Creating Snickerdoodle Muffins can be effortless when you follow these simple steps:

1. Preheat oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin tin with paper liners or grease it well.
2. Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon. Set aside.
3. Cream butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy—about 2-3 minutes.
4. Add eggs and vanilla: Beat in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, stir in the vanilla extract until combined.
5. Incorporate dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with buttermilk. Begin and end with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined; be careful not to overmix.
6. Prepare cinnamon sugar: In a small bowl, combine 3 tablespoons of granulated sugar with 1 tablespoon of cinnamon. Set aside.
7. Fill muffin cups: Spoon the muffin batter into the prepared muffin cups, filling them about two-thirds full.
8. Add topping: Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture generously over the tops of the batter in each muffin cup.
9. Bake: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
10. Cool: Remove the muffins from the oven and allow them to cool in the pan for about 5 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

These steps will guide you in making perfect Snickerdoodle Muffins every time!