusel Application: Sprinkle streusel topping generously over each portioned batter.

Step 08

Baking: Bake muffins for 16 to 18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Step 09

Cooling: Let muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tools You'll Need

  • Muffin tin
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Fork or pastry cutter
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Wire rack

Allergy Information

Review each ingredient to identify potential allergens, and consult a healthcare professional if you're unsure.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), eggs, milk (dairy), and tree nuts. For individuals with nut allergies, omit nuts or use seeds and check all ingredient labels for cross-contamination.

Nutrition Details (Per Serving)

This nutritional data is for reference only and isn't a substitute for medical advice.
  • Caloric Value: 255
  • Fats: 12 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 33 grams
  • Proteins: 4 grams