Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins are just like the ones at Starbucks, only better! This is the perfect muffin recipe for Fall! They are super moist, tender, perfectly spiced, and irresistible! They are baked with a maple cream cheese filling that makes these muffins heavenly! These are a copycat recipe of Starbucks' famous fall muffin but with real ingredients and fewer calories! These are perfect for breakfast or brunch and back-to-school or work lunches.
To see the step-by-step process for how to make pumpkin cream cheese muffins, check out my web story.
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Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins are one of my favorite muffins at Starbucks. Every Fall, when they bring them out, I would pop in and pick up a muffin and a latte.
Last year, when we never left the house unless we had to, I was craving a pumpkin spice muffin filled with cream cheese. So I decided to make my own, and after a few attempts, I think I nailed it. So now I make these pumpkin muffins anytime I want! I like to keep them in the freezer for a quick muffin whenever I get a craving! They are great any time of the year!
These pumpkin muffins are super moist and were the inspiration for my Strawberry Rhubarb Cream Cheese Muffins. They also contain yogurt like my Zucchini Bread with Cinnamon Glaze.
These muffins also pair perfectly with an Iced Coffee, Starbucks Toasted White Chocolate Mocha or, for the ultimate experience, Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte. 🙂
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Why We Love This Recipe
- Easy to make
- These muffins are always moist and tender
- Perfect amount of pumpkin spice
- Perfect for lunches
- Amazing flavor
- They freeze extremely well
- A little taste of sweetened cream cheese in every bite
- One bowl recipe
- The cream cheese filling is so good!
Ingredients
Let's gather up the ingredients, and let's get started!
For the muffin, you will need:
- cane sugar, or white sugar
- vegetable oil
- pumpkin puree
- eggs
- vanilla yogurt
- pumpkin pie spice
- salt
- baking soda
- all-purpose flour
For the cream cheese filling, you will need:
- Cream cheese, softened
- maple syrup
- vanilla extract
- pumpkin seeds, optional
See the recipe card below for quantities.
How to make copycat Starbucks pumpkin muffins
There are 2 simple parts to this recipe, the muffin batter, and the cream cheese filling.
Mix pumpkin puree, oil, and cane sugar in a large bowl to make the batter. Add eggs, yogurt, pumpkin pie spice, salt, and baking soda. Mix until well combined. Add flour and mix just until combined. Do not overmix.
Divide muffin batter evenly in muffin tins, filling each liner about ⅔ full.
Make the cream cheese filling
This filling is so good! Combine softened cream cheese, maple syrup, and vanilla in a bowl.
Make a divot in the muffin batter with a spoon and add 1 tablespoon of the cream cheese filling before baking. Use the back of a small spoon to push the cream cheese down into the muffin. The muffins will rise around the cream cheese filling while they bake.
Pop them in the oven and let them bake!
That's all there is to it! Cool on a wire rack for at least 5 minutes before you grab one! 🙂
More Starbucks Copycat Recipes
Equipment
- Muffin tins
- Cupcake liners
- Cooling rack
Storage
Fridge: These will keep for about a week in the fridge in an airtight container.
Freezer: These will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. I like to wrap them individually in plastic wrap after they cool and place them in a Ziploc bag. That way, I can grab one anytime I get a craving for one!
Top tips
- Mix by hand for a tender muffin. If you use a mixer they won't be as tender.
- Make a little divot in the muffin batter and place the cream cheese in it
- Bring cream cheese to room temperature so there are no lumps
- Use pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling
Common questions about Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins
Make a little divot in the muffin batter and place the cream cheese filling in it. Use the back of a small spoon to press it into the batter. The muffin will rise around the cream cheese as it bakes. If you use more than 1 tablespoon of filling, the filling will run out of the muffin.
Of course! They will be a lot lower in calories and still taste delicious!
Yes, of course! Any milk will work in this recipe!
If you love Starbucks' cream cheese muffins, you have to give this recipe a try! They taste unbelievably fresh and are way cheaper than the original! Plus, it is made with real ingredients and nothing artificial!
More Delicious Recipes
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📋 Recipe
Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins
Equipment
- muffin tins
- cooling rack
- mixing bowl
Ingredients
For the Pumpkin Muffin Batter
- 1 cup cane sugar
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup yogurt
- 2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
For the Maple Cream Cheese Filling
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened
- ⅛ cup maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- pumpkin seeds, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line muffin tins with liners.
- In a medium-size bowl, cream together the cane sugar, oil, and pumpkin puree until smooth.
- Add the egg, yogurt, pumpkin pie spice, salt, and baking soda to the mixture and mix well.
- Add the all-purpose flour and mix just until combined. Do not overmix.
- Fill the muffin tins. Use a ¼-cup scoop to fill the liners. Fill them until they are ⅔ full.
- Make the cream cheese filling by mixing together the cream cheese, maple syrup, and vanilla. Make a divot in the muffin batter and place 1 tablespoon of cream cheese filling in each muffin. Use the back of a small spoon to press the cream cheese down into the muffin batter. Sprinkle with a few pumpkin seeds (optional).
- Bake for about 15-20 minutes until the muffins are golden brown on top and a toothpick inserted in the center of the muffin comes out clean. Do not overbake.
- Remove muffins carefully from the muffin pan and place on a wire rack to cool for at least 5 minutes.
- Enjoy!
Freya
Oh myyy, pumpkin is one of my fav flavours, and this sounds like the perfect fall muffin recipe!
Will
These muffins are my favorite. Totally addictive!
Jeri
They are addictive! I have to hide them in the freezer, so I don't eat the whole batch! 😉 Enjoy!
Brianna
Moist and full of spice! I like these even better thanStarbucks.
Jeri
Thanks, Brianna! Me too! 🙂
Amy
I had a craving for these muffins but where we are we can't leave the house so was hoping I'd find a similar recipe and came across yours. They were soooo good and they were actually better than Starbucks! I guess because it's also fresh and homemade. Cravings satisfied!
Jeri
I'm glad you enjoyed these muffins! They are one of my all-time favorites! I'm sorry to hear you are under lockdown again; stay safe!
Jean
love how moist these muffins are and yes they are easy to bake
Jeri
Glad you liked them, Jean!
Marita
Thanks for the recipe, I love the Starbucks pumpkin muffin, but I like your version better as I can regulate the sugar.
Jeri
Yes, they are so much healthier!
Mihaela | https://theworldisanoyster.com/
So in season, fluffy and way healthier than coffee chain ones! Worth baking a few batches!
Luca
These are just the perfect snack for the fall season!
Gwynn Galvin
A delicious way to start the day!
Jeri
I agree! They are so good!
Jeri
I agree! 🙂
Brianna May
These muffins are the best! Perfect for the fall.
Jeri
Thanks, Brianna! 🙂
Natalie
Fantastic! Super easy pumpkin muffins. I can't wait to give them a try. They look so delicious. Love the added cream cheese filling. Yum!
Jeri
I hope you enjoy them! 🙂
Kayla DiMaggio
These pumpkin cream cheese muffins are heavenly! I loved every bite! There is just something so great about Fall food!
Jeri
I agree! Fall is my favorite season for cooking and baking!
Julia
These are delicious and the cream cheese filling was AMAZING. I'm so glad that it's fall and pumpkin season is already here. Happy I don't have to head to a Starbucks to get these delicious treats anymore.
Jeri
I'm glad you liked them! Keep some in your freezer so you can grab one any time you want! 🙂
Megan Ellam
Perfect for this time of year. I am baking these for the neighbours for a mystery delivery during our local lockdown. Thanks for a great recipe and inspiration.
Jeri
That's a fantastic idea! Stay safe!
Marysa
This sounds like the perfect combination of flavors. I had no idea that Starbucks made these, but I'm sure they are quite overpriced there anyway!
Jeri
They are delicious, and much cheaper too!