The Fluffiest Pumpkin Muffins with Maple Cream Cheese Filling Recipe

Pumpkin muffins sparkle with seasonal warmth and unexpected deliciousness that crafts ordinary breakfast moments.

Bakers passionate about autumn flavors understand these treats represent more than simple pastries.

Rich, moist textures merge beautifully with sweet maple undertones and creamy cheese centers.

Fragrant spices whisper promises of cozy mornings and nostalgic kitchen memories.

Soft, tender crumbs invite indulgence while maintaining a sophisticated balance between comfort and culinary craftsmanship.

Remarkable ingredients dance together, creating a harmonious blend that elevates traditional muffin expectations.

Comfort wrapped in a delicate package awaits you, promising pure culinary delight.

Why Pumpkin Muffins with Maple Cream Cheese Filling Work

• Burst with Seasonal Comfort: These pumpkin muffins deliver warm autumn flavors that wrap you in cozy, nostalgic feelings with every single bite.
• Create Surprising Texture Adventure: The soft, tender muffin contrasts beautifully with the creamy maple cream cheese filling, providing a delightful unexpected moment of culinary excitement.
• Enjoy Stress-Free Baking Experience: This recipe offers straightforward steps that even novice bakers can master, ensuring beautiful results without complicated techniques or specialized equipment.
• Elevate Everyday Moments: Perfect for casual breakfast, afternoon tea, or a sweet weekend treat that transforms ordinary days into something special and memorable.

Ingredients in Pumpkin Maple Muffins

• Vegetable Oil: Keeps muffins moist and tender, neutral flavor works well with pumpkin.
• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Provide sweetness and help create soft texture.
• Pumpkin Puree: Adds rich autumn flavor and moisture to the muffins.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor complexity.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients and provide structure.
• Milk: Adds moisture and helps create tender crumb.

• All-Purpose Flour: Primary structure for muffins, provides necessary texture.
• Baking Soda: Helps muffins rise and become light.
• Ground Cinnamon, Ground Cloves: Warm spices that complement pumpkin flavor.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall taste.

• Granulated Sugar, Cinnamon, Melted Butter: Create crispy, sweet cinnamon topping.
• Cream Cheese: Provides rich, tangy base for filling.
• Heavy Cream: Creates light, fluffy texture in filling.
• Maple Syrup: Adds distinct sweet maple flavor to cream cheese filling.

How to Make These Creamy-Filled Muffins

Step 1: Create Magical Muffin Batter

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

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

Whisk until smooth and well combined.

Step 2: Blend Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Baking soda
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground cloves
• Salt

Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture. Stir until just combined.

Step 3: Prepare Cinnamon Sugar Topping

• Granulated sugar
• Ground cinnamon
• Melted butter

Mix ingredients until they form a delightful crumbly texture.

Step 4: Fill and Top Muffin Cups

Grease muffin tin or use paper liners.

Fill each cup about 3/4 full with batter.

Sprinkle cinnamon sugar mixture on top of each muffin.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Place muffin tin in preheated oven.

Bake for 20-24 minutes.

Check doneness by gently pressing muffin tops- they should spring back.

Step 6: Craft Maple Cream Cheese Filling

Whip heavy cream until stiff peaks form.

Beat cream cheese until smooth.

Fold whipped cream into cream cheese.

Add maple syrup and blend until creamy.

Step 7: Fill Muffin Centers

Allow muffins to cool completely.

Use paring knife to create small cone in muffin center.

Transfer filling to piping bag.

Fill each muffin center generously.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

Serve muffins at room temperature or chilled.

Store in refrigerator if not consuming immediately.

Share with friends and family for maximum enjoyment!

Baking Tips for Pumpkin Muffins

• Prevent Overmixing: Stir the batter just until the dry ingredients are incorporated to keep the muffins tender and prevent a tough texture.
• Check Moisture Level: Use canned pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, to control the moisture and ensure perfect consistency.
• Master the Filling Technique: Cut a small cone from the muffin center and fill generously with maple cream cheese, creating a surprise burst of flavor in every bite.
• Optimize Baking Time: Test muffins for doneness by gently pressing the top—it should spring back when fully baked, indicating a perfect texture.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Toast the spices briefly before adding to the batter to intensify the warm, aromatic notes of cinnamon and cloves.

Reheat and Store Pumpkin Muffins

• Refrigeration: Store muffins in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Place a paper towel between layers to prevent sticking and absorb excess moisture.
• Freezing: Wrap individual muffins tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying.
• Reheating: Warm refrigerated or thawed muffins in the microwave for 15-20 seconds, or in a preheated oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes until heated through. The cream cheese filling will remain creamy and delicious.

What to Enjoy with Maple Cream Cheese Muffins

• Brew Perfect Coffee Companions: Pair these warm, spiced pumpkin muffins with a rich medium-roast Colombian coffee or a smooth caramel latte. The coffee's robust flavor complements the muffins' sweet and earthy pumpkin notes, creating a harmonious breakfast or afternoon treat.
• Craft Delightful Wine Matches: Select a sweet Riesling or a crisp Moscato to enhance the muffins' maple and cinnamon flavors. These light, fruity wines balance the rich cream cheese filling and provide a delicate contrast to the dense, spiced muffin texture.
• Create Seasonal Beverage Pairings: Enjoy these muffins with a warm apple cider or a spiced chai tea. The autumnal spices in the drink echo the cinnamon and clove in the muffins, creating a cozy, comforting flavor experience that celebrates fall's warmth and richness.
• Design Refreshing Milk Options: Serve alongside cold whole milk or a creamy almond milk to cut through the muffins' sweetness. The cool, smooth milk provides a refreshing counterpoint to the warm spices and rich maple cream cheese filling.

Variants of This Fall Favorite Muffin

• Nutty Pumpkin Delight: Replace half the flour with almond flour and fold in chopped pecans or walnuts for extra crunch and nutty flavor.
• Chocolate Swirl Version: Incorporate dark chocolate chips into the batter and drizzle melted chocolate over the maple cream cheese filling for a rich, decadent touch.
• Gluten-Free Pumpkin Treat: Swap regular flour with a gluten-free blend and use coconut oil instead of vegetable oil to create a celiac-friendly alternative.
• Spiced Autumn Option: Enhance the spice profile by adding ground ginger and a pinch of cardamom to the dry ingredients, creating a more complex and warming flavor experience.

Pumpkin Muffins with Maple Cream Cheese Filling Recipe

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4.7 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Seasonal pumpkin muffins embrace autumn’s warmth with a luscious maple cream cheese center. Fragrant spices and tender crumb invite comfort, promising delightful moments that connect you to harvest memories.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1.5 cups pumpkin puree
• 2 large eggs
• 1.75 cups all-purpose flour
• 0.5 cup vegetable oil

Sugars:

• 0.5 cup granulated sugar
• 0.5 cup packed light brown sugar
• 0.25 cup maple syrup

Spices and Dry Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1.5 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 0.25 teaspoon ground cloves
• 0.75 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cream Cheese Filling:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened
• 0.75 cup heavy cream

Cinnamon Sugar Topping:

• 0.5 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted

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Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 350°F and prepare a muffin tin with liners or grease.
2. Whisk vegetable oil, granulated sugar, and brown sugar in a large mixing bowl until smooth and integrated.
3. Incorporate pumpkin puree, vanilla extract, eggs, and milk into the sugar mixture, blending until just combined.
4. Separately, create a dry ingredient mixture by whisking flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and salt.
5. Gently fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients, mixing minimally to prevent overmixing and maintain a tender texture.
6. Fill muffin cavities approximately three-quarters full with prepared batter.
7. Create a crumbly cinnamon sugar topping by combining granulated sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter until texture becomes slightly sandy.
8. Generously dust the cinnamon sugar mixture over muffin surfaces.
9. Roast muffins in the preheated oven for 20-24 minutes, checking doneness by gently pressing the tops; they should spring back resiliently.
10. Whip heavy cream until stiff peaks form, creating a light and airy consistency.
11. In a separate bowl, cream the softened cream cheese until completely smooth.
12. Delicately fold whipped cream into cream cheese, then introduce maple syrup, beating until the filling becomes uniform and silky.
13. After cooling muffins completely, carefully carve a small cone from each muffin’s center using a paring knife.
14. Transfer maple cream cheese filling into a piping bag and generously fill each muffin’s cavity, ensuring a luxurious cream cheese layer is visible.
15. Serve immediately or refrigerate. Enjoy at room temperature or chilled for a delightful treat.

Notes

• Avoid overmixing the batter to keep the muffins tender and light, as stirring too much can develop gluten and create a tough texture.
• Ensure cream cheese is at room temperature for smooth blending and easier incorporation with whipped cream.
• Use fresh pumpkin puree or high-quality canned pumpkin for the most vibrant autumn flavor and best moisture.
• Create clean filling holes by using a small paring knife at a slight angle, removing a neat cone-shaped center from each muffin.
• Allow muffins to cool completely before filling to prevent the cream cheese from melting and losing its structural integrity.
• Store filled muffins in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days to maintain freshness and prevent cream cheese spoilage.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 24 g
• Sodium: 230 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg