These Coffee Cake Muffins are another twist on a classic favorite, perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon treat. The muffins are sure to impress with a soft, cinnamon-spiced crumb and two filling optionsโfresh berries for a fruity burst or a rich coffee-flavored cream cheese center. Whether youโre a fan of fruity surprises or crave a creamy coffee kick, this recipe offers something for everyone. Plus, the crumb topping adds the perfect touch of sweetness and crunch!

I recently discovered that coffee cake doesnโt actually have coffee in itโit's just meant to be enjoyed with coffee! To me, no coffee flavor in a coffee cake muffin is like no chocolate in a brownieโit just feels incomplete. As a self-proclaimed coffee fanatic, I couldnโt let that slide. Like my Kohlrabi Carpaccio recipe and my Microgreen Pesto Recipe, which are both fun twists on the classics, I had to put my own spin on the idea of coffee cake by adding a creamy coffee-flavored filling. For those who prefer a coffee-free muffin to enjoy alongside their brew, the second option with fresh berries is equally delicious. Make one or both to surprise your guests!
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Why we love this recipe
- Variety for Everyone: With two filling options, itโs perfect for pleasing different taste buds.
- Perfect Texture: The muffins have a tender, fluffy crumb that contrasts beautifully with the crunchy streusel topping and the creamy or juicy surprise filling.
- Easy to Make: The recipe uses simple ingredients and straightforward steps.
- Coffee Loversโ Dream: The coffee-flavored filling satisfies anyone looking for a baked good with that extra coffee kick.
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour: Use unbleached all-purpose flour for a soft, tender crumb.
- Brown sugar: Choose packed brown sugar to provide moisture and a deep caramel flavor.
- Baking powder & Baking Soda: Make sure these are fresh to ensure proper leavening.
- Cinnamon: Like in this Cinnamon Crunch French Toast and these Maple Cinnamon Baked Apples, we use ground cinnamon, but you can also use freshly ground cinnamon if you prefer a more intense flavor.
- Buttermilk: Adds a slight tang and helps create a tender, moist texture.
- Butter: Use unsalted butter for control over the salt level.
- Eggs: Like in most baking recipes, including these Breakfast Popovers and this Pumpkin Spice Bundt Cake (with cranberry sauce), eggs should be at room temperature for better incorporation into the batter, for a smoother texture and fluffier muffins.
- Fresh berries: Fresh berries like raspberries, blueberries, or strawberries work best for the filling.
- Coffee-flavored cream filling: We'll be using instant coffee or espresso powder. The Cream cheese should be at room temperature for easy mixing and to ensure a smooth, lump-free filling.
*** see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full ingredient list and quantities
Random Cre8 at Home Tip
Coffee grounds make an excellent natural exfoliator for your skin. Mix them with a tablespoon of coconut oil for an eco-friendly scrub that smells amazing! The coffee grounds help gently remove dead skin cells, and the coconut oil moisturizes. You can use it on your hands, feet, body, and even your face! For facial use, make sure the coffee grounds are finely ground and gently massage in circular motions, avoiding the eye area.
Substitutions and variations
- All-purpose flour: You can swap up to 50% of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a slightly denser texture, though it may affect the texture of the muffins, making them a little heavier.
- Brown sugar: If you donโt have brown sugar, you can use granulated sugar instead. The flavor will be less rich, but it will still provide sweetness. If you prefer a lower glycemic index option, you can substitute brown sugar with coconut sugar.
- Buttermilk: Regular milk, coconut milk, or almond milk work well in place of buttermilk. If you're using coconut milk, you may need to opt for the lighter variety to avoid an overly rich texture.
- Add chocolate: Fold in some mini chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate. For a sweet and indulgent filling, try using Nutella or any chocolate spread.
- Cream cheese and lemon zest: A tangy cream cheese filling with a touch of lemon zest can complement the cinnamon and create a fresh flavor contrast.
- Fruit: Swap fresh berries for a spoonful of your favorite jam, like raspberry or strawberry. Or, try adding this Cranberry Mustard Sauce for a little tang.
*** see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full ingredient list and quantities
Preparation
STEP 1: Preheat Oven, Prepare Muffin Tin
Preheat your oven to 375ยฐF (190ยฐC). Line a muffin tin with paper liners or lightly grease each cup with cooking spray.
STEP 2: Combine the dry ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
STEP 3: Mix wet ingredients
In a separate medium bowl, mix the buttermilk, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.
STEP 4: Make Batter
Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Do not overmix; a few lumps are okay.
STEP 5: Prepare the Crumb Topping
In a small bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon. Add the melted butter and mix with a fork until crumbs form. Set aside.
STEP 6: Make the Fillings (One or Both)
Coffee Cream Filling: In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese, instant coffee, and vanilla. Berry Filling: Toss the fresh berries with 1 tablespoon of sugar (optionally).
STEP 7: Assemble the Muffins
Spoon about 1 tablespoon of batter into each muffin cup. Add about a teaspoon of your chosen filling in the center. Top with more muffin batter until each cup is about ยพ full, covering the filling.
STEP 8: Add the Crumb Topping, Bake
Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over each muffin and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the muffin comes out clean. Allow the muffins to cool before serving.
Top Tips
- Donโt Overmix the Batter: Stir the wet and dry ingredients until just combined. Overmixing can make the muffins dense instead of light and fluffy.
- Bring eggs, milk, and butter to room temperature before mixing. This ensures a smooth batter and helps the muffins rise evenly.
- If using the berry filling, choose fresh, firm berries to prevent extra moisture from making the muffins soggy. Pat them dry after rinsing.
- For the coffee cream filling, a good-quality instant coffee or espresso powder makes a big difference in flavor. Dissolve it in a tiny bit of warm water if you prefer a smoother texture.
- Be generous with the crumb toppingโitโs what gives these muffins their signature coffee cake vibe! Press it lightly onto the batter so it sticks during baking.
- Allow the muffins to cool completely, especially if you're using the coffee cream filling. This helps the filling set and prevents it from oozing out too much.
Frequently Asked Questions
Coffee cake is traditionally named for being a delicious pairing with coffee, not because it contains coffee. However, in this recipe, the coffee cream filling adds a fun twist for coffee lovers!
Yes, but thaw them first and pat them dry to prevent excess moisture from affecting the muffin texture.
The crumb topping is a classic feature of coffee cake muffins, but you can skip it or replace it with a sprinkle of coarse sugar or chopped nuts for a different texture.
Using room-temperature ingredients, measuring accurately, and avoiding overmixing are key to moist muffins. Also, donโt overbake themโstart checking a few minutes before the suggested baking time.
Serving suggestions
Serve the muffins warm or at room temperature. Pair them with a cup of coffee, tea, or your favorite beverage. They are great served with some freshly sliced pineapple, mango, or just a bowl of fresh berries.
Storage suggestions
Store coffee cream-filled muffins in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, and berry-filled muffins for up to 3 days. At room temperature, berry-filled muffins can last up to 2 days, but coffee cream-filled muffins should always be refrigerated due to the dairy content. To freeze, wrap muffins individually in plastic wrap or foil, place them in a freezer-safe bag, and store for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature or overnight in the fridge, and reheat in the oven. Always let muffins cool completely before storing to maintain the crumb toppingโs texture.
Try these desserts as well
If you tried this Coffee Cake Muffins with Two Filling Options or any other recipe on my website, please leave a ๐ star rating and let me know how it went in the ๐ comments below. Thanks for visiting!
Recipe
Coffee Cake Muffins (Two Filling Options)
Equipment
- large mixing bowl for dry ingredients
- Medium Mixing Bowl for wet ingredients
- Small mixing bowl for topping
- Cooling Rack optional, for cooling muffins
Ingredients
For the muffins
- 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 3/4 cup buttermilk (room temperature)
- 1/3 cup butter (melted and slightly cooled)
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
For the crumb topping
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar (packed)
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons butter (melted)
For the coffee cream filling option
- 1/2 cup cream cheese (softened to room temperature, I like to use whipped cream cheese)
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar optional, for extra sweetness
- 1 teaspoon instant coffee or espresso powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the berry filling option
- 1/2 cup fresh berries (blueberries, raspberries, or chopped strawberries, rinsed and patted dry)
- 1/2 tablespoon sugar (optional, for sweeter berries)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375ยฐF (190ยฐC) and line a muffin tin with paper liners, or lightly grease each cup with cooking spray.
Make the Muffin Batter
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.1.5 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon baking soda, 1/8 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- In a separate medium mixing bowl, mix the buttermilk, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.3/4 cup buttermilk, 1/3 cup butter, 2 large eggs, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Do not overmix; a few lumps are okay.
Prepare the Crumb Topping
- In a small bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon.1/3 cup all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Add the melted butter and mix with a fork until crumbs form. Set aside.2 tablespoons butter
Make the Fillings (Choose One or Both):
Coffee Cream Filling
- In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar (if using), instant coffee, and vanilla until smooth.1/2 cup cream cheese, 1 tablespoon powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon instant coffee, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Berry Filling
- Toss the fresh berries with 1 tablespoon of sugar optionally.1/2 cup fresh berries, 1/2 tablespoon sugar
Assemble the Muffins
- Spoon a small amount of muffin batter (about 1 tablespoon) into each muffin cup. Add a teaspoon of your chosen filling in the center and top with more muffin batter until each cup is about ยพ full, covering the filling.
- Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over each muffin.
Bake!
- Bake in the preheated oven for 18โ22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the muffin (away from the filling) comes out clean. Allow the muffins to cool in the tin for 5 minutes then, optionally, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Donโt Overmix the Batter: Stir the wet and dry ingredients until just combined. Overmixing can make the muffins dense instead of light and fluffy.
- Bring eggs, milk, and butter to room temperature before mixing. This ensures a smooth batter and helps the muffins rise evenly.
- If using the berry filling, choose fresh, firm berries to prevent extra moisture from making the muffins soggy. Pat them dry after rinsing.
- For the coffee cream filling, a good-quality instant coffee or espresso powder makes a big difference in flavor. Dissolve it in a tiny bit of warm water if you prefer a smoother texture.
- Be generous with the crumb toppingโitโs what gives these muffins their signature coffee cake vibe! Press it lightly onto the batter so it sticks during baking.
- Allow the muffins to cool completely, especially if you're using the coffee cream filling. This helps the filling set and prevents it from oozing out too much.
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