Imagine sinking your teeth into a warm, moist pumpkin muffin filled with the perfect balance of fall spices, and then reaching a soft, creamy center of luscious cream cheese. These spiced pumpkin cream cheese muffins bring together the best flavors of the season, combining the comforting richness of pumpkin and the sweetness of brown sugar with the indulgence of a velvety cream cheese filling. The muffins are fluffy, moist, and full of warmth, making them a perfect treat to cozy up with during the cooler months. Each bite is a delicious experience that will remind you of all the things you love about autumn.
Why You'll Love This Recipe: You’ll love this recipe for its combination of rich, autumnal flavors and its simplicity. These muffins are wonderfully spiced with pumpkin spice, giving them that familiar, warming flavor we crave in the fall. The cream cheese filling adds a delightful surprise in the center, bringing a tangy, creamy contrast to the sweet and spiced muffin base. This recipe is perfect for anyone who wants a cozy dessert or snack that looks and tastes impressive but doesn’t take hours to make. Plus, the moistness of the pumpkin ensures that these muffins stay tender for days (if they even last that long!).
Perfect Occasion: These pumpkin cream cheese muffins are ideal for any fall gathering. Whether you’re hosting a brunch, baking for Halloween, celebrating Thanksgiving, or just need a snack to pair with your morning coffee, these muffins fit the bill perfectly. They’re also wonderful as a sweet afternoon treat or even a grab-and-go breakfast. Their festive orange hue and creamy surprise center make them perfect for bringing to a potluck or gifting to friends and family during the holiday season.
Decoration Tips: While these muffins are beautiful enough with their cream cheese swirls on top, you can elevate their look with a few extra touches. Try adding a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar or even pumpkin seeds to the tops of the muffins before baking for added texture and visual appeal. A dusting of powdered sugar after baking will give them a refined, bakery-style finish. If you’re feeling creative, drizzle a bit of caramel sauce or a light glaze over the top for extra indulgence. Serve them on a rustic wooden board or in a basket lined with a festive napkin to emphasize the cozy, autumnal vibe.
Ingredients for the Muffins:
- 220 grams all-purpose flour
- 100 grams granulated sugar
- 90 grams brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- Pinch of salt
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin spice
- 350 grams pumpkin puree
- 120 milliliters vegetable oil (use a neutral oil)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions for the Muffins:
- Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F) and line a muffin tin with 12 muffin liners.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, pumpkin puree, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Whisk these ingredients together until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin spice. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, gently folding everything together until just combined. Be careful not to overmix to keep your muffins light and fluffy.
- Evenly distribute the muffin batter into the prepared muffin liners, filling each liner about two-thirds full.
Ingredients for the Cream Cheese Filling:
- 100 grams cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 20 grams granulated sugar
- 8 grams all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions for the Cream Cheese Filling:
- In a small bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sugar, flour, milk, and vanilla extract. Stir until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Once the muffin batter is ready in the liners, spoon a small amount of the cream cheese filling onto the center of each muffin, pressing it slightly into the batter.
Baking:
- Bake the muffins in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes, or until the tops are golden and a toothpick inserted into the muffin (away from the cream cheese center) comes out clean.
- Allow the muffins to cool in the tin for about 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Enjoy these comforting pumpkin cream cheese muffins as they bring together the best flavors of fall in every creamy, spiced bite!