Sourdough Coffee Cake Muffins

Name: Sourdough Coffee Cake Muffins
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ½ cup butter (1 stick, softened); 1½ cups white sugar; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 2 pieces eggs; 1 cup milk; ¾ cup sourdough discard or active starter; 4 teaspoons baking powder; 3 cups all-purpose flour; 1½ cups brown sugar; 5 tablespoons flour; 4 teaspoons ground cinnamon; 6 tablespoons butter (melted); ⅔ cup powdered sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; ½-1 tablespoon milk

Posted on March 25, 2026

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These Sourdough Coffee Cake Muffins come together in about 30 minutes and bring the warmth of a cozy café right to your kitchen for a quick and easy breakfast or snack that your family will love!

Ingredients You’ll Need

To whip these muffins up, you only need a handful of simple ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry. Here’s the breakdown:

For the Muffins

½ cup butter (1 stick, softened): (Make sure butter is softened for easier mixing.)
1½ cups white sugar: (You can substitute with brown sugar for a touch more flavor and moisture.)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract: (Use pure vanilla extract for that delicious, rich flavor.)
2 pieces eggs: (Good for binding and adding moisture.)
1 cup milk: (Feel free to use non-dairy milk for a vegan version, almond or oat milk works well.)
¾ cup sourdough discard or active starter: (An active starter is preferred for the best results, give it a good feed before using!)
4 teaspoons baking powder: (Helps make these muffins light and fluffy.)
3 cups all-purpose flour: (This forms the base of your muffins, so no skimping here!)

For the Cinnamon Sugar Swirl and Topping

1½ cups brown sugar: (For that yummy, comforting sweetness.)
5 tablespoons flour: (This helps bind the crumble together.)
4 teaspoons ground cinnamon: (Essential for that classic coffee cake flavor.)
6 tablespoons butter (melted): (Mix it in with dry ingredients until crumbly for the topping.)

For the Vanilla Glaze

⅔ cup powdered sugar: (For that sweet, shiny finish on top!)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract: (Because who doesn’t love a hint of vanilla?)
½-1 tablespoon milk: (Add more milk for a thinner glaze, if you like!)

Let’s Get Cooking!

1. Preheat and Prepare Your Muffin Tin

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While that’s heating up, go ahead and grease a standard muffin tin or line it with paper liners, this step is crucial to ensure your muffins come out perfectly!

2. Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, combine ½ cup of softened butter and 1½ cups of sugar. Beat them together until it’s light and fluffy, think about 3-5 minutes. This step is essential for getting that airy texture. You’ll want to scrape down the sides from time to time to ensure everything is mixed evenly.

3. Add in the Eggs and Vanilla

Next, crack in the 2 eggs and pour in your 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract. Beat everything together until well-combined. The smell will start to get heavenly at this point, trust me, it only gets better!

4. Mix in the Sourdough and Milk

Now, gently fold in 1 cup of milk and ¾ cup of sourdough discard or active starter. Stir just until combined, don’t overmix! A few lumps are perfectly okay! You want it to stay tender later on.

5. Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together 4 teaspoons of baking powder, 3 cups of all-purpose flour, and a couple pinches of salt. This combination not only helps with rising, but also adds flavor! Gradually add this dry mix to the wet ingredients, folding gently until just combined.

6. Make the Cinnamon Sugar Swirl

Now, let’s create that irresistible swirl! In another bowl, combine the 1½ cups of brown sugar, 5 tablespoons of flour, and 4 teaspoons of cinnamon. Pour in 6 tablespoons of melted butter and mix until crumbly. It should look like damp sand but still hold its shape when pinched.

7. Layer and Bake

Fill each muffin cup about halfway with the batter, followed by a generous spoonful of that lovely cinnamon sugar mixture on top, don’t be stingy! Then, add a second layer of batter over the cinnamon mix, ensuring you seal it in. Finally, sprinkle a bit more of the cinnamon sugar topping over each muffin.

Bake in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted. You want them golden brown and with that comforting smell wafting through your kitchen!

8. Drizzle with Vanilla Glaze

While your muffins bake, you can prepare the vanilla glaze. Whisk together ⅔ cup of powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and ½ to 1 tablespoon of milk until smooth. Drizzle this over your warm muffins as soon as they come out of the oven for that touch of sweetness.

9. Cool and Enjoy!

Let the muffins cool in the tin for 5-10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This gives them time to set and makes them easier to handle when you can’t wait to dive in. The best part is seeing everyone’s faces when they take that first bite!

If you loved these Sourdough Coffee Cake Muffins, be sure to check out my Sourdough Apple Fritter Discard Loaf, my Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Bread, or my Sourdough Pretzel Bites! Each recipe is designed to bring joy and ease into your kitchen!

Serving and Storage Tips

How to Serve These Muffins

Serve your Sourdough Coffee Cake Muffins warm with a spread of butter or your favorite fruit preserves! They make for a fantastic brunch item, paired wonderfully with a cup of hot coffee or tea.

Storage

These muffins can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want them to last longer, consider refrigerating them where they’ll keep well for about a week.

Reheating Instructions

When you’re ready to enjoy them again, just pop them in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds or reheat in a toaster oven until warmed through. You want them to be cozy and crumbly, just like fresh out of the oven!

Freezer Friendly

Yes! These muffins freeze beautifully. Just place them in a freezer-safe bag or container, where they’ll keep well for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply thaw at room temperature, then warm them up as previously mentioned.

Why This Recipe Works

Quick & Easy

Comes together in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy mornings when you want something special without the fuss!

Budget-Friendly

Uses affordable, everyday ingredients most people already have in their pantry. You’ll be amazed at how simple it is!

Customizable

One of the reasons I love this recipe is that it’s so adaptable. Add whatever you’ve got on hand, different spices, nuts, fruits, or even chocolate chips if you’re feeling indulgent!

Comfort Food

These muffins are loaded with tons of flavor from the sourdough combined with warm spices. They’re the perfect cozy snack for cold evenings or a fun breakfast to start your day.

That’s it, friends! Get ready to bake, enjoy, and share these scrumptious Sourdough Coffee Cake Muffins with your loved ones! I can’t wait to hear how they turn out for you!

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