How to Make Moist Coffee Cake Muffins in Simple Steps

Ever had a moment when a simple muffin transforms your entire morning? That’s what these Coffee Cake Muffins do. They’re not just muffins; they’re a cozy hug in a muffin tin, soft, spiced, and topped with a crumbly, buttery streusel that’s practically begging for a cup of coffee.

I know how easy it is to skip breakfast when mornings get busy, but trust me, these muffins are worth the few minutes it takes to make them. 

They’re the perfect balance of sweet and spiced, with just enough cinnamon to make your kitchen smell like a bakery. 

No complicated steps, just a handful of ingredients that come together to create something genuinely special.

So, whether you’re baking them for a quiet morning with a book or to share with friends, these muffins are here to turn your regular mornings into something extraordinary. 

Why You’ll Love These Coffee Cake Muffins

If you’re on the fence about making these, let me just say, you NEED these coffee cake muffins in your life.

• Bakery-Level Goodness, Zero Effort – These muffins taste like they came straight from a fancy café, but they’re ridiculously easy to make in your own kitchen. No mixers, no stress, just pure deliciousness.
• Not Too Sweet, Just Right – Some muffins feel more like cupcakes in disguise. These? Perfectly balanced, just enough sweetness to satisfy, but light enough to enjoy any time of day.
• Stay Soft & Moist for Days – Thanks to Greek yogurt and a touch of maple syrup, these muffins don’t dry out overnight. So yes, your future self will thank you when you wake up to one of these the next morning.
• Minimal Ingredients, Maximum Flavor – You probably have everything you need already in your pantry. No weird, hard-to-find ingredients, just simple things that come together in the most magical way.

To find all the details and measurements, simply scroll down to my recipe card!

How to Make Coffee Cake Muffins

Let’s do this!

Preheat, Prep, and Set the Mood

Before you begin, set your oven to 400°F (200°C) and let it preheat. This high heat is the secret to getting muffins that rise beautifully.

Now, grab a 12-cup muffin pan. You can either line it with muffin liners (best for easy cleanup) or grease each cup with nonstick spray. If you’re feeling fancy, go for parchment liners, they peel off like a dream!

Whip Up a Quick Buttermilk Hack

Instead of traditional buttermilk, we’re making our own magic blend! In a small bowl or liquid measuring cup, mix milk and Greek yogurt. 

Let this sit for about 5 minutes while you prep the rest. Why? Because this little trick makes the muffins extra tender and gives them that signature soft bite.

The Ultimate Streusel Topping

Let’s be real, the best part of coffee cake muffins is that golden, crumbly, cinnamon-packed streusel. So, let’s make it perfect.

In a medium bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. 

Now, take cold butter, cut it into small cubes, and work it into the dry ingredients with your fingers. You’re aiming for a mix of sandy bits and pea-sized crumbles, this is what gives the topping its signature texture.

Pro tip: Pop the streusel into the fridge while you make the batter. Chilled butter = crispier, crunchier streusel.

Mix Up the Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt, whisking until well blended. This is where all those warm, cozy flavors start coming together.

Blend the Wet Ingredients for Maximum Flavor

Now, to your buttermilk mixture, add eggs, oil, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and lemon zest. Give it a good whisk until smooth.

That little hint of lemon zest? It’s a game-changer! It doesn’t make the muffins taste lemony, it just brightens everything up, making all the flavors shine.

Gently Bring It All Together

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Now, here’s where a little baking wisdom comes in: stir gently with a spatula, folding everything together until just combined.

Lumps are totally fine, in fact, they’re a good sign! Overmixing is the enemy of soft muffins, so stop as soon as you don’t see streaks of flour.

Fill, Top, and Get Ready for the Magic

Spoon the batter into the muffin cups, filling each about ¾ of the way full. This leaves room for that beautiful dome to rise.

Now, grab that chilled streusel from the fridge and generously sprinkle it on top. And I mean generously, don’t hold back! That crunchy, buttery topping is what makes these muffins so irresistible.

Bake Until Golden and Perfect

Slide your muffins into the oven and bake for about 15-17 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the tops are golden brown, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Once baked, let them rest in the muffin pan for about 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack. This step is key, leaving them in the pan too long can make the bottoms a little too soft.

Drizzle That Sweet Glaze

While the muffins cool, whip up a quick glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk until smooth.

Once the muffins are completely cool, drizzle that glaze over the top. You can go light and delicate or thick and drippy, it’s your masterpiece!

And just like that, your kitchen smells like a cozy bakery, and you’ve got a batch of Coffee Cake Muffins ready to devour.

3 Mistakes to Avoid When Making Coffee Cake Muffins

Overmixing the Batter

It’s tempting to keep stirring until the batter is silky smooth, but that’s actually a recipe for dense, tough muffins. Muffin batter should be lumpy!

Pro Tip: Mix just until you no longer see dry flour. A few lumps are totally fine, they’ll disappear as the muffins bake, giving you that perfect soft texture.

Filling the Muffin Cups Too High

We all love a big, bakery-style muffin top, but overfilling the cups can lead to a spillover mess instead of a beautiful rise.

Baking at the Wrong Temperature

If your muffins turn out too dense or dry, check your oven temperature! Many ovens run hotter or cooler than the setting on the dial, which can throw off your bake.

Pro Tip: Use an oven thermometer to make sure your oven is actually at 400°F. If your muffins are browning too fast, lower the temp slightly and bake a few minutes longer.

How to Store Coffee Cake Muffins

Keep your muffins fresh and delicious with these easy storage tips!

• At Room Temperature (Best for Freshness!) – Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. To keep the streusel crispy, place a paper towel underneath and on top to absorb excess moisture.
• In the Fridge (For Longer Freshness!) – If you need a few extra days, refrigerate them in an airtight container for up to 1 week. Just warm them up before eating to bring back that soft texture!
• In the Freezer (For Make-Ahead Magic!) – Freeze muffins in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. 
• Reviving That Freshly Baked Taste! – Warm a muffin in the oven at 300°F for 5 minutes or microwave for 10–15 seconds to make it soft and delicious again.

More Muffins You’ll Love

• Cranberry Orange Muffins 
• Lemon poppyseed Muffins
• Carrot Cake Muffins
• Chocolate Zucchini Muffins

I’d love to hear what you think! Drop a comment below and let me know how your muffins turned out. Happy baking!