Cream Cheese Pumpkin Muffins: The Ultimate Fall Comfort Recipe

As autumn rolls around, nothing beats the comfort of warm baked goods, especially when it involves the combination of pumpkin and cream cheese. Enter Cream Cheese Pumpkin Muffins—a delightful treat that blends the rich flavor of spiced pumpkin with the creamy goodness of a sweetened cream cheese filling. Whether you’re looking for a quick breakfast or a cozy dessert, these muffins are the perfect choice to satisfy your cravings.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step process to bake these muffins, share useful tips, and discuss their nutritional benefits. We’ll also answer some frequently asked questions so you can make the most of this mouthwatering recipe.

Why You’ll Love These Cream Cheese Pumpkin Muffins

• Easy to make: This recipe comes together with simple ingredients, many of which you probably already have in your pantry.
• Versatile treat: Enjoy them as a breakfast muffin, a snack with your afternoon coffee, or a dessert after dinner.
• Bursting with fall flavors: From pumpkin puree to warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, these muffins embody everything we love about autumn.
• Creamy surprise inside: The cream cheese filling adds a luscious texture and makes each bite extra indulgent.

Ready to start baking? Let’s get into the ingredients!

Ingredients for Cream Cheese Pumpkin Muffins

Here’s a list of ingredients you’ll need for the pumpkin muffin batter, cream cheese filling, and optional topping. Don’t worry if you’re not a seasoned baker—this recipe is beginner-friendly!

Pumpkin Muffins Ingredients:

• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup packed brown sugar
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup canned pumpkin puree (unsweetened)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cream Cheese Filling Ingredients:

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg yolk
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional Topping:

• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Step-by-Step Directions for Cream Cheese Pumpkin Muffins

1. Preheat the Oven:

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or lightly grease the muffin cups. This ensures easy removal once your muffins are done baking.

2. Make the Cream Cheese Filling:

In a medium mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Set the mixture aside while you prepare the muffin batter.

3. Prepare the Dry Ingredients:

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. These spices are essential to bring out the pumpkin flavor and give the muffins that signature fall taste.

4. Combine the Wet Ingredients:

In a separate bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, pumpkin puree, and vanilla extract until smooth. The pumpkin puree adds moisture, making the muffins incredibly soft and tender.

5. Mix the Dry and Wet Ingredients:

Gradually add the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir just until everything is combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in dense muffins.

6. Assemble the Muffins:

Fill each muffin cup about two-thirds full with the pumpkin batter. Next, drop about 1 tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture into the center of each cup. If you’re adding the cinnamon-sugar topping, mix the brown sugar and cinnamon together and sprinkle it over the tops of the muffins.

7. Bake the Muffins:

Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the muffin (not the cream cheese center) comes out clean. Let the muffins cool in the tin for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

8. Serve and Enjoy:

These Cream Cheese Pumpkin Muffins can be enjoyed warm or at room temperature. They’re incredibly delicious on their own but also pair wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee or tea.

Tips for Making the Best Cream Cheese Pumpkin Muffins

1. Don’t Overmix the Batter:

When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix until just combined. Overmixing can lead to tough, dense muffins instead of the light and fluffy texture we want.

2. Room Temperature Cream Cheese:

For the cream cheese filling to be smooth and creamy, make sure your cream cheese is softened to room temperature before mixing. Cold cream cheese can result in lumps in the filling.

3. Use High-Quality Spices:

Spices are key to making these muffins taste like fall. Using fresh, high-quality cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves will enhance the flavor and aroma of your muffins.

4. Store Properly:

To keep your muffins fresh, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months—just thaw them in the fridge overnight before serving.

Nutritional Information & Health Benefits of Cream Cheese Pumpkin Muffins

While these muffins are certainly a treat, they do have some health benefits, thanks to the pumpkin puree. Pumpkin is rich in fiber and vitamin A, making these muffins a slightly healthier option than your average dessert.

Nutritional Breakdown (Per Muffin):

• Calories: 290
• Carbohydrates: 35g
• Protein: 4g
• Fat: 16g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Cholesterol: 55mg
• Sodium: 220mg
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 23g
• Vitamin A: 4200 IU
• Calcium: 50mg
• Iron: 1.3mg

Health Benefits of Key Ingredients

1. Pumpkin:

Pumpkin is a powerhouse of nutrients. It’s loaded with vitamin A, which is essential for eye health, and fiber, which helps with digestion. Plus, its natural sweetness allows you to use less sugar in the recipe.

2. Spices:

Cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves not only add warmth and depth of flavor but also have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These spices can help boost your metabolism and support overall wellness.

FAQs

Final Thoughts: A Must-Try Recipe for Fall

Cream Cheese Pumpkin Muffins are the ultimate fall treat that everyone will love. With their moist, spiced pumpkin batter and creamy center, they’re bound to become a seasonal favorite. Whether you’re serving them at a family brunch, packing them in your lunchbox, or simply enjoying them with your morning coffee, these muffins are sure to impress. So why not try them today? Your kitchen will smell like fall in no time!

More Relevant Recipes

• Banana Zucchini Muffins
• Chewy Brown Butter Maple Pumpkin Cookies
• Pumpkin Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting
• Banana Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting
• Pumpkin Pie Cake

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