Dirt Bombs (Nutmeg Muffins)

Dirt Bombs (Nutmeg Muffins) is a medium American recipe that serves 12. 365 calories per serving. Recipe by Claire Saffitz x Dessert Person on YouTube.

Prep: 37 min | Cook: 27 min | Total: 1 hr 19 min

Cost: $10.79 total, $0.90 per serving

Ingredients

  • 2 cups All‑purpose flour (sifted if desired)
  • 0.75 cup Granulated sugar (batter)
  • 1 tsp Baking powder
  • 0.5 tsp Baking soda
  • 1 pinch Salt
  • 0.25 tsp Ground nutmeg (generous pinch)
  • 2 sticks Unsalted butter (Kerrygold) – batter (room‑temperature, 1 cup)
  • 2 large Large eggs (room temperature)
  • 2 tsp Vanilla extract
  • 0.5 cup Sour cream (room temperature)
  • 2 sticks Unsalted butter (Kerrygold) – dunking (melted, warm)
  • 1 cup Granulated sugar (coating)
  • 1 tbsp Ground cinnamon

Instructions

  1. Melt butter for pan prep and dunking

    Place two sticks (1 cup) of unsalted butter in a saucepan over low heat and melt gently, stirring occasionally. Do not let it brown.

    Time: PT5M

  2. Combine dry ingredients

    In a large bowl whisk together the flour, 3/4 cup sugar, baking powder, baking soda, pinch of salt, and nutmeg until evenly distributed.

    Time: PT5M

  3. Make cinnamon‑sugar coating

    Mix 1 cup granulated sugar with 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon in a shallow plate until homogeneous.

    Time: PT2M

  4. Butter and flour the muffin tins

    Using a pastry brush, lightly coat the interior of each muffin cup with the melted butter. Then dust each cup with a little flour using a dusting wand, tapping off excess.

    Time: PT3M

  5. Cream butter

    In the stand mixer bowl, add the remaining two sticks (1 cup) of softened butter. Beat on medium speed until the mixture turns very pale, fluffy, and increases in volume.

    Time: PT5M

  6. Add eggs and vanilla

    Add the two room‑temperature eggs one at a time, allowing each to fully incorporate before adding the next. Then add 2 teaspoons vanilla extract and mix briefly.

    Time: PT3M

  7. Incorporate dry ingredients and sour cream

    With the mixer on low, add the dry mixture and sour cream in three dry / two wet stages: (a) one‑third of the flour mixture, (b) half of the sour cream, (c) another one‑third of the flour, (d) the remaining sour cream, (e) the final flour. Mix each addition just until incorporated.

    Time: PT7M

  8. Finish mixing by hand

    Turn off the mixer. Using a rubber spatula, fold the batter a few more times to ensure no pockets of flour or butter remain.

    Time: PT2M

  9. Portion batter into tins

    Using a 2‑ounce (≈½‑cup) ice‑cream scoop, place a scant scoop of batter into each prepared cup—about two‑thirds full. This yields 12 muffins.

    Time: PT5M

  10. Bake

    Preheat the oven to 375°F. Bake the muffins on two racks (upper third and lower third) for 20–25 minutes, rotating the pans after 15 minutes for even browning.

    Time: PT22M

    Temperature: 375°F

  11. Cool briefly and unmold

    Allow the muffins to sit in the pan for about 2 minutes, then gently tap each out onto a cooling rack.

    Time: PT2M

  12. Dunk and coat in butter‑cinnamon sugar

    Warm the reserved melted butter (if it has solidified) until just liquid. Quickly dip each hot muffin into the butter, letting excess drip, then roll it in the cinnamon‑sugar mixture until fully coated.

    Time: PT5M

  13. Serve or store

    Enjoy the dirt bombs warm, or let them cool completely before storing.

    Time: PT0M

Nutrition Facts

Calories
365
Protein
12 g
Carbohydrates
45 g
Fat
31 g
Fiber
1 g

Dietary info: vegetarian, low-calorie

Allergens: dairy, eggs, gluten

Last updated: April 7, 2026

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Dirt Bombs (Nutmeg Muffins)

Recipe by Claire Saffitz x Dessert Person

Holiday‑ready “dirt bombs” are fluffy nutmeg‑scented muffins that are dunked in melted butter and rolled in cinnamon‑sugar for a crisp, donut‑hole‑like crust. The recipe uses four sticks of butter for maximum richness, a stand‑mixer for a light crumb, and a quick butter‑cinnamon coating while the muffins are still hot.

MediumAmericanServes 12

Shop all ingredients on Amazon in one click • Printable PDF with shopping checklist

Source Video
44m
Prep
22m
Cook
10m
Cleanup
1h 16m
Total

Cost Breakdown

$10.79
Total cost
$0.90
Per serving

Critical Success Points

  • Melt butter for pan prep and dunking
  • Butter and flour the muffin tins
  • Cream butter
  • Incorporate dry ingredients and sour cream
  • Bake
  • Dunk and coat in butter‑cinnamon sugar

Safety Warnings

  • Melted butter is hot—handle with care to avoid burns.
  • The oven is hot; use mitts when handling pans.
  • The coated muffins are very tender; handle gently to prevent them from falling apart.

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