Cream Cheese-Stuffed Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Muffins

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Cream Cheese-Stuffed Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Muffins

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These Cream Cheese-Stuffed Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Muffins are the ultimate fall treat. They combine a moist, warmly spiced pumpkin muffin base with a decadent ribbon of sweetened cream cheese and a crunchy, irresistible cinnamon sugar topping. One bite reveals a beautiful contrast in texture and flavor, making them perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a cozy afternoon snack.

The secret to these muffins is the balance. The pumpkin batter is deeply flavorful with cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger. It’s lightened by the richness of the cream cheese, which is sweetened just enough to complement the pumpkin without overpowering it. Finally, the cinnamon sugar topping adds a satisfying crunch that elevates the entire muffin.

This recipe is straightforward and yields bakery-quality results right from your own kitchen. Whether you are an experienced baker or just starting out, you’ll find these muffins a joy to make and even more delightful to eat.

Why You’ll Love These Muffins

  • Perfectly Spiced: A rich blend of pumpkin pie spices creates a deep, comforting autumn flavor.

  • Surprise Center: A sweet and tangy cream cheese filling is hidden inside every muffin.

  • Crunchy Topping: The cinnamon sugar streusel adds a fantastic texture.

  • Moist and Tender: The pumpkin and oil ensure a moist crumb that stays fresh for days.

Equipment Needed

  • Standard 12-cup muffin tin

  • Paper muffin liners

  • Large mixing bowl

  • Medium mixing bowl

  • Whisk

  • Rubber spatula

  • Small bowl for streusel

  • Piping bag or Ziploc bag (for filling)

Ingredients

To make these muffins, you will need the following ingredients, organized by component:

For the Cream Cheese Filling

  • 8 oz (226g) full-fat cream cheese, softened to room temperature

  • 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar

  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Cinnamon Sugar Topping

  • 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar

  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon

  • 2 Tbsp (28g) unsalted butter, melted

For the Pumpkin Muffins

  • 1 3/4 cups (218g) all-purpose flour

  • 1 tsp baking soda

  • 1/2 tsp salt

  • 1 Tbsp pumpkin pie spice (or 1 ½ tsp cinnamon + ½ tsp nutmeg + ¼ tsp allspice + ¼ tsp cloves)

  • 1 cup (245g) pumpkin puree (canned, not pumpkin pie filling)

  • 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar

  • 1/2 cup (105g) packed light brown sugar

  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature

  • 1/2 cup (120ml) vegetable oil (or melted coconut oil or canola oil)

  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

Follow these step-by-step instructions to create your perfect muffins.

Step 1: Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling

  1. In a medium mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, and 1 tsp vanilla extract with an electric mixer or a whisk until completely smooth and creamy.

  2. Transfer the mixture to a small piping bag or a gallon-sized Ziploc bag with the corner snipped off. Place it in the refrigerator to firm up slightly while you prepare the muffin batter.

Step 2: Prepare the Topping

  1. In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 1 tsp ground cinnamon.

  2. Pour the melted butter into the bowl and mix with a fork until the mixture resembles wet sand. Set aside.

Step 3: Preheat and Prep

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

  2. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or generously grease the cups with non-stick cooking spray.

Step 4: Mix the Dry Ingredients

  1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin pie spice until well combined.

Step 5: Mix the Wet Ingredients

  1. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, oil, and 1/4 cup water (if using) until smooth and uniform.

Step 6: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

  1. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.

  2. Use a rubber spatula to gently fold the ingredients together just until the flour disappears. Do not overmix. A few small lumps are okay. The batter will be thick.

Step 7: Assemble the Muffins

  1. Scoop about 1 tablespoon of pumpkin batter into the bottom of each prepared muffin liner.

  2. Pipe or spoon about 1 heaping teaspoon of the chilled cream cheese filling onto the center of the batter in each liner. Do not let the filling touch the edges of the liner.
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