3 Shares

French Breakfast Puffs are a delightful and indulgent treat that brings a sweet, buttery flavor to your breakfast table. These muffins are soft, tender, and topped with a sugary cinnamon coating, making them a perfect start to any day. Despite their name, these are not actually French but rather a classic treat from Betty Crocker’s cookbook. They’re simple to make, require basic ingredients, and are a perfect option for special occasions or a festive breakfast.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the muffins:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
- ⅔ cup butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs, at room temperature
- 1 cup milk, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
For the topping:
- ⅓ cup melted butter
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon

Directions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease the muffin cups generously with butter.
Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg.
Make the Batter: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is well incorporated. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients alternately with milk until just blended. Stir in vanilla.
Fill Muffin Cups: Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups, filling them about ⅔ full.
Bake: Bake the muffins for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Top the Muffins: While the muffins are baking, prepare the topping by mixing the cinnamon and sugar in one bowl and pouring melted butter into another. After the muffins are done, let them cool for just a minute before dipping the tops in the melted butter, followed by the cinnamon sugar mixture. Serve warm.

Nutrients (per muffin)

Calories: 233 kcal
Carbohydrates: 33g
Protein: 3g
Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
Cholesterol: 42mg
Sodium: 210mg
Potassium: 105mg
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 18g
Vitamin A: 327 IU
Calcium: 49mg
Iron: 1mg

Why French Breakfast Puffs Are So Popular

The charm of French Breakfast Puffs lies in their simple yet satisfying ingredients. Soft, buttery muffins are baked to perfection, and the sugary cinnamon topping adds the perfect touch of sweetness. The combination of the tender muffin with the sugary exterior makes for a delightful contrast of flavors and textures.

What makes these muffins even more appealing is their versatility. They can be made ahead of time, and they freeze well, making them ideal for meal prep or last-minute breakfast options. The recipe is straightforward enough for beginner bakers, and the results are always impressive. Whether served as part of a special breakfast spread or enjoyed as a quick snack, French Breakfast Puffs are guaranteed to please anyone with a sweet tooth.

How to Make French Breakfast Puffs

Making French Breakfast Puffs is simple and quick. With just a few easy steps, you can enjoy warm, freshly baked muffins that are perfect for any occasion. Here’s how you make them:

Preheat the Oven:
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously grease the muffin cups with butter to prevent the muffins from sticking.
Prepare Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together 3 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon of baking powder, 1 teaspoon of salt, and ¼ teaspoon of nutmeg (optional). The nutmeg adds a hint of spice, but it can be omitted if you prefer a simpler flavor.
Make the Batter:
In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to beat ⅔ cup of softened butter and 1 cup of sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is key to achieving a soft, airy muffin texture. Beat in the 2 eggs, one at a time, making sure each egg is well incorporated before adding the next one. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients alternately with 1 cup of milk, ensuring that the batter is just blended. Stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to finish the batter.
Fill the Muffin Cups:
Divide the muffin batter evenly among the muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full. This ensures that the muffins bake evenly and have a nice, rounded top.
Bake:
Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the edges of the muffins are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The muffins will rise beautifully and develop a light, fluffy texture.
Top the Muffins:
While the muffins are baking, prepare the topping. In a small bowl, mix together ¾ cup of sugar and 1 ½ teaspoons of cinnamon. In another bowl, melt ⅓ cup of butter. Once the muffins are done baking, let them cool for about a minute, just long enough for them to firm up slightly. Then, dip the tops of each muffin into the melted butter, followed by the cinnamon-sugar mixture, coating them thoroughly.
Serve:
Once the muffins are dipped in the cinnamon sugar, serve them warm for the best flavor and texture. These French Breakfast Puffs are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as an afternoon treat with a cup of coffee.

Why These Muffins Are So Indulgent

What sets French Breakfast Puffs apart is the irresistible combination of a soft, buttery muffin and the sweet, crunchy cinnamon-sugar topping. The tender texture of the muffin is made even more delicious by the warmth of the cinnamon sugar, which adds a satisfying sweetness and slight crunch. The melting butter gives the muffins a rich flavor, ensuring they’re as indulgent as they are delicious.

The simplicity of the ingredients also plays a key role. The recipe relies on basic pantry staples—flour, baking powder, sugar, butter, and eggs—yet the outcome feels much more decadent than its humble list of ingredients would suggest. The cinnamon sugar topping adds a festive touch, making these muffins perfect for special occasions like birthdays, holidays, or family gatherings.

Nutritional Information

While these French Breakfast Puffs are certainly indulgent, they offer a satisfying balance of macronutrients that can fuel you for the day ahead. Each muffin contains approximately 233 calories, with 33g of carbohydrates, 3g of protein, and 10g of fat. The fat content is mainly due to the butter in the muffin batter and the topping, contributing to the rich, buttery flavor.

Each muffin also provides 1g of fiber, which is helpful for digestion, and 18g of sugar, primarily from the cinnamon-sugar topping. While the muffins are relatively high in sugar, they are a treat meant for occasional enjoyment. They also provide a small amount of calcium and iron, which are essential minerals for bone health and overall well-being.

Making It Your Own

Although this recipe is delicious as written, there’s plenty of room for customization based on your personal tastes:

Add-ins: Feel free to incorporate your favorite add-ins to the batter, such as chocolate chips, dried fruit (like raisins or cranberries), or chopped nuts (like pecans or walnuts). These additions will give the muffins more texture and flavor variety.
Spices: While nutmeg is optional, you could also experiment with adding cinnamon, ginger, or even a dash of cardamom for a unique twist on the flavor.
Gluten-Free Option: To make the muffins gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Be sure to check that the baking powder you’re using is gluten-free as well.
Dairy-Free Version: For a dairy-free version, substitute the butter with a plant-based alternative, and use a non-dairy milk like almond milk or oat milk in place of regular milk.

Conclusion

French Breakfast Puffs are an indulgent yet simple treat that’s perfect for any occasion. The soft, buttery muffins topped with sugary cinnamon goodness are a delightful way to start your day or enjoy a mid-afternoon snack. Whether you’re serving them for a special breakfast gathering or making them just for yourself, these muffins are sure to impress. Their rich flavor, combined with the ease of preparation, makes them a go-to recipe for anyone craving a little sweet indulgence.

Pin3