Description
Soft, fluffy cupcakes swirled with cinnamon sugar and topped with luscious cream cheese frosting — like a cinnamon roll in cupcake form! These cinnamon roll cupcakes offer all the classic flavors of a cinnamon roll in an easy-to-make, portable cupcake perfect for breakfast or dessert.
Ingredients
Cupcakes:
- 1 ½ cups (190 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup (150 g) sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup (120 ml) milk
Cinnamon Swirl:
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Frosting:
- 4 oz (115 g) cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup (60 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cupcake tin with paper liners to prepare for baking.
- Mix Butter and Sugar: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy to create a smooth base for the cupcakes.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Incorporate the eggs one at a time and add the vanilla extract, mixing well after each addition to ensure everything is fully combined.
- Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Alternately add the flour mixture (flour, baking powder, salt) and milk to the batter, beginning and ending with the flour mixture, stirring gently until just combined to avoid overmixing.
- Assemble Cupcakes: Fill each cupcake liner about halfway with batter, then sprinkle a layer of the cinnamon sugar mixture on top. Add more batter over the cinnamon sugar to fill the liners nearly to the top, then gently swirl using a knife or toothpick to create a cinnamon swirl effect.
- Bake: Place the cupcake tin in the oven and bake for 18–20 minutes, or until the cupcakes are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Remove the cupcakes from the oven and allow them to cool completely in the tin before frosting, ensuring the frosting won’t melt.
- Prepare Frosting: Beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, beating until the frosting is fluffy and spreadable.
- Frost Cupcakes: Spread or pipe the cream cheese frosting over the cooled cupcakes evenly for a beautiful finish.
Notes
- Add chopped pecans to the cinnamon swirl layer for a crunchy texture contrast.
- These cupcakes are best enjoyed the day they’re made to experience their optimal softness and freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
