Description

Starbucks Inspired Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins are moist, spiced pumpkin muffins with a creamy cheesecake-style filling. They’re cozy, flavorful, and perfect for fall breakfasts, snacks, or coffee breaks.

Ingredients

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

2 tsp pumpkin pie spice (or 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp nutmeg, 1/4 tsp ginger, 1/4 tsp cloves)

1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted) or vegetable oil

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 large eggs

1 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)

1 tsp vanilla extract

8 oz cream cheese (softened)

1/4 cup powdered sugar

Optional toppings: 1/4 cup chopped pecans, pepitas, or coarse sugar

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and pumpkin pie spice.
In a separate bowl, mix melted butter (or oil), granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, pumpkin puree, and vanilla until smooth.
Combine wet and dry ingredients, stirring just until incorporated. Do not overmix.
In another bowl, beat cream cheese with powdered sugar until smooth to make the filling.
Fill each muffin liner about 2/3 full with pumpkin batter. Add 1 spoonful of cream cheese filling on top. Swirl gently with a toothpick, or leave as a pocket.
Sprinkle optional toppings (pepitas, nuts, or sugar) on top.
Bake 18–22 minutes, or until muffins are set and a toothpick comes out clean (avoid cream cheese center when testing).
Cool slightly before serving warm or at room temperature.

Notes

For extra flavor, try a maple cream cheese filling.

Add chocolate chips to the pumpkin batter for a decadent variation.

Top with a streusel for added crunch.

Make mini muffins by reducing bake time to 10–12 minutes.

Homemade pumpkin puree works if strained to remove excess water.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Breakfast, Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 muffin
Calories: 280
Sugar: 24g
Sodium: 200mg
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Unsaturated Fat: 7g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 35g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 4g
Cholesterol: 55mg