The Best Homemade Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins Recipe

Starbucks pumpkin cream cheese muffins capture the essence of autumn’s most beloved flavors in every delectable bite.

Warm spices dance through rich, moist batter, creating a sensory experience that whispers of cozy mornings and crisp seasonal changes.

Creamy cheese centers provide unexpected moments of indulgence within each soft, tender crumb.

Bakery-style texture refines home baking into a delightful culinary adventure that rivals professional pastry kitchens.

Seasonal ingredients merge seamlessly, promising a treat that feels both nostalgic and innovative.

Passionate home bakers can recreate this coffeehouse favorite with simple techniques and accessible pantry staples.

Your kitchen will soon overflow with irresistible aromas that beckon friends and family to gather around.

Starbucks-Style Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins That Hit the Spot

• Burst with Seasonal Comfort: These pumpkin cream cheese muffins capture the cozy essence of autumn, delivering warm, spicy flavors that wrap you in nostalgic comfort like a soft blanket.
• Creamy Surprise Inside: The unexpected cream cheese center transforms ordinary muffins into a delightful treat, creating a luxurious, smooth filling that adds richness and excitement to every bite.
• Quick and Easy Baking Adventure: Perfect for busy mornings or spontaneous baking sessions, this recipe requires minimal preparation time and simple ingredients, making it accessible for bakers of all skill levels.
• Perfectly Balanced Texture: Combining soft, tender muffin crumb with a luscious cream cheese center, these muffins offer a delightful contrast of textures that keeps you coming back for more.

Everything Needed to Make Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins at Home

• All-Purpose Flour: Basic structure and volume for the muffins, choose unbleached for better texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with browning, white sugar works best.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Crucial leavening agents for light and fluffy muffins.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.
• Pumpkin Pie Spice, Cinnamon: Warm, aromatic spices that provide classic fall flavor.

• Pumpkin Puree: Fresh, seasonal ingredient that adds moisture and rich pumpkin flavor.
• Egg: Binds ingredients and provides structure to the muffins.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and tender crumb, melted for easy mixing.
• Vanilla Extract: Depth of flavor and enhances sweet notes.

• Cream Cheese: Smooth, tangy filling that creates a delightful center.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and helps create creamy texture.
• Flour: Helps stabilize the cream cheese filling.

• Non-Stick Cooking Spray or Muffin Liners: Ensures easy removal of muffins.

How to Bake Moist Muffins with a Creamy Swirl

Step 1: Prepare Oven and Mixing Stations

Warm up the oven to 350°F. Grab two large mixing bowls for dry and wet ingredients. Line a muffin pan with paper liners or spray with non-stick cooking spray.

Step 2: Create Dry Ingredient Blend

• All-purpose flour
• Granulated sugar
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Pumpkin pie spice
• Ground cinnamon

Whisk ingredients until thoroughly blended.

Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredient Combination

• Pumpkin puree
• Egg
• Melted butter
• Vanilla extract

Stir until smooth and consistent.

Step 4: Merge Ingredient Mixtures

Gently fold wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Avoid overmixing to maintain soft muffin texture.

Step 5: Prepare Cream Cheese Filling

• Cream cheese
• Powdered sugar
• Flour
• Pinch of salt

Beat until silky and uniform in texture.

Step 6: Fill Muffin Cups

Transfer batter into muffin liners, filling each about two-thirds full. Use a piping bag or ziplock bag to inject cream cheese mixture into muffin centers.

Step 7: Bake and Cool Muffins

Slide muffin pan into preheated oven. Bake 15-20 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow muffins to cool in pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Serve and enjoy these delectable autumn treats warm or at room temperature!

Tips to Keep Muffins Fluffy with a Rich Center

• Measure Precisely: Use level measuring cups and spoons to ensure accurate ingredient proportions for consistent results.
• Avoid Overmixing: Stir the batter gently until just combined to keep the muffins tender and prevent a tough texture.
• Chill Cream Cheese: Soften cream cheese at room temperature for 30 minutes before mixing to create a smoother filling.
• Create Clean Filling: Use a piping bag or plastic bag with a corner snipped off for neat and even cream cheese centers.
• Cool Completely: Allow muffins to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to prevent breaking and maintain their shape.

Storage and Reheating Tips for These Fall-Inspired Muffins

• Refrigerate: Wrap muffins individually in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container. Keep refrigerated for up to 4 days to maintain freshness and prevent drying out.
• Freeze: Place cooled muffins in a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 2 months. Label with the date to track storage time.
• Reheat: Warm refrigerated or thawed muffins in the microwave for 15-20 seconds. For best texture, use an oven or toaster oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes, which helps restore their original softness and keeps the cream cheese filling creamy.

Ideal Coffee or Tea Pairings for Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

• Brew the Perfect Coffee Companion: Pair these pumpkin cream cheese muffins with a warm, medium-roast coffee that complements the spicy notes of pumpkin pie spice. The rich, smooth flavor of the coffee will enhance the muffin's creamy texture and warm autumn flavors.
• Create a Cozy Beverage Duo: Serve alongside a steaming mug of chai tea or a spiced apple cider. These drinks echo the warm spices in the muffin and create a comforting fall-inspired breakfast or afternoon treat.
• Elevate with a Sweet Sidekick: Complement the muffins with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. The cool, creamy addition provides a delightful contrast to the warm, spiced muffin and adds an extra layer of indulgence.
• Balance with Nutty Crunch: Sprinkle some toasted pecans or walnuts on the side to add a delightful crunch and nutty depth that pairs beautifully with the pumpkin and cream cheese flavors.

Topping and Mix-In Variations for Pumpkin Muffins

• Maple Pecan Pumpkin Muffins: Replace half the sugar with maple syrup and sprinkle chopped pecans on top before baking for a nutty, autumnal flavor profile.
• Gluten-Free Pumpkin Spice Muffins: Swap regular flour with a gluten-free blend and add almond flour for extra moisture and texture.
• Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins: Fold in dark chocolate chips into the batter and drizzle melted chocolate over the cooled muffins for a decadent finish.
• Vegan Pumpkin Cream Cheese Option: Use plant-based butter, flax egg, and dairy-free cream cheese alternative to create a completely plant-based version of the classic recipe.

Best Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins Recipe

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4.5 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Starbucks pumpkin cream cheese muffins capture autumn’s warmth with rich spices and creamy filling. Perfectly balanced between sweet pumpkin cake and tangy cream cheese center, these muffins deliver pure seasonal comfort you’ll crave all season long.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients (Muffin Base):

• 1½ cups (355 ml) all-purpose flour
• 1½ cups (355 ml) pumpkin puree
• 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• ¼ cup (60 ml) unsalted butter, melted

Spices and Seasonings:

• 1½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract

Cream Cheese Filling:

• 8 ounces (226 g) cream cheese
• ½ cup (60 g) powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
• 1 pinch of salt

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a standard muffin tin with non-stick spray or paper liners.
2. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, pumpkin pie spice, and cinnamon in a spacious mixing bowl, creating a uniform dry mixture.
3. Whisk pumpkin puree, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract in a separate container until thoroughly blended.
4. Delicately incorporate the wet ingredients into the dry mixture, stirring minimally to maintain a tender texture. Stop mixing once ingredients are just combined.
5. Fill each muffin cavity approximately two-thirds full with the prepared batter, ensuring even distribution.
6. Create the cream cheese filling by blending cream cheese, powdered sugar, flour, and a subtle pinch of salt until achieving a silky, consistent texture.
7. Using a piping bag or sealed plastic bag with a trimmed corner, carefully inject the cream cheese mixture into the center of each unbaked muffin.
8. Position the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick near the muffin’s edge.
9. Allow muffins to rest in the pan for 10 minutes after removing from the oven, then transfer to a cooling rack.
10. Serve and savor these delectable pumpkin cream cheese muffins either warm or at ambient temperature.

Notes

• Cream cheese filling can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated for up to 2 days, saving precious morning prep time.
• Substitute whole wheat flour for a portion of all-purpose flour to boost nutritional value and add a nutty undertone.
• Overmixing the batter leads to tough, dense muffins, so gently fold ingredients until just combined for tender results.
• Store muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days or refrigerate for extended freshness.
• Sprinkle pumpkin seeds or chopped pecans on top before baking for extra crunch and visual appeal.
• Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smoother mixing and better overall texture of the muffins.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg