Brown Butter Cinnamon Roll Cream Cheese Muffins
These Brown Butter Cinnamon Roll Cream Cheese Muffins are soft, fluffy, and incredibly tender, with a rich brown butter base and a cozy cinnamon roll swirl baked into every bite. Each muffin is filled with a tangy, creamy cream cheese center and topped with a buttery coffee crumb topping that adds the perfect crunch. Served warm with a hot cup of coffee, these bakery-style muffins are the ultimate breakfast or brunch treat for cinnamon roll lovers.
If you try out this recipe, I’d love to see it! Leave a comment with a star rating below and tag @wellmadebykiley on Instagram and hashtag it #wellmadebykiley
Ingredients You Need:
Full ingredients and recipe are in the recipe card below. Read through this section for all the ingredients substitution and baking tips!
All-Purpose Flour: Forms the structure of the muffins and crumb topping, creating a soft yet sturdy bake.
Baking Powder: Helps the muffins rise tall and fluffy with a tender crumb.
Baking Soda: Works with acidic ingredients to give extra lift and softness.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the warm flavors throughout the muffins.
Cinnamon: Adds cozy, warming spice to the muffins, swirl, and crumb topping.
Salted Butter: Browned for nutty depth in the muffins and used in the swirl and crumb for rich flavor.
Avocado Oil: Keeps the muffins moist and tender while allowing the butter flavor to shine.
Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the batter and cream cheese filling while keeping the crumb soft.
Eggs: Bind the batter together and contribute to a rich, fluffy texture.
Buttermilk: Adds moisture and a subtle tang that keeps the muffins extra soft.
Greek Yogurt Or Sour Cream: Creates a moist, tender crumb and adds richness to the batter.
Vanilla Bean Paste Or Extract: Enhances the warm flavors and adds classic bakery-style aroma.
Brown Sugar: Sweetens the cinnamon swirl and crumb topping with deep, caramel-like flavor.
Instant Espresso Powder: Intensifies the coffee flavor in the crumb topping without bitterness.
Cream Cheese: Creates a tangy, creamy filling that balances the sweet cinnamon roll flavors.
Why You’ll Love Brown Butter Cinnamon Roll Cream Cheese Muffins:
Soft & Fluffy Texture: These muffins bake up incredibly soft and fluffy with a tender crumb that stays moist and bakery-perfect.
Brown Butter Flavor: Brown butter adds a rich, nutty depth that takes classic cinnamon roll muffins to the next level.
Cinnamon Roll Swirl: A warming cinnamon sugar swirl runs through every muffin, giving you that true cinnamon roll flavor in muffin form.
Cream Cheese Filling: Each muffin is filled with a tangy, creamy cream cheese center that perfectly balances the sweetness.
Coffee Crumb Topping: The buttery crumb topping adds a lightly crisp texture and makes these muffins feel extra special.
Perfect for Breakfast or Brunch: Cozy, comforting, and impressive enough for guests, yet easy enough for everyday baking.
Cinnamon Roll Flavor Without the Work: All the best parts of a cinnamon roll—no rolling, rising, or waiting required.
Pairs Perfectly With Coffee: These muffins were made to be enjoyed warm with a hot cup of coffee or latte.
Great for Make-Ahead Baking: They store well and reheat beautifully, making mornings extra easy.
Crowd-Pleasing & Cozy: Perfect for holidays, weekends, or anytime you want a comforting, bakery-style treat at home.
Tips for Making Brown Butter Cinnamon Roll Cream Cheese Muffins:
Brown The Butter Properly: Cook the butter until golden brown and nutty, then let it cool slightly before adding to the batter to prevent curdling.
Weigh Ingredients For Accuracy: Use a kitchen scale to measure flour and sweet potato purée for consistent, bakery-style results.
Don’t Over-Mix The Batter: Mix until just combined to keep the muffins soft and fluffy with a tender crumb.
Soften the Cream Cheese Well: A very soft cream cheese filling ensures a smooth, creamy center without lumps.
Use The Right Pan Size: This recipe makes 12 regular-sized muffins or 6 jumbo bakery-style muffins. Adjust bake time accordingly — regular muffins take about 18–22 minutes, while jumbo muffins need around 28–30 minutes.
Crumb Topping Texture Matters: The crumb should be clumpy, not sandy—press it together slightly before sprinkling for the best texture.
Check For Doneness: Muffins are done when a toothpick inserted into the outer edge (not the center cream cheese filling) comes out clean.
Cool Before Removing: Let muffins cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to set the filling and prevent tearing.
Serve Warm for Best Flavor: Warming them slightly before serving brings out the brown butter and cinnamon flavors beautifully.
How to Store Brown Butter Cinnamon Roll Cream Cheese Muffins:
Room Temperature: Store cooled muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day. Because of the cream cheese filling, room-temperature storage is best for short periods only.
Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4–5 days. Warm individual muffins in the microwave for 10–15 seconds before serving to soften the crumb.
Freezer: Freeze fully cooled muffins (without reheating) in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature, then warm gently before serving.
Reheating: Reheat in the microwave for 10–20 seconds or in a 300°F oven for a few minutes until just warmed through.
FAQs:
Q: Can I make these muffins ahead of time?
A: Yes. You can bake them up to 1 day in advance and store them in the refrigerator. Warm before serving for the best soft, fluffy texture.
Q: Do these muffins need to be refrigerated?
A: Yes. Because they’re filled with cream cheese, they should be stored in the refrigerator after cooling.
Q: Can I freeze these muffins?
A: Absolutely. Freeze fully cooled muffins in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight and warm before serving.
Q: How do I keep the muffins soft after baking?
A: Store them in an airtight container and reheat gently before serving. Avoid overbaking, which can dry them out.
Q: Can I skip the cream cheese filling?
A: Yes. The muffins will still be delicious as brown butter cinnamon roll muffins without the filling, though the texture and flavor will be less rich.
Q: Can I make these as jumbo muffins instead of standard size?
A: Yes. Bake as jumbo muffins and increase the baking time slightly, checking for doneness with a toothpick. See the recipe card below for baking time details!
Q: What’s the best way to reheat them?
A: Microwave individual muffins for 10–20 seconds or warm in a low oven until just heated through.
Q: Can I add nuts or chocolate chips?
A: Definitely. Chopped pecans, walnuts, or chocolate chips work beautifully in the batter or swirl.
Love these? Check out some of my other breakfast recipes:
Make sure to tag me @wellmadebykiley on Instagram and leave a review or comment if you try these brown butter cinnamon roll cream cheese muffins. Happy baking!
