Fall is synonymous with all things pumpkin, and one of the most beloved seasonal treats is the Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin from Starbucks. These muffins combine the warm, spiced flavors of pumpkin with a rich, creamy surprise in the center that makes them absolutely irresistible. Now, you can recreate these delicious muffins at home with this easy-to-follow recipe. Perfect for breakfast, a mid-morning snack, or a cozy treat to enjoy with a cup of coffee, these muffins are sure to become a fall favorite in your household.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These Starbucks-inspired Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins are everything you love about the original but even better because they’re homemade. They’re moist and tender, with just the right amount of spice from the pumpkin pie seasoning, and the cream cheese filling in the center adds a decadent touch that makes each bite a delightful experience. The best part? You can enjoy them fresh out of the oven, warm and fragrant, in the comfort of your own home.
This recipe is also straightforward and uses simple ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry, making it a perfect baking project for a cozy fall day. Plus, they’re a great way to use up any leftover pumpkin puree from other autumn baking adventures.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To make these delicious muffins, you’ll need the following ingredients:
For the Pumpkin Muffins:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour: Provides the structure for the muffins.
- ¾ cup granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender crumb.
- 1 teaspoon baking powder: Helps the muffins rise.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: Also helps the muffins rise and creates a light texture.
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice: Adds warmth and a perfect blend of fall flavors.
- ¼ teaspoon salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the muffins.
- 1 ½ cups pumpkin puree: Gives the muffins their beautiful orange color and moist texture.
- 1 egg: Binds the ingredients together.
- ¼ cup melted butter: Adds richness and moisture.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances the flavor and aroma.
For the Cream Cheese Filling:
- 4 oz cream cheese, at room temperature: Creates a creamy, tangy filling.
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar: Adds a touch of sweetness to the filling.
- 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour: Helps thicken the filling slightly.
- 1 teaspoon milk: Loosens the filling to make it easier to pipe.
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract: Adds flavor to the filling.
How to Make Starbucks-Inspired Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins
Follow these simple steps to create your own batch of these delicious muffins:
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray or line it with paper liners to prevent sticking.
Step 2: Prepare the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. Stir until all the dry ingredients are well combined. This step ensures that the leavening agents and spices are evenly distributed throughout the flour.
Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, egg, melted (and cooled) butter, and vanilla extract until smooth. Make sure the butter is not too hot, as it could scramble the egg.
Step 4: Combine the Wet and Dry Ingredients
Add the wet ingredients to the bowl with the dry ingredients. Using a rubber spatula or wooden spoon, gently mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in dense muffins. The batter should be thick and slightly lumpy.
Step 5: Prepare the Muffin Tin
Scoop the batter into the prepared muffin tin, filling each cup about ¾ full. This will give the muffins room to rise without overflowing.
Step 6: Make the Cream Cheese Filling
In a small bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. The filling should be thick but spreadable. Transfer the cream cheese mixture to a piping bag or a zip-top bag with a small corner cut off.
Step 7: Fill the Muffins with Cream Cheese
Insert the tip of the piping bag into the center of each muffin and squeeze about 1 tablespoon of cream cheese filling into the batter. You should see a small amount of cream cheese peeking out at the top of the muffin.
Step 8: Bake the Muffins
Bake the muffins in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the part of the muffin without filling comes out clean. The muffins should be golden brown on top and slightly springy to the touch.
Step 9: Cool and Serve
Remove the muffin tin from the oven and let the muffins cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. Enjoy them warm or at room temperature!
Kitchen Equipment Needed
- Muffin tin: For baking the muffins.
- Large mixing bowl: For the dry ingredients.
- Medium mixing bowl: For the wet ingredients.
- Whisk and spatula: For mixing the ingredients.
- Piping bag or zip-top bag: For filling the muffins with cream cheese.
- Measuring cups and spoons: For accurately measuring ingredients.
- Wire cooling rack: For cooling the muffins.
