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Brown Butter Cinnamon Roll Cream Cheese Muffins Recipe

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These Brown Butter Cinnamon Roll Cream Cheese Muffins offer a delightful twist on classic cinnamon rolls. Soft, fluffy, and tender, each muffin features a rich brown butter base infused with a warm cinnamon swirl, a tangy cream cheese center, and a buttery coffee crumb topping that adds a delicious crunch. Perfect for breakfast or brunch, these bakery-style muffins pair wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee for a cozy, indulgent treat.

Ingredients

Brown Butter Muffins:

  • 3 cups (360g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp (12g) baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp (1g) baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp (3g) salt
  • 1/2 tsp (2g) cinnamon
  • 5 tbsp (75g) salted butter
  • 1/3 cup (80ml) avocado oil (or oil of choice)
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk, at room temperature (substitution: 1 cup milk mixed with 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar or lemon juice)
  • 1/3 cup (80g) Greek yogurt or sour cream, at room temperature
  • 1 tsp (4g) vanilla bean paste or extract

Cinnamon Swirl:

  • 1 cup (220g) brown sugar, light or dark
  • 1 tbsp (6g) cinnamon
  • 3 tbsp (45g) salted butter, melted

Coffee Crumb Topping (Optional):

  • 3/4 cup (90g) all-purpose flour
  • 6 tbsp (80g) brown sugar, light or dark
  • 2 tsp (4g) cinnamon
  • 1 tsp (2g) instant espresso powder
  • 1/4 cup (58g) salted butter, melted

Cream Cheese Filling:

  • 8oz (1 block; 250g) cream cheese, at room temperature
  • 1/4 cup (55g) granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp (4g) vanilla bean paste or extract
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Prepare the brown butter: In a small saucepan, melt 5 tablespoons of salted butter over medium heat. Continue cooking, swirling the pan occasionally until the butter turns golden brown and releases a nutty aroma. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
  2. Make the cinnamon swirl: Combine 1 cup brown sugar, 1 tablespoon cinnamon, and 3 tablespoons melted salted butter in a small bowl. Mix until fully incorporated and set aside.
  3. Prepare the coffee crumb topping: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and instant espresso powder. Pour in the melted butter and stir until crumbly. Refrigerate until ready to use.
  4. Make the cream cheese filling: In a bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, vanilla bean paste, and a pinch of salt together until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
  5. Mix the muffin batter: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. In another bowl, combine the browned butter, avocado oil, granulated sugar, eggs, buttermilk, Greek yogurt/sour cream, and vanilla bean paste. Slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and fold gently until just combined; do not over-mix.
  6. Assemble the muffins: Spoon a small amount of muffin batter into each muffin cup to cover the bottom. Add a layer of cinnamon swirl mixture, then add a dollop of cream cheese filling. Top with more muffin batter to nearly fill the cups. Using a skewer or toothpick, swirl the batter gently to marble the cinnamon and cream cheese layers.
  7. Top with crumb: Sprinkle the prepared coffee crumb topping evenly over each muffin for a crunchy finish.
  8. Bake the muffins: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake muffins for 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the tops are golden brown.
  9. Cool and serve: Allow the muffins to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Serve warm with coffee or your favorite hot beverage.

Notes

  • The buttermilk can be substituted by mixing 1 cup milk with 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or lemon juice and letting it sit for 5 minutes.
  • Using room temperature eggs and dairy ensures better mixing and texture.
  • The coffee crumb topping is optional but adds a wonderful crunch and subtle coffee flavor that complements the cinnamon.
  • Store muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 1 month.
  • For a dairy-free version, substitute cream cheese and butter with plant-based alternatives.

Find it online: https://miracooking.com/brown-butter-cinnamon-roll-cream-cheese-muffins-recipe/