Sourdough Cinnamon Muffins

Name: Sourdough Cinnamon Muffins
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1/4 teaspoon baking soda; 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 4 tablespoons butter (melted); 1/2 cup brown sugar; 1/2 cup white granulated sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/4 cup milk; 1 cup sourdough starter; 1 egg; 6 tablespoons butter (softened); 1/2 cup brown sugar; 1/2 cup white granulated sugar; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon salt

These Sourdough Cinnamon Muffins are a great way to start off your day. Soft and fluffy and topped with a sweet streusel topping, you can't go wrong.

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Sourdough cinnamon muffins are a delicious treat that uses an active sourdough starter that is studded with a cinnamon and sugar flavor in each bite. Sourdough bakers will love this sourdough muffin recipe.

If you enjoy making delicious muffins to have on hand for your family or friends, this is a fantastic recipe you can make all year round. It’s easy and you will fall in love with it.

You might want to check out my sourdough discard cinnamon rolls for another popular sourdough recipe. Or try out these banana sourdough muffins, if you are on the hunt for another muffin recipe.

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Ingredients
Instructions
Variations
Equipment
Storage
Wendy’s Test Kitchen Tips
FAQs
Related
Pairing
Sourdough Cinnamon Muffins

Ingredients

This is a quick overview of the ingredients that you will need to make this recipe. You can find the full list in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

all-purpose flour
baking powder
baking soda
ground cinnamon
salt
butter
brown sugar
granulated sugar
vanilla extract
milk
sourdough starter
egg

Instructions

This is a quick overview of the instructions to make this recipe. You can find the full steps in the recipe card.

flour, cinnamon, salt, baking soda, and baking powder being mixed in a mixing bowl.

In a bowl, combine part of the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Whisk to combine.

butter, sugar, and brown sugar being mixed in a glass mixing bowl.

Melt the butter in a separate bowl. Then, mix in the brown sugar, granulated sugar, vanilla, milk, and eggs. Mix well in a large bowl.

sourdough started being added to muffin batter.

Work in the dry ingredients you previously placed in the smaller bowl. Add the sourdough starter and set it to the side for 15 minutes.

butter, cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl.

Then, you will add the remaining dry ingredients by hand to form the streusel topping.

raw muffins in a cupcake pan ready for the oven.

Scoop the muffin batter into a paper-lined muffin pan. Top with the streusel topping.

baked sourdough cinnamon muffins in a cupcake pan.

Bake as directed, then allow the muffins to cool before serving them up.

Hint: Make sure that the sourdough starter is fully mixed into the batter. You want to see no streaks in the mixture. Then, allow time for the dough to sit as directed, as that is very important for the active starter.

Variations

Here are a few simple ways to change up this cinnamon muffin batter to create the perfect treat for yourself and your family.

Sourdough apple cinnamon muffins: Reach for two crisp apples to peel, dice up, and mix in with the batter. This will give you a delicious apple cinnamon sourdough muffin recipe that is sure to be a family favorite.
Chocolate Chips – Stir in 1/3 to 1/2 cups of chocolate chips to stud the muffins with sweet chocolate morsels. You will mix the chocolate chips you work in the sourdough starter in the dough.
Nutty Twist to Muffins—Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the muffin batter to create a nice crunch. You could also add nuts to the streusel topping if you prefer.

See this apple blueberry muffin recipe for a tasty sweet muffin that is studded with fruit in each bite.

Equipment

You don’t really need a lot to make this muffin recipe. You can use a spatula or whisk and mix the dough by hand, or opt for a stand mixer or electric mixer. Melt the butter in a small bowl, then pour the melted butter into the bowl of a stand mixer to start mixing up the dough.

Also, you will want to have a muffin tin and muffin papers to help them not stick in the pan. You can make large muffins, just use a larger muffin tin, and adjust the baking time.

Storage

These muffins can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container or sealed bag. Make sure that your muffins are fully cooled before you store them. The cinnamon sugar muffins will last for around 4-5 days.

To extend the life you can freeze the muffins. Place in a freezer-friendly container or freezer-safe bag and freeze for 2-3 months. Then, place the frozen muffin cups on the counter to thaw and enjoy. This is a great way to stock your freezer, so the next time you need a quick breakfast or snack you can grab a few muffins out of the freezer.

Wendy’s Test Kitchen Tips

Ensure you have an active sourdough starter so your muffins turn out.
Do not overmix the batter; it can create dense and tough muffins.
The muffins are done when you stick a toothpick in the muffin, and it comes out clean of wet batter.
It is essential to preheat the oven for 10 minutes before you place your muffin batter in to bake.
Slowly work the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, mixing to combine. Don’t overmix.

FAQs

Can I use discard starter in sourdough muffins?

If you have extra sourdough discard on hand, you can use it for the muffins. It just won’t have as much of a leavening agent as an active starter would, but it will work if you need it.

Can I make sourdough muffins without any additional leavening agents?

Using baking soda or baking powder in addition to the sourdough starter is recommended as it will help ensure you get a nice rise on the muffins.

Can I double this muffin recipe?

Of course! Reach for a double of all the ingredients and then whip them up and bake the same. If you need you can batch cook the muffins.

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Pairing

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