These cinnamon doughnut muffins give you the best of both worlds – the taste of a doughnut but with the ease of a muffin. And without all the extra fat from frying! Fluffy on the inside with just the right amount of sugar and spices, these muffins are perfect for breakfast or even paired with vanilla ice cream for a dessert.
While any time is a great time for a donut or muffin, this recipe is particularly fitting during Mardi Gras. The last day of Mardi Gras (also known as Fat Tuesday, Shrove Tuesday and in Pennsylvania-Dutch communities,Fastnacht Day) is just days away on February 12. Historically, luxuries such as sugar, fat and butter were often restricted during fasts associated with Lent. Because of this, foods that used these ingredients, like pancakes and doughnuts, became traditional treats for the day before Ash Wednesday. Today, many people still celebrate this day before the Lenten season by engaging in elaborate parties and rich foods. This doughnut muffin offers a twist to the traditional doughnut associated with these celebrations. To make your muffins more festive, consider using colored sugar in the traditional Mardi Gras colors of purple, green and yellow as your topping.
Muffin ingredients:
- 1 cup white flour
- ¾ cup whole wheat flour (use all white flour if preferred)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 3/4 cup milk (skim is fine)
Coating ingredients:
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Combine flour, baking powder, salt, nutmeg and cinnamon in a medium bowl.
- Combine oil, sugar, egg and milk in a large bowl. In small increments, gradually add dry ingredients, stirring just until combined with a large wooden spoon.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or just until muffins are a light brown color and gently spring back when touched.
- While muffins are baking, melt butter in a small bowl. In another small bowl, combine sugar and cinnamon.
- Remove muffins from the oven. Allow muffins to cool just enough that they are comfortable to touch. Use a butter knife to loosen and shake muffins onto a wire cooling rack.
- Holding muffins by the bottom, dip them in the melted butter, lightly coating the top. Gently shake excess butter back into the bowl, and immediately dip the muffin in the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Place muffin back on wire rack and allow to cool before serving.
- Makes 12 muffins.
- (Recipe inspiration found here.)
If you’re in the Bucks County, PA area and looking for more traditional doughnuts for the holiday, several favorite local bakeries will offer potato doughnuts on Tuesday, February 12.
At Rilling’s Bucks County Bakery in Warminster, choose from cinnamon, powdered or granulated sugar potato doughnuts, plus their everyday assortment at $11.35 per dozen. Visit the Rilling’s Bakery Facebook page or website for more news and holiday specials. While they will have extra doughnuts on Tuesday, it’s best to call ahead to place your order.
868 East Street Road, Warminster, PA 18974
(215) 357-3860
Hours:
Tuesday – Friday: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Saturday: 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday - Monday: Closed
Town Crier Bakery in Peddler’s Village will also offer light and fluffy potato doughnuts with a variety of fillings. Pick up a dozen to share with your office or family for just $8 per dozen. Call or send a private message through the Town Crier Bakery Facebook page to place your order.
29 Peddlers Lane, Lahaska, PA 18949
(215) 794-9910
Hours:
Monday – Thursday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Friday – Saturday: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Sunday: 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
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