Description
Starbucks pumpkin cream cheese muffins blend autumn’s warmth with creamy indulgence in a single treat. Homemade versions let bakers recreate this beloved cafe classic with simple ingredients and delightful results.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup (50 g) granulated sugar
- 1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract
Instructions
- Whip cream cheese with sugar and vanilla until silky and uniform, creating a luxurious filling. Reserve for later assembly.
- Heat oven to 350F, preparing a muffin tin with liners or cooking spray for optimal non-stick performance.
- Combine dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl: flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger. Blend thoroughly to distribute seasonings evenly.
- In a separate vessel, thoroughly integrate granulated and brown sugars with pumpkin puree, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until achieving a smooth, cohesive mixture.
- Gently fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients, mixing minimally to prevent gluten development. Maintain a light, tender texture by avoiding overmixing.
- Distribute pumpkin batter into muffin cups, filling approximately two-thirds of each compartment.
- Delicately introduce a dollop of prepared cream cheese filling into the center of each muffin, softly pressing to nestle within the batter.
- Embellish muffin tops with a sprinkle of pepitas blended with cinnamon and sugar for a crunchy, aromatic finish.
- Bake for 18-22 minutes, monitoring for a clean toothpick test when inserted near the muffin’s edge.
- Allow muffins to rest briefly in the pan, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling, ensuring optimal texture and flavor development.
Notes
- Prevent overmixing the batter to maintain a tender, light muffin texture by gently folding ingredients until just combined.
- Create a gluten-free version by substituting all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend for those with dietary restrictions.
- Enhance the cream cheese filling’s stability by chilling it briefly before adding to the muffin centers, which helps prevent spreading during baking.
- Store muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze for longer preservation, ensuring maximum freshness and flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 65
- Sugar: 4.9 g
- Sodium: 60 mg
- Fat: 6.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.4 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 5.0 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 1.2 g
- Cholesterol: 21 mg