These coffee doughnut muffins are everything you want for breakfast, and more

Think of these coffee doughnut muffins as your favorite breakfast hits all rolled into one. First, there’s the cake, rich with butter, a hint of freshly brewed coffee and the subtle tang of buttermilk. The muffins are basted with more butter while they’re still warm, then rolled in a mixture of sugar and espresso powder.

We got the recipe from Sweet Butter Kitchen in Sherman Oaks, and it’s been a reader favorite since it first ran. It was also named one of our top recipes of the year in 2014. Make them for breakfast, dessert or any time in between.

SWEET BUTTER’S COFFEE DOUGHNUT MUFFINS

Total time: 1 hour | Makes 2 dozen muffins

4 cups (17 ounces) flour
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 to 3 tablespoons espresso powder, divided
3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons prepared coffee
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) softened butter, plus ¾ to 1 cup (1 1/2 to 2 sticks) melted butter, divided
3 1/2 cups (24 1/2 ounces) sugar, divided
4 eggs

1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees and grease 2 (12-cup) muffin pans or tins.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt and 1 tablespoon espresso powder. In a separate bowl or large measuring cup, combine the coffee, buttermilk and vanilla. Set aside.

3. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large bowl using a hand mixer, beat together 1 1/2 cups softened butter with 2 cups (14 ounces) sugar until light and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, waiting until each egg is fully incorporated before adding another.

4. Gently beat the flour and coffee mixtures into the butter mixture, alternating between wet and dry, one-third of each at a time. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to make sure all of the ingredients are properly mixed.

5. Divide the batter among each of the greased muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds to three-fourths of the way full. Place the pan in the oven and bake until the muffins have risen and a toothpick inserted comes out clean, 20 to 30 minutes. Rotate the pan halfway through for even baking. Remove the muffins and cool completely.

6. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine the remaining 1 1/2 cups (10 1/2 ounces) sugar and 1 to 2 tablespoons espresso powder. Brush the cooled muffins on all sides with the melted butter, then roll in the sugar/espresso powder mixture. Serve immediately.

Each muffin: Calories 364; Protein 4 grams; Carbohydrates 46 grams; Fiber 1 gram; Fat 19 grams; Saturated fat 12 grams; Cholesterol 80 mg; Sugar 30 grams; Sodium 199 mg

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