Description

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins are a warm, cozy, and fluffy treat featuring a tender pumpkin-flavored base with a creamy, tangy cream cheese swirl. Perfect for fall gatherings, breakfast, or anytime indulgence, these muffins combine seasonal spices with a rich, moist texture that delights every bite.

Ingredients

Scale

Pumpkin Muffin Batter

1 ½ cups pumpkin puree
2 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend)
1 cup sugar (or substitute part with maple syrup or honey)
½ cup melted butter or oil
2 large eggs at room temperature
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cream Cheese Filling

8 oz cream cheese, softened (or mascarpone/ricotta as substitute)
¼ cup sugar
1 large egg
½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling: Start by mixing softened cream cheese, sugar, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. This filling will add a luscious swirl inside the muffins.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves to evenly distribute all the flavors throughout the batter.
Combine Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, blend pumpkin puree, sugar, melted butter or oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until fully integrated to create a moist and flavorful base.
Fold Dry into Wet Mixture: Carefully fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the batter, which helps keep the muffins tender.
Assemble Muffins: Fill muffin cups halfway with the pumpkin batter, add a spoonful of cream cheese filling in the center, then top with more pumpkin batter to cover the filling.
Bake to Perfection: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20 to 25 minutes until the muffins are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the pumpkin part (avoiding cream cheese) comes out clean.

Notes

Use room temperature cream cheese and eggs for smoother mixing and better texture.
Mix batter just until combined to prevent dense muffins.
Layer cream cheese filling gently to avoid it sinking to the bottom.
Start testing doneness at 20 minutes to avoid overbaking.
Use freshly ground spices for optimum flavor.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 muffin
Calories: 280
Sugar: 18g
Sodium: 210mg
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Unsaturated Fat: 6g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 32g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 5g
Cholesterol: 55mg

Keywords: pumpkin, cream cheese, muffins, fall recipe, pumpkin spice, autumn treat, breakfast, dessert, gluten-free option