Description
Enjoy the comforting flavors of fall with these Starbucks-inspired Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins. Soft, moist, and perfectly spiced, each muffin features a creamy cream cheese filling that makes it irresistibly delicious. This easy-to-make recipe is perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a cozy snack any time of day.
Ingredients
Muffin
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1 ½ cups pumpkin puree (not pie filling)
- ¼ cup butter, melted and cooled
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 egg
Cream Cheese Filling
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon flour
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon milk
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Muffin Tray: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin tray with muffin liners or spray it with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin pie spice until well combined.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix the pumpkin puree, melted and cooled butter, vanilla extract, and egg until smooth.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix to keep the muffins tender.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Filling: In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with sugar, flour, vanilla extract, and milk until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Fill Muffin Cups: Spoon the muffin batter into each muffin cup, filling about ¾ full. Add a dollop of the cream cheese filling to the center of each muffin cup on top of the batter.
- Bake the Muffins: Place the tray in the preheated oven and bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the muffins are set and a toothpick inserted near the cream cheese filling comes out clean.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the muffins from the oven and transfer to a cooling rack. Let them cool briefly before serving. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Optional toppings: sprinkle pumpkin seeds, coarse sugar, chocolate chips, or chopped walnuts on top before baking for added texture and flavor.
- Store muffins in the refrigerator for up to 4 days to maintain freshness.
- For longer storage, freeze muffins for up to 3 months; thaw before eating.
- Ensure you grease the muffin tray thoroughly or use muffin liners to prevent the muffins from sticking.