Fluffy Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins – That Melt-in-Your Mouth! 🍂🧁

If fall had a flavor, it would taste just like these Fluffy Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins. Imagine biting into a soft, spiced pumpkin muffin, only to reach a luscious swirl of tangy-sweet cream cheese in the center. These bakery-style muffins are irresistibly moist, beautifully domed, and bursting with autumnal warmth.

Whether you’re baking for a cozy brunch, a Thanksgiving dessert table, or simply want your kitchen to smell like a fall dream, this recipe will hit the spot. Even better? It’s easy to make, freezer-friendly, and guaranteed to impress.

Let’s dive into the full guide to making the best pumpkin muffins ever — with FAQs, pro tips, and storage ideas included!

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🧁 Why You’ll Love These Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

• Incredibly soft & fluffy texture

• Warm fall spices in every bite

• Creamy, tangy center for a delicious contrast

• Perfectly sweet – not too much!

• Better than Starbucks, and made from scratch

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🎃 Ingredients You’ll Need

🧺 For the Muffin Batter

• 1 ¾ cups (220g) all-purpose flour

• 1 tsp baking powder

• ½ tsp baking soda

• ½ tsp salt

• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

• ½ tsp ground nutmeg

• ¼ tsp ground cloves

• ¼ tsp ground ginger

• ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar

• ½ cup (100g) brown sugar, packed

• 2 large eggs

• 1 cup (240ml) canned pumpkin puree (not pie filling)

• ½ cup (120ml) vegetable oil

• ¼ cup (60ml) milk

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

🍥 For the Cream Cheese Filling

• 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened

• ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar

• 1 egg yolk

• ½ tsp vanilla extract

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🧑‍🍳 How to Make Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

Step 1: Preheat Your Oven and Prepare the Pan

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a standard muffin tin with paper liners or grease with baking spray. This recipe makes 12 muffins.

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Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together:

• All-purpose flour

• Baking powder

• Baking soda

• Salt

• Cinnamon

• Nutmeg

• Cloves

• Ginger

Set aside.

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Step 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients

In another bowl, whisk:

• Both sugars

• Eggs

• Pumpkin puree

• Oil

• Milk

• Vanilla extract

Whisk until smooth and well-blended.

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Step 4: Make the Cream Cheese Filling

In a small bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with:

• Sugar

• Egg yolk

• Vanilla extract

Beat until smooth and creamy. You can use a hand mixer or do it vigorously by hand.

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Step 5: Assemble the Muffins

1. Fill each muffin liner about ⅔ full with the pumpkin batter.

2. Drop a tablespoon of cream cheese filling in the center of each.

3. Use a toothpick or knife to gently swirl the cream cheese into the batter (optional for a marble look).

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Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Bake muffins in the preheated oven for 18–22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the muffin (not the center of the cream cheese) comes out clean.

Let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.

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📝 Tips for Perfect Muffins Every Time

🔥 Don’t Overmix

Overmixing causes dense muffins. Mix the batter just until dry ingredients disappear.

🥶 Use Room Temp Cream Cheese

Cold cream cheese won’t blend smoothly. Let it soften at room temperature for at least 30 minutes.

🎨 Swirl for Beauty

If you want an artistic cream cheese swirl, use a skewer or knife tip to create figure-8s before baking.

🧁 Fill Correctly

Don’t overfill the muffin cups — ⅔ full is perfect to get that nice dome without overflow.

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🧊 Storage and Freezing Instructions

How to Store

Store cooled muffins in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days (because of the cream cheese).

How to Freeze

Freeze individually wrapped muffins in a zip-top bag for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight or microwave for 20–30 seconds for a warm treat.

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🧑‍🍳 Variations and Add-Ins

• Add a streusel topping: Combine flour, butter, sugar, and cinnamon for a crunchy top.

• Try with chocolate chips: Add mini chocolate chips to the batter for a sweet twist.

• Use maple cream cheese: Swap vanilla with maple extract in the filling for a seasonal flavor boost.

• Make it gluten-free: Substitute your favorite 1:1 gluten-free flour mix.

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🧂 What to Serve with Pumpkin Muffins

Pair these muffins with:

• Hot chai tea or spiced latte

• Creamy oat milk cappuccino

• A drizzle of maple syrup on top

• A dollop of whipped cream

They’re great on their own but make an even better treat with a warm drink!