Recipe - Cinnamon Roll Cupcakes

Last week was my sister's birthday and I really wanted to bake her something. Because we had literally baked hundreds of cake balls over Christmas I knew a cake was out of the question. I started looking through all of my saved dessert recipes and came across Cinnamon Roll Cupcakes.

To call these cupcakes is a bit of a stretch. To me, they tasted more like bite size cinnamon coffee cakes with glaze frosting. However, they are undeniably delicious. Along with my Chai Spice Cupcakes, I think these are definitely a favorite and everyone who tried them agreed!

Cinnamon Roll Cupcakes

You will need:

Cupcakes:

• 1 3/4 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 1 1/2 sticks of softened, unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup of sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
• 3/4 cups of whole milk
• 2 tablespoons of ground cinnamon
• 3/4 cup of packed, light brown sugar

Glaze:

• 2/3 cup powdered sugar
• 3 teaspoons warm water
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  

First, get all your ingredients out and make sure your eggs are at room temperature and that your butter is softened. Then line your muffin tin with 12 cupcake liners and preheat your oven to 375 degrees.

Then, using a fork, mix your cinnamon and brown sugar together in a small Tupperware.

Next, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl and set aside. In a separate bowl combine your sugar and butter and beat with an electric mixer until fluffy. Add your egg and vanilla and mix until combined. Then, while mixing at a low speed, alternate the flour mixture and milk. Your dough will be very thick. Pour just enough mixture to cover the bottom of your cupcake liners, and then add a teaspoon of your cinnamon mixture on top.


Using a toothpick, swirl the cinnamon mixture through the batter. Then add more batter on top until 2/3 full. Bake for about 20 minutes or until the tops are golden brown.


While your cupcakes are cooling (about 20 minutes) you can start the glaze! In a small bowl (or in my case Tupperware) combine your powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and warm water. Continue stirring until your mixture is smooth like glaze. Add more water if necessary. Then add in 2 teaspoons of leftover cinnamon mixture and stir until combined.


Lastly, spoon some of the leftover cinnamon mixture onto the cupcakes, and then drizzle them with icing. Ta-da! A yummy and unique birthday present!

ENJOY!