Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

Why Make This Recipe

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins are a delicious treat that everyone loves, especially in the fall. They are soft, moist, and filled with creamy cheese.

The blend of pumpkin and warm spices makes your kitchen smell wonderful. Plus, they are easy to make and perfect for breakfast or a snack.

How To Make Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

Ingredients:

• 2 cups All-purpose flour
• 2 tsp Baking powder
• 1/2 tsp Baking soda
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• 2 tsp Ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp Pumpkin pie spice
• 1/4 tsp Ground nutmeg
• 15 oz Pumpkin puree (1 can of puree)
• 1/2 cup Unsalted butter (melted and cooled)
• 3/4 cup Brown sugar (packed light or dark)
• 1 Large egg (room temperature)
• 1 tsp Pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup Sour cream (room temperature)
• 1/2 cup Buttermilk (room temperature)
• Coarse sugar (like sugar in the raw)
• 4 oz Cream cheese (room temperature)
• 2 TBSP White granulated sugar
• 1 tsp All-purpose flour
• 1 tsp Milk
• 1 tsp Pure vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Prepare the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin tin with liners or grease it.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and nutmeg.
3. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine pumpkin puree, melted butter, brown sugar, egg, vanilla extract, sour cream, and buttermilk. Mix until smooth.
4. Combine: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Stir gently until just combined.
5. Prepare Cream Cheese Filling: In another bowl, mix cream cheese, white sugar, flour, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Set aside.
6. Fill Muffin Tin: Spoon some batter into each muffin cup. Add a small dollop of the cream cheese mixture on top, then cover it with more batter. Sprinkle coarse sugar on top.
7. Bake: Bake for about 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let them cool before serving.

Prep Time And Nutrition Facts

This recipe takes about 10 minutes to prepare and 20 minutes to cook, making a total of 30 minutes. It serves 12 people and each muffin has about 250 calories, with 4 grams of protein and 10 grams of fat.

How To Serve Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

Serve these muffins warm or at room temperature. They are great on their own or with a cup of coffee or tea. You can also add a touch of butter if you like.

How To Store Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

Store any leftover muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also keep them in the refrigerator for about a week. For longer storage, freeze them for up to 3 months. Just thaw before enjoying!

Tips To Make Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

• Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature to mix well.
• Use fresh spices for better flavor.
• Don’t overmix the batter to keep the muffins light and fluffy.

Health And Benefits Of This Recipe

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins offer several health benefits. They contain pumpkin, which is high in vitamins A and C, and is great for your vision and immune system. The muffins also provide some protein from the egg and cream cheese, making them a balanced snack. Enjoying these treats in moderation can be part of a healthy diet.

Variation

You can add nuts or chocolate chips to the batter for extra texture and flavor. If you like, replace buttermilk with regular milk or yogurt.

FAQs

1. Can I make these muffins without cream cheese?
Yes, you can skip the cream cheese filling or replace it with a fruit jam for a different flavor.

2. Can I use fresh pumpkin instead of canned?
Absolutely! Just make sure to cook and puree the fresh pumpkin before using it.

3. How can I make these muffins healthier?
You can substitute some of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour and use less sugar to make them lower in calories.