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- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour - 1 teaspoon baking powder - 1 teaspoon baking soda - ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon - ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg - ¼ teaspoon ground ginger - ½ teaspoon salt - 1 cup canned pumpkin puree - ¾ cup granulated sugar - ½ cup packed brown sugar - 2 large eggs - ⅓ cup vegetable oil - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - 4 oz cream cheese, softened - 2 tablespoons powdered sugar To create my delicious Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins, you need a mix of dry and wet ingredients. The dry ingredients include flour, baking powder, baking soda, and warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. These spices add that cozy fall flavor we all love. In the wet ingredients, the star is canned pumpkin puree. It gives moisture and richness to the muffins. You will also mix in granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, oil, and vanilla extract. This blend creates a sweet and smooth batter. For the cream cheese filling, you simply need softened cream cheese and some powdered sugar. This mixture adds a lovely surprise to each bite. Gather these ingredients, and you are ready to make muffins that are both fluffy and full of flavor! {{ingredient_image_2}} - Set oven temperature to 375°F (190°C) - Prepare muffin tin with liners or grease To start, you need to preheat your oven. This step is key for even baking. While your oven heats up, prepare your muffin tin. You can use paper liners or grease the cups lightly. This helps the muffins come out easily. - Blend all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, spices, and salt Next, grab a large mixing bowl. In this bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients. Combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt. Mixing these well ensures your muffins rise and taste great. - Combine pumpkin puree, sugars, eggs, oil, and vanilla until smooth Now, turn to a medium bowl. In this bowl, mix the wet ingredients. Add the pumpkin puree, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Whisk them until the mixture is smooth and creamy. This step adds moisture and flavor to your muffins. - Gently mix wet into dry ingredients, avoiding overmixing Carefully pour the wet mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Use a spatula or wooden spoon to stir. Mix until just combined. Be gentle! Overmixing can make your muffins tough instead of fluffy. - Beat cream cheese with powdered sugar until smooth In a small bowl, beat the softened cream cheese. Add the powdered sugar and mix until smooth. This creamy filling adds a delightful surprise to your muffins. - Layer batter and cream cheese filling in muffin cups Now, it’s time to fill the muffin tin. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of batter into each cup. Then, add about 1 teaspoon of the cream cheese filling on top. Finally, top it off with another tablespoon of batter to cover the cream cheese. - Bake for 18-20 minutes and cool before serving Place your muffin tin in the oven. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes. To check if they are done, insert a toothpick in the center. It should come out clean or with few crumbs. Once baked, cool the muffins in the tin for about 5 minutes. Then, move them to a wire rack to cool completely. - Check for doneness with a toothpick: Insert a toothpick into the center of a muffin. It should come out clean or with a few crumbs. This tells you they are done. - Avoid overmixing for fluffy muffins: Mix until just combined. If you stir too much, the muffins can become dense. Remember, lumps are okay! - Dust with cinnamon sugar before serving: Mix sugar with cinnamon and sprinkle over muffins. This adds a sweet touch and looks nice. - Use decorative pumpkins for autumnal displays: Arrange small pumpkins around your muffins. They make for a great fall centerpiece. - Serve warm with butter or cream cheese: The muffins taste great fresh out of the oven. Spread a little butter or cream cheese for extra flavor. - Pair with coffee or tea for a delightful snack: Enjoy these muffins with your favorite warm drink. The flavors blend perfectly for a cozy treat. Pro Tips Use Fresh Spices: Ground spices can lose their potency over time. For the best flavor, use fresh spices or toast whole spices before grinding them. Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your cream cheese and eggs are at room temperature for a smoother batter and better incorporation. Don’t Overmix: Mix the batter just until combined to keep the muffins tender. Overmixing can lead to dense muffins. Check for Doneness: Always check your muffins a minute or two before the suggested baking time. Ovens can vary, and you want to avoid overbaking. {{image_4}} You can make your pumpkin cream cheese muffins even better by adding nuts or chocolate. Try mixing in some chopped walnuts or pecans. These add a crunchy texture and nutty flavor. You can also use chocolate chips for a sweet surprise in every bite. Just stir them into the batter before you fill the muffin cups. Want to change the flavor? Add different spices! Cardamom brings a warm taste, while cloves add a hint of sweetness. Just a small amount can make a big difference. Feel free to play with the spice amounts to find your favorite mix. If you want a healthier muffin, swap out some ingredients. Use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour. This gives a denser texture and more fiber. You can also use coconut sugar in place of regular sugar. It has a lower glycemic index and adds a nice caramel flavor. These simple swaps make it easy to enjoy a tasty treat while keeping it healthier. You can store these muffins in an airtight container. They will stay fresh for up to 3 days. If you leave them out, make sure they are covered well. This keeps them soft and moist. For longer storage, refrigerate the muffins. They can last for about 1 week in the fridge. Just place them in a container that seals tightly. This helps to keep their flavor and texture. If you want to save them for later, freezing is a great option. Freeze the muffins in freezer-safe bags. They can stay good for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat them, just thaw them at room temperature or warm them in the oven. Enjoy your pumpkin cream cheese muffins anytime! Yes, you can easily make these muffins dairy-free. Use a dairy-free cream cheese instead of regular cream cheese. There are many good options available, and they work well in this recipe. To make these muffins gluten-free, simply swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend. Make sure to choose a blend that includes xanthan gum to help with texture. If you don’t have canned pumpkin, you can use homemade pumpkin puree. You can also use butternut squash puree as a tasty alternative. Both options maintain the flavor and texture. Absolutely! Adding frosting can bring a sweet touch to your muffins. A simple cream cheese frosting can enhance the flavor and make them even more delicious. These pumpkin muffins are easy to make and full of flavor. We covered the simple dry and wet ingredients, then created a cream cheese filling. Next, I shared step-by-step instructions to help you bake them perfectly. Don’t forget the tips on presentations and variations to make them your own. Enjoy these muffins warm, or try them in different ways. Now, you have everything you need to create a tasty treat that everyone will love. Get baking today!

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

Deliciously moist muffins filled with a creamy pumpkin and cream cheese mixture, perfect for autumn.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 200 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 0.25 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 0.25 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
  • 0.75 cup granulated sugar
  • 0.5 cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 0.33 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 2 tablespoons powdered sugar (for the cream cheese filling)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare a muffin tin by lining it with paper liners or lightly greasing it with cooking spray or butter.
  • Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, use a whisk to blend together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt until they are evenly incorporated.
  • Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate medium-sized bowl, combine the canned pumpkin puree, granulated sugar, packed brown sugar, eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Whisk these ingredients vigorously until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
  • Combine Mixtures: Carefully pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture. Using a spatula or wooden spoon, gently stir until just combined – take care not to overmix, as this can affect the texture of the muffins.
  • Prepare Cream Cheese Filling: In a small bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with the powdered sugar until it achieves a smooth and creamy consistency, ensuring there are no lumps.
  • Fill Muffin Tin: Spoon approximately 2 tablespoons of the muffin batter into each cup of the prepared muffin tin. Follow this with about 1 teaspoon of the cream cheese filling, and then top with another tablespoon of batter, ensuring the cream cheese is fully covered.
  • Bake: Place the muffin tin into the preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes. The muffins are done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs clinging to it.
  • Cool: Once baked, remove the muffin tin from the oven and let the muffins cool in the tin for about 5 minutes. Afterwards, carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

For an inviting presentation, serve the muffins warm with a light dusting of cinnamon sugar on top. Add a small decorative pumpkin alongside the muffins for a charming autumnal touch. Enjoy your delightful treats!
Keyword cream cheese, muffins, pumpkin