As the leaves begin to change and the air turns crisp, there’s nothing quite like the aroma of freshly baked muffins wafting through the kitchen. Today, I’m excited to share my secret to making incredible bakery-style pumpkin cream cheese muffins that are perfect for fall treats and brunch gatherings. These muffins are not only delicious but also incredibly easy to whip up, making them a fantastic addition to your collection of easy pasta recipes and quick family dinners. So, let’s dive into this delightful recipe!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Moist and fluffy texture that rivals your favorite bakery.
- Rich cream cheese filling that adds a delightful surprise.
- Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet afternoon snack.
- Easy to make with simple ingredients you likely have on hand.
- Great for sharing with family and friends during the fall season.
Ingredients
To create these scrumptious muffins, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for filling)
Full ingredient list with measurements is provided in the printable recipe card below.
How to Make the Recipe
Now, let’s get baking! Follow these simple steps to create your own batch of pumpkin cream cheese muffins:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, melted butter, pumpkin puree, eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Do not overmix.
- In another small bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy for the filling.
- Fill each muffin liner about halfway with pumpkin batter.
- Spoon about 1-2 tablespoons of the cream cheese filling into the center of each muffin.
- Top with the remaining pumpkin batter, covering the cream cheese filling.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the pumpkin muffin (avoiding the cream cheese center) comes out clean.
- Let the muffins cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
Here are some of my favorite tips to ensure your muffins turn out perfectly every time:
- Make sure your ingredients are at room temperature for better mixing.
- Don’t overmix the batter; it’s okay if there are a few lumps!
- For an extra touch, sprinkle some cinnamon sugar on top before baking.
- Feel free to add nuts or chocolate chips for added texture and flavor.
- Use fresh pumpkin puree for the best taste, but canned works just fine too!
How to Serve
These muffins are delightful on their own, but you can elevate your serving game by:
- Pairing them with a warm cup of coffee or tea.
- Serving them alongside a light salad for a brunch spread.
- Drizzling a little maple syrup on top for added sweetness.
- Offering them as a sweet treat at your next gathering or potluck.
Make Ahead and Storage
If you want to enjoy these muffins throughout the week, here are some storage tips:
- Store cooled muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- For longer storage, freeze the muffins in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.
- To reheat, simply pop them in the microwave for a few seconds or warm them in the oven.
These bakery-style pumpkin muffins are sure to become a favorite in your home, just like my other go-to recipes for 30-minute meals and weeknight dinner ideas. I hope you enjoy making and sharing them as much as I do! For more delicious recipes, check out my Fall Baking Recipes and discover the joy of baking this season!
Unleash 1 Incredible Bakery-Style Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin Secret
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a muffin pan with liners.
- Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl; whisk wet ingredients in a separate bowl.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients; beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla for filling.
- Fill muffin liners halfway with batter, add cream cheese filling, then top with remaining batter.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes; cool before serving.