This Vanilla Cinnamon Sugar Swirl Cupcakes recipe is often requested for social gatherings. These cupcakes are light, fluffy, and full of cinnamon deliciousness.
After all these years of making different types of cupcakes, these are the ones people remember! Surprisingly easy to make, these cupcakes don't disappoint!
![Vanilla Cinnamon Sugar Swirl Cupcakes cinnamon stick milk fork Vanilla Cinnamon Sugar Swirl Cupcakes on a white plate with two cinnamon sticks.](https://mamaneedscake.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/DSC05018.jpg)
The Vanilla Cinnamon Sugar Swirl Cupcakes Recipe
You will find real cinnamon throughout the cupcake. Swirled inside the cupcake itself and generously mixed into the buttercream frosting. By adding a light dusting of cinnamon on top of these cupcakes, it gives it a beautiful finishing touch.
The Right Amount of Cinnamon
Cinnamon can be tricky - sometimes you can add just too much and it's overwhelming. Certainly, this is not the case with this recipe. Although it has cinnamon spice throughout the cupcake, it is more subtle than overpowering.
Also, making and baking these cupcakes will awaken your senses with the enticing scent of vanilla throughout your home.
Cinnamon Swirl Cupcakes
To create the delicious cinnamon flavor in these cupcakes start by lining your cupcake pans. Once they are lined, scoop 1 tablespoon of batter into the liners and top it with ¼ teaspoon of the cinnamon-sugar mixture and repeat the steps until the cupcake liners are halfway full.
Bake the prepared cupcakes in the oven for 16 to 18 minutes. There should be minimum crumbs when inserting a toothpick into the center of the cupcakes. Allow these cupcakes to cool completely before attempting to frost them.
If you frost them while the cupcakes are still warm the frosting will melt and slide off the cupcake. Be patient!
![Vanilla Cinnamon Sugar Swirl Cupcakes cinnamon stick milk fork batter Vanilla Cinnamon Sugar Swirl Cupcake batter in cupcake liners before baking.](https://mamaneedscake.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/DSC04961.jpg)
Ingredients in Vanilla Cinnamon Sugar Swirl Cupcakes
- All purpose flour
- Granulated Sugar
- Ground cinnamon
- Baking soda
- Baking powder
- Salted butter, room temperature
- Egg whites
- Vanilla extract
- Sour cream
- Milk
- Shortening
- Confectioner's sugar
How To make Vanilla Cinnamon Cupcakes
Preheat the oven and prepare the muffin tins- Preheat the oven to 350°F and cupcake liners to the tins.
Mix the dry ingredients- Mix together the flour, cinnamon, granulated sugar, baking soda, and baking powder together in a bowl.
Combine the wet ingredients- Beat the room temperature butter, egg whites, sour cream, vanilla extract, and milk. Beat until the mixture is smooth.
TIP: A hand mixer is a great kitchen tool to quickly make your cupcake and cake batters.
Blend the ingredients - Combine the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and mix until blended. Avoid overmixing.
Make the cinnamon sugar- In a small bowl, combine the cinnamon and the granulated sugar. Set aside.
Fill the cupcake liners- Drop one tablespoon of batter into the cupcake liners and triple ¼ teaspoon of the cinnamon-sugar mixture on top of the batter.
Repeat these steps until the liners are halfway full. Top off the cupcake batter with a little more cinnamon sugar.
Bake the cupcakes- Bake the cupcakes for 16-18 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Oven temperatures will vary.
Allow the cupcakes to cool completely before frosting.
![Vanilla Cinnamon Sugar Swirl Cupcakes cinnamon stick milk fork A close up of a Vanilla Cinnamon Sugar Swirl Cupcake on a white plate with a fork and cinnamon sticks.](https://mamaneedscake.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/DSC05136.jpg)
Spruce Up Your Cupcake
I believe that making a cupcake shouldn't be difficult. A cupcake can easily be made by baking a vanilla cupcake and frosting it with buttercream. Well, that's how simple this recipe is! It's an extra step for the cinnamon - it's as simple as that.
These cupcakes don't take a lot of work but they succeed in elevating your everyday cupcake. No one will even know how little work it took to make them. 😉 Additionally, they're a lot of fun to make and they definitely spark creativity.
![A plate of vanilla cupcakes with a cinnamon buttercream and a jar of milk.](https://mamaneedscake.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DSC05117-2.jpg)
RELATED: Red Velvet Cupcakes
A Favorite to Those Near and Dear
My mother requests these Vanilla Cinnamon Sugar Swirl cupcakes for her birthday every year. In fact, she doesn't even have to ask, she just expects them. They're a real treat for friends and loved ones, they'll love them so much they'll request them time after time!
I'd had a lot of great feedback on Pinterest from those who have tried this cupcake and absolutely love it! In fact, they make it for special occasions, too!
📖 Recipe
Vanilla Cinnamon Sugar Swirl Cupcakes
![Vanilla Cinnamon Sugar Swirl Cupcakes](https://mamaneedscake.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/DSC05029-720x720.jpg)
A vanilla and cinnamon base cupcake with a vanilla and cinnamon buttercream frosting.
Ingredients
- 2 cup all purpose flour
- 1 ¼ cup sugar
- 1 ¾ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ cup salted butter, room temperature
- 3 egg whites
- 2 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup milk
Cinnamon Sugar Mixture
- 2 tablespoon cinnamon
- ⅓ cup sugar
Vanilla Cinnamon Sugar Frosting
- ½ cup butter, softened
- ½ cup shortening
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 3 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoon milk
Instructions
For cupcakes
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Mix together flour, cinnamon, sugar, baking soda, and baking powder in mixing bowl. I use my electric mixer.
- Add butter (room temperature), egg whites, sour cream, vanilla, and milk - Mix until smooth (no lumps).
- Add cupcake liners to cupcake pan.
- Combine cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl.
- Place 1 tablespoon of batter into each cupcake liner
- Sprinkle ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon sugar mixture on top of cupcake batter.
- Repeat steps until liners are half way full.
- Sprinkle a little more cinnamon sugar mixture on top of half-filled liners
- Bake for 16-18 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with minimal crumbs
- Allow to cool for a few minutes
- Remove cupcakes and continue cooling on wire rack.
For the Frosting
- Mix room temperature butter and shortening until smooth.
- Add 1 teaspoon of vanilla, mix until well blended
- Add powdered sugar one cup at a time and mix until well blended. (Mixture will be stiff)
- Mix in cinnamon until well blended.
- Add in milk 1 tablespoon at a time. Add until right consistency.
- Pipe cupcakes with frosting.
- Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar if desired.
Notes
Wait until cupcakes are completely cool before frosting.
This recipe is easily doubled and the frosting recipe is great on other cupcake batters as well!
Tip: If you want cupcakes with tall frosting, prepare 2 batches of frosting.
Like this recipe? Check out my Caramel Drizzled Brown Sugar Vanilla Cupcakes!
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
16Serving Size:
1 gramsAmount Per Serving: Calories: 436Total Fat: 19.8gSaturated Fat: 10.3gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 34mgSodium: 117mgCarbohydrates: 63.9gFiber: 1.3gSugar: 49.8gProtein: 3g
![](https://mamaneedscake.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Vanilla-Cinnamon-Sugar-Swirl-Cupcakes-1.png)
Dana is an experienced recipe creator who crafts easy and delicious recipes for all levels of home cooks.
Her recipes range from classic comfort foods to healthy and nutritious meals, and she is always on the lookout for new and exciting ways to bring flavor and variety to the table.
kim says
This is definitely my kind of cupcake recipe! Loving that added cinnamon and vanilla... yum!
danielle wolter says
I really love all desserts with cinnamon, so these sound just perfect!
Adree | The Keele Deal says
These cupcakes look delicious. Cinnamon and Vanilla are two of my favorite flavors and I'm sure they taste amazing mixed together!
Sage says
I love cinnamon. These sound amazing!
SHANIKA says
Yum! These cupcakes look absolutely delicious! Saving this recipe for later!
A says
looks great!
Andrea says
I want to try this and I have everything needed besides the sour cream. Is there a substitution that would work?
Dana says
Hi Andrea,
You can substitute the sour cream for Greek yogurt in baked goods! However, I've never made this recipe with the substitution. 🙂
Lauren says
Did you use unsalted butter for the butter cream? Looks so yummy!!
Dana says
Hi Lauren,
Yes, I did use unsalted butter. 🙂
Jacqueline Debono says
I adore cakes and desserts with cinnamon! These cupcakes look wonderful! Pinning for later!
Blake Ancell says
This looks so delicious! I am going to get the ingredients and try this with my daughter because she loves to bake things!
Dana says
I hope your daughter enjoys baking them!
Blake Ancell says
I think she will. She spends more time in the kitchen than anywhere else. Once we actually make them I will share the experience with you!
Lindsay says
Good morning! Is it detrimental to substitute the shortening in the frosting with more butter?
Thanks!!!
Dana says
You absolutely can substitute the shortening for more butter! It will give the frosting a heavier taste. 🙂 Hope that helps!
Carolyn says
Could I substitute the all purpose flour for a gluten free mix (Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free)?
Dana says
Yes, you can substitute with a 1:1 ratio but add 1 tsp of xanthan gum to the batter to replace the gluten. Hope that helps!
Lynn says
Wow... delish... i added more cinnamon in my frosting cause i just wanted it stonger tasting ?
Dana says
So happy to hear you liked these cupcakes! They're a family favorite!
Aza says
Ummmmmm YUM!!! I added marshmallows on top because I made the cupcakes at winter and the marshmallows made it feel like a hot chocolate winter cupcake. Would make again anytime 🙂
Dana says
That combination sounds absolutely delicious!
Alex says
The butter for the frosting...is that also salted butter?
Dana says
You can use either if you prefer but I do make the frosting with salted.