Irresistible Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins Recipe to Try

Recipe By:
Melisa Egan
Updated:

There’s something about the smell of freshly baked Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins that just makes everything feel right in the world. Imagine biting into a warm muffin, the soft pumpkin cake yielding to a creamy, tangy center, while autumn spices dance around your taste buds. Seriously, if fall had a flavor, it would be this muffin—cozy, comforting, and downright delightful.

I remember the first time I made these muffins for a family gathering. As soon as they came out of the oven, my kitchen transformed into a mini pumpkin spice haven. Everyone was buzzing around me like bees to honey, eager to snag one of these golden delights before they disappeared. The joy on my family’s faces was priceless, and from that day on, these muffins have become our unofficial fall tradition.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • These Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins are easy to whip up and perfect for any occasion.
  • They’ll fill your home with irresistible aromas that no one can resist.
  • Their beautiful golden hue and cream cheese swirl make them visually stunning treats.
  • Enjoy them for breakfast or as an afternoon snack; they’re incredibly versatile!

My friends couldn’t get enough of how moist and flavorful these muffins turned out—definitely a crowd-pleaser.

Essential Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious dish:

  • All-Purpose Flour: This is your base; sift it well for light and fluffy muffins.

  • Pumpkin Puree: Use canned or homemade pumpkin puree; both bring rich flavor to the table.

  • Sugar: Granulated sugar sweetens the batter perfectly; you can also mix in brown sugar for depth.

  • Baking Powder and Baking Soda: These are essential for helping your muffins rise beautifully.

  • Spices (Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Cloves): A blend of these spices gives your muffins that warm autumn essence.

  • Eggs: One large egg binds everything together; it’s like the glue of your muffin magic.

  • Vegetable Oil: For moisture and tenderness; it keeps those muffins soft even after baking.

  • Cream Cheese: The star of the show! Make sure it’s softened so it swirls effortlessly into the batter.

  • Vanilla Extract: A splash enhances all those lovely flavors in your muffins.

  • Salt: Just a pinch balances out the sweetness perfectly.

The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.

Recipe preparation for Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

How to Make Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

Preheat Your Oven and Prepare Your Muffin Tin: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin tin with paper liners or grease them lightly with cooking spray.

Mix Your Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves until evenly combined. This ensures every bite has that lovely spice flavor.

Create Your Pumpkin Batter: In another bowl, combine pumpkin puree, sugar, eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Stir until smooth—watch how vibrant this mixture becomes!

Add Dry Ingredients to Wet Ingredients: Gently fold the dry mixture into the wet ingredients using a spatula. Be careful not to over-mix; we want fluffy muffins here!

Create Your Cream Cheese Mixture: In a separate bowl, beat softened cream cheese with sugar until creamy. You can add an egg if you want it extra rich—who doesn’t love more cream cheese?

Fill Muffin Cups: Spoon half of the pumpkin batter into each muffin cup. Then dollop some cream cheese mixture on top before adding more pumpkin batter to cover it up! Swirl gently with a toothpick for that eye-catching marble effect.

Bake to Perfection: Pop those beauties in the oven for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean from the muffin part (cream cheese might still be gooey!). Let them cool slightly before devouring.

These Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins will have your kitchen smelling like autumn bliss in no time! Enjoy every bite while sipping on a cozy cup of coffee or tea—it’s practically mandatory.

Content

Tip: Use fresh pumpkin puree for the best flavor. Freshly roasted pumpkin adds natural sweetness and a rich texture to your muffins. When I first tried this, I was amazed at how much better they tasted compared to canned puree.

Tip: Don’t overmix your batter; it leads to dense muffins. Mix just until combined for a light, fluffy texture. I learned this the hard way during my first baking attempt, resulting in muffins that could double as doorstops!

Tip: Add chocolate chips for a sweet surprise in every bite. A handful of semi-sweet chocolate chips pairs beautifully with pumpkin spice. My friends often joke that I put chocolate in everything, but it really elevates these muffins!

Perfecting the Cooking Process

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F while you mix the ingredients. Prepare your muffin tin by lining it with paper cups or greasing it well. This ensures even baking and easy removal later on.

Add Your Touch

Feel free to customize your Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins by adding nuts like walnuts or pecans for crunch. You could also swap out spices based on personal preference—nutmeg can add an interesting twist!

Storing & Reheating

Store leftover muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. For longer storage, freeze them individually wrapped; just pop them in the microwave or oven to reheat.

Chef's Helpful Tips

  • These Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins are truly delightful; add some spices like ginger or allspice for extra warmth.
  • Remember not to skip the cream cheese filling—it’s what makes them irresistible!

  • Baking is about enjoying the process, so don’t stress too much; have fun experimenting!

The first time I made these muffins, my friends declared them “life-changing.” Seeing their faces light up as they took their first bites was priceless and motivated me to perfect the recipe.

FAQ

Can I use canned pumpkin instead of fresh?

Absolutely! Canned pumpkin works well but may lack that homemade freshness.

How can I make these muffins gluten-free?

Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend for delicious results.

What’s the best way to serve Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins?

Serve warm with a pat of butter or cream cheese spread on top!

Print

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins are a delightful fall treat that blend soft pumpkin cake with a creamy, tangy center. These easy-to-make muffins fill your kitchen with warm aromas and are perfect for breakfast or an afternoon snack. With rich flavors from pumpkin puree and autumn spices, they have quickly become a seasonal favorite. Enjoy them fresh from the oven, and savor the cozy essence of autumn in every bite.

  • Author: Jennifer
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: About 12 muffins 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree (canned or homemade)
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp ground nutmeg
  • ¼ tsp ground cloves
  • 1 large egg
  • ⅓ cup vegetable oil
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with paper liners.
  2. In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices.
  3. In another bowl, mix pumpkin puree, sugar, egg, vegetable oil, and vanilla until smooth.
  4. Gently fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined.
  5. In a separate bowl, beat cream cheese with sugar until creamy.
  6. Fill muffin cups halfway with batter, add dollops of cream cheese mixture, then top with remaining batter and swirl gently.
  7. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean from the muffin part.
  8. Let cool before enjoying!

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 muffin (70g)
  • Calories: 210
  • Sugar: 10g
  • Sodium: 150mg
  • Fat: 10g
  • Saturated Fat: 2g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 29g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 3g
  • Cholesterol: 30mg

Keywords: For extra flavor, consider adding chocolate chips or nuts like walnuts or pecans. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to three days or freeze individually for longer storage.

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