I made a box mix of cinnamon crumb topped muffins the other day. The boys loved them. Unfortunately, I bought the mix a while ago and have no idea where I got it. This makes it hard to buy more.

This was my attempt to recreate both the taste and the easy to prepare nature.

The box called them cupcakes so I started with a cake mix but you could use a muffin mix. If you are not getting up at 6:00 to make them--school starts at 7:20--you could make them with your favorite scratch recipe.

This is easy enough for the kids to make.

This is not exactly the same as the original but the kids don't seem to care. I am thinking about trying this recipe with a chocolate cake mix next time.

Step 1: Ingredients:

cake mix--I used a yellow cake mix--and whatever the mix calls for (mine called for eggs, oil, and water)

1 cup of dry pancake mix (or multipurpose baking mix)
1/2 stick butter (or margarine, coconut oil)
2 tablespoons cinnamon
1/2 cup sugar

Optional
1/4 cup chopped nuts

Step 2: Crumb Topping

Make ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. This makes it much easier when you are still half asleep in the morning.

In a small bowl, combine butter, pancake mix, cinnamon, and sugar. The mixture should be rather dry and of uniform color. If you still see bits of butter, mix some more. Use more cinnamon if your kids really like cinnamon.

Measuring is not all that critical. Add other favorite flavors if you want.

I usually use a multipurpose baking mix (Bisquick, Jiffy, etc) but ran out. Pancake mix is an easy substitution.

Step 3: The Cake Part

Preheat oven to 350 or whatever you mix calls for.

Optional:
Line a muffin pan with those little paper things. Spray with a little non-stick spray.

Prepare the cake mix according to the package instructions. Before mixing, add in half of the crumb topping.

Fill 12 of the paper cups. The box says 2/3 full but who can measure that. Just try to fill them all about the same so they bake evenly.

Sprinkle with the remaining crumb topping. Press the topping gently to make sure it sticks. You can sprinkle the tops with your favorite chopped nuts also. I used pecans because that was what the original box mix used.

Bake for 23 minutes. Makes one dozen. Lasts until they leave for school (or sometimes there is one left for mom).