Irresistibly Fluffy Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins Recipe

Pumpkin cream cheese muffins blend seasonal warmth with tantalizing sweetness that instantly reinvents ordinary mornings.

These delectable treats emerge from a perfect marriage of autumnal spices and creamy indulgence.

Soft, moist textures promise a delightful sensory experience that captures the essence of fall’s culinary magic.

Fragrant notes of warm spices weave through each tender bite, creating a harmonious balance between robust pumpkin and smooth cream cheese.

Bakers seeking comfort find solace in these inviting muffins that whisper memories of cozy kitchen gatherings.

Rich ingredients come together with surprising simplicity, turning an everyday breakfast into a memorable moment of pure enjoyment.

Each muffin delivers a comforting embrace of flavor that feels both familiar and extraordinary.

Why Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins Are the Ultimate Fall Treat

• Savor Seasonal Comfort: These pumpkin cream cheese muffins capture the cozy essence of autumn with their warm spices and rich, velvety texture that wraps you in pure comfort.
• Master Bakery-Level Technique: The unique folding method creates a stunning marbled effect, transforming ordinary muffins into a visually impressive treat that looks like it's straight from a professional bakery.
• Quick and Foolproof Creation: Designed for both novice and experienced bakers, this recipe requires simple ingredients and basic mixing skills, delivering delicious results in under 30 minutes with minimal effort.
• Decadent Flavor Fusion: The combination of creamy cream cheese filling and spiced pumpkin batter offers a perfect balance of sweet and tangy notes that dance delightfully on your taste buds.

Ingredients for Moist Pumpkin Muffins with a Creamy Center

• Vegetable Oil: Light and neutral oil that keeps muffins moist and tender.
• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with browning of the muffins.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, rich flavor to enhance overall taste.
• Pumpkin Puree: Gives authentic pumpkin flavor and moisture to the muffins.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and provide structure.
• Milk: Adds moisture and helps create soft texture.

• All-Purpose Flour: Main structure for muffins, creates tender crumb.
• Baking Soda, Baking Powder: Essential leavening agents for rising.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances other flavors.
• Pumpkin Pie Spice: Classic blend that adds warm, autumnal flavor.

• Cream Cheese: Provides rich, tangy filling with creamy texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cream cheese mixture.
• Egg: Helps bind and stabilize the cream cheese filling.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds subtle depth to cream cheese mixture.

How to Bake Cream Cheese Filled Pumpkin Muffins

Step 1: Prepare Oven And Baking Gear

Preheat oven to 375°F. Line muffin pan with paper liners.

Step 2: Create Pumpkin Batter

• Vegetable oil
• Granulated sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Pumpkin puree
• Eggs
• Milk

Blend until smooth and well combined.

Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Baking soda
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Pumpkin pie spice

Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture until just incorporated.

Step 4: Craft Cream Cheese Filling

• Cream cheese
• Granulated sugar
• Egg
• Vanilla extract

Mix until creamy and consistent.

Step 5: Assemble Muffin Layers

Fill muffin cups two-thirds full with pumpkin batter. Top each with a generous spoonful of cream cheese mixture.

Step 6: Create Marbled Effect

Carefully swirl cream cheese into pumpkin batter using a knife, creating elegant patterns.

Step 7: Bake To Perfection

Bake for 15-18 minutes until a toothpick comes out with minimal moist crumbs. Allow muffins to cool completely before serving.

Tips for Swirling Cream Cheese Just Right

• Measure Ingredients Precisely: Use exact measurements for flour, spices, and cream cheese to ensure perfect texture and flavor balance.
• Soften Cream Cheese Correctly: Let cream cheese sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before mixing to achieve a smooth, lump-free filling.
• Fold Gently for Marbling: Use a knife to create delicate swirls, avoiding overmixing to maintain distinct cream cheese and pumpkin layers.
• Check Muffin Doneness Carefully: Test with a toothpick at 15 minutes; remove from oven when only a few moist crumbs remain to prevent dry muffins.
• Cool Completely Before Serving: Allow muffins to cool entirely on a wire rack to set the structure and enhance flavor development.

Reheating Muffins Without Losing That Softness

• Refrigerate: Store muffins in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Keep them separated with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Freeze: Wrap individual muffins tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months for maximum freshness and flavor preservation.
• Reheat: Warm refrigerated muffins in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or in a preheated oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes until heated through. Avoid overheating to maintain their soft, tender texture.

Pair These Muffins with Your Morning Beverage

• Brew the Perfect Coffee Companion: Pair these pumpkin cream cheese muffins with a rich, medium-roast Colombian coffee that complements the warm spices and brings out the creamy sweetness of the cream cheese filling.
• Elevate with Warm Spiced Chai: A spiced chai latte creates a magical flavor harmony, with its blend of cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger echoing the pumpkin pie spice in the muffins.
• Indulge with Caramel Drizzle Delight: Add a subtle caramel sauce or a dollop of salted caramel whipped cream on the side to enhance the muffins' autumnal richness and provide a luxurious contrast to the spiced pumpkin base.
• Refresh with Cinnamon Apple Cider: A warm, lightly spiced apple cider offers a crisp, seasonal drink that balances the muffins' dense texture and adds a complementary fall-inspired flavor profile.

Toppings and Mix-Ins to Customize the Flavor

• Nutty Pumpkin Swirl: Mix chopped pecans or walnuts into the cream cheese filling for added crunch and depth of flavor.
• Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Dream: Fold dark chocolate chips into the pumpkin batter for a rich, decadent upgrade that complements the warm spices.
• Streusel-Topped Pumpkin Bliss: Sprinkle a homemade crumbly streusel mixture of butter, flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon on top before baking for extra texture and sweetness.
• Maple Glazed Pumpkin Treat: Drizzle a simple maple glaze made with powdered sugar and pure maple syrup over cooled muffins for a luxurious finishing touch.

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins Recipe

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4.7 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 33 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Warm, spiced pumpkin cream cheese muffins bring autumn’s comforting embrace to your breakfast table. Swirled with rich cream cheese and dusted with cinnamon streusel, these muffins invite you to savor the season’s most delightful morning treat.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 ¼ cups (305 g) pumpkin puree
• 2 large eggs
• 1 ¾ cups (210 g) all-purpose flour
• 8 oz (226 g) block cream cheese
• 1 large egg (for cream cheese filling)

Sweeteners and Sugars:

• 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
• ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar (for cream cheese filling)

Liquid and Flavor Ingredients:

• ½ cup (118 ml) oil (canola/vegetable)
• ½ cup (118 ml) milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (for cream cheese filling)
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 4 tsp pumpkin pie spice

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Instructions

1. Prepare all measuring tools and mixing bowls for efficient ingredient combination.
2. Combine vegetable oil, granulated sugar, and pure vanilla extract in a spacious mixing vessel, creating a smooth liquid base.
3. Incorporate pumpkin puree, fresh eggs, and milk into the initial mixture, whisking vigorously until ingredients form a uniform, silky texture.
4. In a separate container, sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder, kosher salt, and aromatic pumpkin pie spice.
5. Gently fold dry ingredients into the moistened mixture, stirring until just incorporated to prevent dense muffin texture.
6. Create cream cheese filling by whipping cream cheese and sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
7. Fold egg and vanilla into cream cheese mixture, ensuring complete integration with smooth, consistent motion.
8. Arrange paper liners inside muffin tin, providing an even surface for batter distribution.
9. Carefully ladle pumpkin batter into each liner, filling approximately two-thirds of each compartment.
10. Delicately spoon cream cheese mixture atop pumpkin batter, creating artistic swirls with minimal blending.
11. Use a slim knife to marble batters, creating intricate patterns without overmixing.
12. Position muffin tin in preheated oven at 375°F, baking for 15-18 minutes until toothpick reveals minimal moisture.
13. Remove from oven and allow muffins to cool completely on wire rack, ensuring optimal texture and flavor development.

Notes

• Elevate your baking game with these decadent pumpkin cream cheese muffins that blend seasonal warmth with creamy indulgence.
• Marbling technique is crucial for creating beautiful swirls, so gently fold batters using a knife instead of aggressive stirring.
• Room temperature ingredients ensure smoother mixing and help achieve a more consistent muffin texture.
• Use fresh pumpkin pie spice to maximize the warm, aromatic flavor profile of these autumnal treats.
• Check muffins early to prevent over-baking, as the perfect texture comes from removing them when a few moist crumbs remain on the toothpick.
• Store cooled muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for extended freshness.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 18 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 305
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 65 mg