Dreamy Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins Recipe

Cool autumn mornings call for a bakery-style pumpkin cream cheese muffins recipe that rivals Starbucks’ beloved treat.

These delectable muffins burst with warm spices and rich pumpkin flavor, perfectly complemented by a luxurious cream cheese center.

Each bite delivers a heavenly balance of tender cake and creamy filling that melts in your mouth.

Whipping up these muffins at home means you can enjoy cafe-quality pastries without leaving your kitchen.

The secret lies in using quality ingredients and a few simple techniques that ensure bakery-level results.

Drizzle the tops with a sweet glaze, and you’ll have a breakfast pastry that transforms an ordinary morning into something extraordinary.

Dive into this irresistible recipe and savor the taste of autumn in every delightful bite.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15-20

Total Time: 30-35 minutes

Calories: 280 kcal

Servings: 13

Must-Haves for Best Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

• All-Purpose Flour: The sturdy foundation that gives muffins their perfect structure and soft crumb.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds delightful sweetness and helps create a golden-brown exterior.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Magical leavening agents that make muffins rise and become wonderfully fluffy.
• Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
• Pumpkin Pie Spice, Cinnamon: Warm, cozy spices that scream autumn and bring incredible depth to the muffins.

• Pumpkin Puree: Brings rich, velvety moisture and authentic fall flavor to the muffins.
• Egg: Binds ingredients together and provides structure.
• Melted Butter: Adds richness and creates a tender, moist texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Introduces a subtle, aromatic sweetness that complements the spices.

• Cream Cheese: Creates a luscious, tangy filling that adds creamy surprise in the center.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and smooths out the cream cheese mixture.
• Additional Flour: Helps stabilize the cream cheese filling and prevent excessive spreading.
• Pinch of Salt: Balances and brightens the cream cheese flavor.

Best Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins: Kitchen Equipment

• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining dry ingredients with ease.
• Medium mixing bowl: Ideal for whisking wet ingredients and cream cheese filling.
• Whisk: Essential for smoothly blending ingredients without lumps.
• Muffin pan: 12-cup pan for evenly sized, beautifully shaped muffins.
• Piping bag or ziplock bag: Great for precise cream cheese filling placement.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Wire cooling rack: Helps muffins cool evenly without getting soggy.
• Toothpick: Handy for checking muffin doneness.

Easy Steps for Best Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

Cozy Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

• Muffin Base Preparation

Gather all your baking essentials and warm up your kitchen. Mix dry ingredients in a spacious bowl, creating a soft, fragrant blend of flour, sugar, and spices that whispers autumn’s magic.

• Wet Ingredient Harmony

Combine pumpkin puree with egg, melted butter, and vanilla, stirring gently to create a smooth, silky mixture that will transform your dry ingredients into a delectable batter.

• Batter Blending

Fold wet and dry ingredients together with a light touch, ensuring a tender texture. Don’t overmix – keep the batter slightly lumpy for perfect muffin consistency.

• Cream Cheese Magic

Whip cream cheese with powdered sugar until dreamy and smooth. This luscious filling will become the heart of your muffins, adding a creamy surprise in every bite.

• Muffin Assembly

Prepare your muffin pan with non-stick spray. Fill each cup about two-thirds full, then create a delightful pocket in the center for the cream cheese filling.

• Filling and Baking

Pipe the cream cheese mixture into each muffin’s center. Slide the pan into a preheated oven and bake until golden and fragrant, about 15-20 minutes.

• Cooling and Enjoying

Let the muffins rest briefly in the pan, then transfer to a cooling rack. Savor these autumn-inspired treats warm or at room temperature, celebrating the season’s cozy flavors.

Boost the Flavor of Best Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

• Gently pipe the cream cheese filling into the center of each muffin, ensuring it doesn't touch the sides to prevent burning during baking.
• Prepare the muffin batter and cream cheese filling separately the night before, storing them in the refrigerator to save time on busy mornings.
• Experiment with additional warm spices like ground nutmeg or cardamom to enhance the pumpkin flavor and create a more complex taste profile.
• Fold in chopped pecans, toasted pumpkin seeds, or dark chocolate chips to add extra crunch and depth to the muffins' texture.
• Swap regular flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend and add an extra teaspoon of baking powder to maintain the muffins' light and fluffy texture.

Serving Suggestions for Best Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

• Cozy Coffee Companion: Pair these pumpkin cream cheese muffins with a warm latte or cappuccino for the ultimate autumn morning treat.
• Fall Dessert Platter: Create a festive dessert spread by arranging muffins alongside caramel apples, cinnamon cookies, and a sprinkle of seasonal nuts.
• Breakfast Brunch Centerpiece: Serve these muffins as a stunning centerpiece at weekend brunches, accompanied by fresh fruit and whipped cream for an elegant touch.
• Gift-Worthy Packaging: Wrap individual muffins in cute autumn-themed parchment paper and tie with twine for a delightful homemade gift that spreads seasonal cheer.

How to Keep Best Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins Fresh

• Fridge Fresh Storage: Keep these delightful muffins in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The cool environment helps maintain their creamy texture and prevents the cream cheese filling from spoiling quickly.
• Freezer Friendly Option: Wrap each muffin individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. These tasty treats can be frozen for maximum 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or warm gently in the microwave for a quick breakfast or snack.
• Counter Comfort: If enjoying within 24 hours, muffins can rest at room temperature in a sealed container. The cream cheese filling remains stable for a short period when kept away from direct sunlight or heat sources.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the dry and wet ingredients separately the night before, storing them in different containers. In the morning, quickly mix and bake for fresh, warm muffins without extensive morning preparation. This strategy saves time and ensures a delicious breakfast with minimal effort.

Homemade Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

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4.8 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 30-35 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Starbucks-inspired pumpkin cream cheese muffins blend autumn’s warmth with rich, creamy textures. Spiced pumpkin batter and tangy cream cheese center create a delightful seasonal treat you’ll want to savor with morning coffee.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1½ cups (355 ml) pumpkin puree
• 1 large egg
• 1½ cups (355 ml) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
• ¼ cup (60 ml) unsalted butter, melted
• 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese
• ½ cup (60 g) powdered sugar
• 1½ tsps pumpkin pie spice
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 2 tsps all-purpose flour
• 1 pinch of salt

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Warm the oven to 350°F and coat a standard muffin tin with non-stick spray or line with paper cups.
2. Dry Ingredients Fusion: Thoroughly blend flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, pumpkin pie spice, and cinnamon in a large mixing bowl until completely integrated.
3. Wet Ingredients Combination: Vigorously whisk pumpkin puree, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth and well-incorporated.
4. Batter Formation: Gently fold wet ingredients into dry mixture, stirring minimally to prevent over-mixing, stopping when ingredients are just combined.
5. Filling and Cream Cheese Injection: Fill muffin cavities two-thirds full with batter, then craft cream cheese filling by blending cream cheese, powdered sugar, flour, and salt until silky smooth. Use a piping bag to delicately insert cream cheese mixture into the center of each unbaked muffin.
6. Baking Process: Place muffin tin in preheated oven and bake for 18-22 minutes, verifying doneness by inserting a toothpick near the muffin’s edge – it should emerge clean.
7. Cooling and Serving: Let muffins rest in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack. Enjoy these luxurious pumpkin cream cheese muffins warm or at room temperature.

Notes

• Minimize Mixing: Stir wet and dry ingredients just until combined to prevent tough, dense muffins with a rubbery texture.
• Precise Filling Technique: Fill muffin cavities only two-thirds full to allow proper rising and prevent overflow during baking.
• Strategic Cream Cheese Insertion: Use a piping bag or plastic bag with a cut corner for clean, centered cream cheese filling in each muffin.
• Temperature and Cooling Wisdom: Let muffins rest in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack to maintain structural integrity and prevent breaking.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15-20
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 280
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 210 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 45 mg