Two breakfast favorites join forces in a family-friendly recipe for Mini Sour Cream Doughnut Muffins rolled in cinnamon-sugar.
Doughnuts have long been at the tip-top of my All-Time Favorite Foods list. But when time is short (and cravings are intense), it’s doughnut muffins to the rescue!
This quick-fix recipe stars a sour cream muffin batter that’s baked into poppable mini muffins that are rolled in cinnamon-sugar. Win, win anddddd win!
What Does Sour Cream Do In Baking?
Short answer: Everything! It’s no secret that I’m a sour cream super fan when it comes to baked goods. I add it to everything from scones and coffee cake to banana bread and pancakes.
Sour cream provides two major improvements to all baked goods:
- It is the ultimate source of moisture, which ensures a very tender crumb.
- It lends a touch of tanginess on the flavor front, often balancing out sweetness.
The Ratio of Cinnamon to Sugar
It’s a common question around these parts: What is the best ratio of cinnamon to sugar? While personal preference definitely plays a role in how you mix these two pantry staples, I prefer 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon per ½ cup of sugar. For quick reference, here’s how you’d scale that ratio down or up:
- ¾ teaspoon cinnamon & ¼ cup sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon & ½ cup sugar
- 1 Tablespoon cinnamon and 1 cup sugar
More Mini Muffin Pan Recipes
Looking for additional inspiration to put that mini muffin pan to good use? Don’t miss more of my mini favorites, including Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownie Bites, No-Bake Chocolate Cheesecake Cups and Easy Peanut Butter Cup Cookies.
Ingredients
- Cooking spray
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3 Tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temp
- 3 Tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 cup sugar, divided
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a nonstick mini muffin pan with cooking spray.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set the mixture aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together the butter, vegetable oil and ½ cup sugar until well combined, about 2 minutes. Add the egg and beat until combined.
- Add the flour mixture, sour cream and vanilla extract and beat just until combined.
- Using a small ice cream scoop (or two spoons), scoop out heaping 1-tablespoon portions of the batter into the prepared muffin pan.
- Bake the muffins for 16 to 22 minutes until pale golden. While the muffins bake, in a medium bowl, whisk together the remaining ½ cup sugar and cinnamon.
- Remove the muffins from the oven and let them cool for 2 minutes in the pan before transferring them in batches into the cinnamon-sugar mixture, tossing to coat. Repeat the coating process with the remaining muffins then serve.
Kelly’s Note:
- It’s important to toss the muffins in the cinnamon-sugar mixture while they are hot to ensure the cinnamon-sugar will stick.
- ★ Did you make this recipe? Don't forget to give it a star rating below!
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Thank you for this recipe! The muffins were so fluffy, but the sugar didn’t stick very well and left a strong taste of cinnamon. Other than that, it was perfect!!
Thanks, Maggie!
I attempted these for a brunch for tomorrrow. This recipe was such a fail for me. I used all brand new ingredients. Sprayed my mini muffin pan with non stick spray and filled accordingly. They were flat topped and every single one stuck so that I ended up with a muffin top with half the muffin still in the pan. How did you get yours to have the tiny little top and not stick to your pan? I need to start all over again.
Hi Marcella – I’m not sure why they would stick if you sprayed the pan! Did you use an oil-based spray?
What if you don’t have a mixer? Can you just mix it yourself by hand?
Absolutely, Kellie! A hand mixer or just good ol’ mixing by hand works :)
What can I use in place of vegetable oil? Butter? Olive oil? I don’t like to use vegetable oil. Thanks!
Olive oil works, Teresa!
Hi Kelly
Could I substitute the all purpose flour to almond flour to make your mini sour donuts recipe gluten free?
Hi Susan! I haven’t tried that so I can’t say with certainty what the results would be. Please let me know if you give it a shot!
Can the Mini sour cream donut muffins be frozen after baking and warmed up the morning needed?
That should work, Anne! Once the muffins have cooled completely, wrap each muffin in plastic wrap and place them in an airtight container or zip-top bag. They’ll keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Excellent, quick, and supremely easy. Everyone loved it!! I made them into regular muffins because I didn’t have a mini muffin pan.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe, Kitty!
Made them again today. Not even a whole week and the family is already asking for more.❤️
Love reading this, Kitty! I’m so happy your family is enjoying the recipe!
These were delicious. Be careful because you will find yourself eating half the batch in one sitting. They are addicting!
I’m so, so thrilled you enjoyed the recipe, Jenny!
My kids and I loved this recipe! It’s going in my recipe binder of favorite recipes!
I’m thrilled you and your kids enjoyed the recipe, Missy!