Maple Bourbon Cinnamon Pretzel Muffins (Print version)
Soft, cinnamon-bourbon muffins topped with maple glaze and crunchy pretzels for a sweet-salty treat.
# What You Need:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 tablespoon baking powder
03 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
04 - 3/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
05 - 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
06 - 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
→ Wet Ingredients
07 - 2 large eggs
08 - 1 cup whole milk
09 - 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
10 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
11 - 2 tablespoons bourbon
12 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
→ Mix-Ins and Toppings
13 - 1 cup mini salted pretzels, crushed, divided
14 - 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips (optional)
→ Maple Glaze
15 - 3/4 cup powdered sugar
16 - 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
17 - 1–2 teaspoons milk, as needed for consistency
18 - Pinch of salt
# How to Make:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a standard 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease thoroughly.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, fine sea salt, ground cinnamon, and packed light brown sugar until evenly combined.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, whole milk, pure maple syrup, melted unsalted butter, bourbon, and vanilla extract until homogeneous.
04 - Pour wet mixture into dry ingredients. Stir gently with a whisk or spatula until just combined, avoiding overmixing for optimal texture.
05 - Fold in 3/4 cup of crushed mini pretzels and chocolate chips if using, distributing evenly throughout the batter.
06 - Divide the batter equally among the prepared muffin cups, filling each approximately three-quarters full.
07 - Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup crushed pretzels over the tops of the filled muffin cups.
08 - Bake for 16 to 18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into one muffin emerges clean.
09 - Allow muffins to cool in the pan for 5 minutes to set structure, then transfer each to a wire rack to cool completely.
10 - Whisk powdered sugar, pure maple syrup, 1 teaspoon milk, and a pinch of salt in a bowl until smooth. Adjust with extra milk, a few drops at a time, for a drizzle consistency.
11 - Drizzle glaze evenly over cooled muffins and let set before serving.
# Expert tips:
01 -
- Sweet-salty combination with maple, cinnamon, and pretzel crunch
- Fun brunch treat with a delicious glaze
02 -
- For a non-alcoholic version: omit bourbon and add extra milk
- Pretzels may contain sesame and other allergen traces; check packaging if sensitive
03 -
- Serve muffins warm for a gooey pancake-like texture
- Try swapping chocolate chips for chopped pecans for extra crunch