Espresso Cake Muffins – Sugar Spun Run

Espresso cake muffins will impress any houseguest! My perfected model has wealthy and moist vanilla-flavored crumb and a hefty crown of spiced, buttery streusel. Nice with a cup of espresso! Recipe features a how-to video!

Espresso Cake in Muffin Kind

Espresso cake muffins have every little thing there’s to like about espresso cake (do you see that hefty pile of crumbly, spiced streusel?), however they bake up in half the time. Primarily the hand-held model of my bitter cream espresso cake, these are completely excellent for serving to houseguests or as a day pick-me-up (with or with out a cup of espresso).

Why This Recipe WORKS

• Adjusted to perfection: I’ve tweaked and adjusted this recipe a number of instances over time, and this most up-to-date iteration is my absolute favourite! I’ve added extra brown sugar and cinnamon for depth of taste AND extra fats to assist the muffins preserve their moisture longer. I additionally diminished the streusel quantity only a bit after some complaints of an excessive amount of streusel (as if there’s such a factor!).
• The simplest streusel (and loads of it!). Whereas many streusel recipes begin with chilly butter, mine begins with melted butter. It’s a lot simpler and there’s no pastry cutter wanted.
• Two methods for fluffy texture and tall rise: relaxation the batter earlier than baking and use two oven temperatures. I do that with fairly a couple of of my muffin recipes now, and the outcomes converse for themselves. In order for you bakery-style muffins, that is the recipe for you!

Elements

Earlier than we get began with the recipe, I wish to spotlight a couple of of the important thing substances that actually make these espresso cake muffins shine ✨

• Cornstarch. A small quantity of cornstarch replaces a part of the flour to assist decrease the general protein content material. Thhis helps make the muffins (and different baked items) comfortable and tender. This can be a method I exploit in lots of my recipes, from muffins to my finest chocolate chip cookie recipe.
• Oil & butter. I’ve just lately adjusted this recipe and elevated the quantities of each fat to up the moisture stage within the muffins. This helps them keep tender and moist longer (but it surely received’t make them greasy or heavy!). A stability of each oil and butter (quite than only one or the opposite) offers us the right stability of moisture within the crumb (from the oil) and wealthy taste (from the butter).
• Bitter cream. Identical to in my blueberry muffin recipe, I now favor to make use of bitter cream quite than buttermilk; it provides an moisture and depth of depth of taste (with out making the muffins style like bitter cream). Plain, full-fat Greek yogurt would additionally work, however bitter cream has the sting by way of taste.
• Vanilla. We’re utilizing loads of vanilla right here for traditional cinnamon espresso cake taste. If you happen to’d prefer to make your glaze a vanilla glaze, you possibly can add ⅛ teaspoon of vanilla extract. Simply watch out to not add an excessive amount of, or you could possibly make it too candy.
• Cinnamon. I’ve just lately elevated the quantity of cinnamon on this recipe to make the muffins style even extra like espresso cake.

Bear in mind, that is simply an summary of the substances I used and why. For the complete recipe please scroll right down to the underside of the submit!

SAM’S TIP: Room temperature substances will make the smoothest batter, so attempt to convey your eggs and bitter cream out of the fridge forward of time should you can.

Methods to Make Espresso Cake Muffins

1. Step 1: Prep & relaxation the batter. Stir collectively the dry substances and sugars in a big bowl, then whisk collectively the moist substances in a big measuring cup or separate bowl. Pour the moist substances into the dry, then gently fold every little thing collectively till mixed. The batter shall be thick! Cowl and let the batter relaxation whilst you preheat your oven and prep the streusel.

2. Step 2: Make the streusel. Soften the butter, then set it apart to chill a bit whilst you whisk collectively your remaining substances. As soon as it’s now not sizzling, use a fork to toss the butter into the flour combination till it resembles coarse crumbs (like within the photograph above). Don’t overwork it otherwise you’ll find yourself with a paste quite than a crumble.

3. Step 3: Portion the batter. When your batter has rested and your oven is preheated, you’re able to go! Notice, the batter shall be VERY thick at this level; I exploit an ice cream scoop for clear and even scooping, however two spoons will work too.

4. Step 4: Add the streusel. Seize a handful of streusel and sprinkle/press it over every muffin. It is going to seem to be so much; attempt to be sure to pile it on the precise muffins and never on the sides of your pan.

5. Step 5: Bake. Bake for 8 minutes, then scale back the oven temperature (don’t open the door!) and bake for one more 12-14 minutes or till the muffins go the toothpick check. Allow them to cool within the pan for a couple of minutes earlier than fastidiously eradicating to a cooling rack.

6. Step 6: Add the glaze (optionally available). Whisk collectively the glaze, then drizzle overtop; I like to recommend letting your muffins cool for a little bit bit earlier than doing this, in any other case it can soften off.

SAM’S TIP: Let the glaze solidify earlier than you dig in; it weirdly tastes too candy if loved whereas it’s nonetheless moist.

Incessantly Requested Questions

Extra Recipes for Streusel Lovers

If you love streusel-topped muffins, try my pumpkin muffins, apple muffins, or banana muffins next!

Enjoy!

Let’s bake together! Subscribe to my newsletter to be notified of all the newest recipes, and find my free recipe tutorials on YouTube 💜

This recipe was originally published in April of 2018. I’ve since (in 2026) updated it to improve the flavor and texture. If you’re looking for it, you can find the original recipe here.