The Sweet Harmony: Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins Recipe

Autumn whispers comfort through these delectable pumpkin cream cheese muffins that perfectly balance warm spices with creamy richness.

Soft, tender crumbs embrace a luxurious cream cheese center that melts in your mouth.

Fragrant cinnamon and nutmeg dance alongside pure pumpkin puree, creating an irresistible seasonal treat.

Each bite promises a delightful blend of sweet and tangy flavors that capture fall’s essence.

These muffins transform a simple breakfast or afternoon snack into a moment of pure indulgence.

The subtle swirl of cream cheese adds an elegant touch to these rustic, homemade delights.

Why Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins Work

• Burst with Seasonal Flavor: Capture the essence of autumn with rich pumpkin spices and warm, comforting ingredients that dance on your taste buds.
• Foolproof Baking Experience: Designed for bakers of all skill levels, this recipe provides clear steps and simple techniques that guarantee delicious results every single bake.
• Crowd-Pleasing Crowd-Stopper: Delivers a perfect balance of moist pumpkin muffins with a surprising cream cheese center that will impress family, friends, and unexpected guests.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Easily prepare these muffins in advance and store in the refrigerator, making them an ideal option for busy mornings, breakfast gatherings, or quick snacks.

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins Ingredient List

• All-Purpose Flour: Classic baking staple with soft texture.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Helpful rising agents for fluffy muffins.
• Salt: Essential flavor enhancer.
• Ground Cinnamon, Pumpkin Pie Spice, Ground Nutmeg: Warm and cozy spice blend.

• Pumpkin Puree: Rich and smooth autumn favorite.
• Unsalted Butter: Creamy base for moist muffins.
• Brown Sugar: Sweet with deep caramel notes.
• Large Egg: Binding ingredient for structure.
• Pure Vanilla Extract: Aromatic flavor booster.
• Buttermilk, Sour Cream: Tangy moisture providers.

• Cream Cheese: Smooth and rich dairy delight.
• White Granulated Sugar: Classic sweetener.
• All-Purpose Flour: Thickening agent.
• Milk: Creamy liquid component.
• Pure Vanilla Extract: Flavor enhancer.

• Coarse Sugar: Crunchy sweet sprinkle.

Baking Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

Step 1: Prepare Dry Ingredients

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

Gently pat the pumpkin puree with paper towels to remove excess moisture, repeating this process about four times.

Step 2: Mix Wet Ingredients

• Melted unsalted butter
• Pumpkin puree
• Brown sugar
• Large egg
• Pure vanilla extract
• Buttermilk
• Sour cream

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture, stirring until just combined.

Step 3: Create Cream Cheese Filling

• Cream cheese
• White granulated sugar
• All-purpose flour
• Milk
• Pure vanilla extract

Beat on high speed until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.

Step 4: Prepare for Baking

Preheat the oven to 425°F.

Line a 12-cup muffin pan with 6 muffin liners, spacing them out to encourage better rising.

Step 5: Fill Muffin Liners

Scoop the batter into the liners using a large cookie scoop.

Transfer the cream cheese filling into a piping bag and carefully squeeze a dollop into the center of each muffin.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Sprinkle coarse sugar on top of the muffins.

Bake at 425°F for 8 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 350°F and continue baking for 6-8 minutes.

Check doneness with a toothpick inserted into the center.

Step 7: Cool and Store

Allow muffins to rest in the hot pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.

Once completely cooled, store in the refrigerator.

These muffins are most delicious when served chilled.

Tips For Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

• Press paper towels multiple times on pumpkin puree to remove excess moisture, ensuring muffins don't become soggy and maintain perfect texture.
• Separate muffin liners in the pan to allow better rising and create beautifully tall, fluffy muffins with excellent shape.
• Start baking at high temperature (425℉) for initial rise, then reduce to 350℉ to complete baking without burning, creating perfectly golden muffins.
• Let muffins cool completely and store in refrigerator, as they taste best when cold and the cream cheese filling sets nicely.
• Mix wet and dry ingredients just until combined to prevent tough muffins, maintaining a tender and soft crumb.

Saving Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

• Store muffins in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Wrap each muffin individually in plastic wrap to maintain moisture and prevent drying out.
• Place muffins in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag. They'll stay fresh for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying.
• Warm refrigerated muffins in the microwave for 15-20 seconds. For frozen muffins, microwave for 30-45 seconds until heated through. Always check the temperature to prevent overheating.
• Let muffins come to room temperature before serving for the best texture and flavor. Avoid leaving them at room temperature for more than 2 hours to prevent bacterial growth.

What To Eat With Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

• Pair with Warm Spiced Chai: Brew a rich, aromatic chai tea that complements the pumpkin's warmth and spices, enhancing the muffins' cozy autumn flavor profile.
• Serve with Maple Bourbon Cream: Whip a luxurious maple bourbon cream as a decadent side that adds a sophisticated boozy touch to the sweet muffin experience.
• Match with Caramel Apple Cider: Pour a crisp, warm caramel apple cider that echoes the muffin's seasonal notes and provides a refreshing contrast to the creamy texture.
• Complement with Vanilla Bean Latte: Create a smooth vanilla bean latte that balances the muffin's rich spices and provides a creamy, comforting beverage pairing.

Muffin Style Twists For Pumpkin Cream Cheese

• Gluten-Free Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins: Replace all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend, ensuring the same soft texture and flavor for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Vegan Pumpkin Spice Muffins: Swap eggs with flax eggs, use plant-based butter, coconut cream instead of sour cream, and dairy-free cream cheese for a completely plant-based version.
• Keto-Friendly Pumpkin Muffins: Substitute flour with almond or coconut flour, use sugar-free sweetener, and adjust cream cheese filling to be low-carb compatible with sugar alternatives.
• Nut-Free Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins: Ensure all ingredients are nut-free, perfect for those with nut allergies while maintaining the original recipe's delicious autumn flavor profile.

FAQs

• What makes the cream cheese filling so smooth and creamy?

The key is using a hand mixer to beat the cream cheese, sugar, flour, milk, and vanilla on high speed. This method ensures all ingredients are fully incorporated and creates a smooth, lump-free filling that perfectly complements the pumpkin muffin.

• Why start baking at a high temperature of 425℉ and then reduce to 350℉?

This technique helps create a dramatic rise in the muffins, giving them a beautiful, tall shape with a crisp exterior. The initial high heat causes quick steam and rising, while the lower temperature ensures the inside bakes evenly without burning the outside.

• How do I prevent my muffins from being too dense or soggy?

By pressing a paper towel on the pumpkin puree multiple times, you remove excess moisture. This step is crucial for preventing dense, wet muffins and ensures a light, fluffy texture that’s perfectly moist but not soggy.

• Why spread out the muffin liners in the pan?

Separating the muffin liners allows more air circulation between each muffin. This technique helps them rise higher and more evenly, creating a better overall shape and texture for your pumpkin cream cheese muffins.

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins Recipe

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4.6 from 13 reviews

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

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Description

Seasonal spice meets creamy indulgence in these delectable pumpkin cream cheese muffins, blending warm autumn flavors with rich, tangy filling. Sweet meets savory in a single bite that welcomes cool mornings and cozy kitchen memories you’ll cherish.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 15 ounces (425 grams) Pumpkin puree
• 2 cups All-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup Brown sugar
• 1/2 cup Unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup Buttermilk
• 1 Large egg

Spices and Seasonings:

• 2 teaspoons Baking powder
• 2 teaspoons Ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon Baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt
• 1 teaspoon Pumpkin pie spice
• 1/4 teaspoon Ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon Pure vanilla extract

Additional Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup Sour cream
• Coarse sugar
• 1/4 cup Coarse sugar (like sugar in the raw)

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Instructions

1. Prepare dry ingredients by combining flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and nutmeg in a large mixing bowl. Carefully drain excess moisture from pumpkin puree by gently pressing paper towels multiple times.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together melted butter, pumpkin puree, brown sugar, egg, vanilla extract, sour cream, and buttermilk until smooth and well-integrated.
3. Gently fold wet ingredients into dry mixture, stirring until just combined to maintain a light, tender texture. Avoid overmixing to prevent dense muffins.
4. Preheat oven to 425℉ and arrange muffin liners strategically in the pan, allowing space for optimal rising.
5. Create cream cheese filling by blending cream cheese, sugar, flour, milk, and vanilla extract until silky and uniform using a hand mixer.
6. Transfer cream cheese mixture to a piping bag, then carefully inject a dollop into the center of each muffin batter-filled liner.
7. Sprinkle coarse sugar generously across muffin tops for added texture and sweetness.
8. Bake initially at 425℉ for 8 minutes, then reduce temperature to 350℉ and continue baking for 6-8 minutes until a toothpick emerges clean.
9. Allow muffins to rest in the hot pan for 10 minutes, promoting even cooling and preventing structural collapse.
10. Transfer to a cooling rack and let completely cool before refrigerating. Note that these muffins are most delectable when served chilled.

Notes

• Drain pumpkin puree thoroughly to prevent soggy muffins and ensure a perfectly fluffy texture.
• Use room temperature ingredients like eggs and cream cheese for smoother mixing and better incorporation.
• Avoid overmixing batter to keep muffins tender and prevent tough, dense results.
• Sprinkle coarse sugar just before baking to maintain its crisp, sparkling texture on top of muffins.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 260
• Sugar: 14 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg