Description

Moist, spiced pumpkin muffins with a creamy, tangy cream cheese swirl in the center. These easy-to-make muffins are perfect for busy weeknights, breakfast, or snacks.

Ingredients

Scale

2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
1 tsp (5g) baking powder
1 tsp (5g) baking soda
2 teaspoons pumpkin spice
¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
½ cup (120ml) vegetable oil
2 large eggs
1 cup (240g) pumpkin puree
½ cup (120ml) milk
4 oz (113g) light cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon coarse sugar (optional topping)
½ teaspoon salt

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin spice until evenly distributed.
In a separate bowl or measuring cup, whisk together oil, sugar, eggs, pumpkin puree, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and gently fold together with a spatula until just combined. Do not overmix.
In a small bowl, mix softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth and creamy.
Scoop about 2 tablespoons of batter into each muffin cup. Add a teaspoon of cream cheese mixture on top, then cover with another 2 tablespoons of batter to trap the filling.
Sprinkle with coarse sugar if desired.
Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the muffin part comes out clean.
Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Do not use pumpkin pie filling; use plain pumpkin puree. Ensure cream cheese is softened for easy swirling. Do not overmix the batter to avoid tough muffins. For gluten-free, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. For dairy-free, use dairy-free cream cheese and almond milk.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Breakfast
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 muffin
Calories: 220
Sugar: 16
Sodium: 180
Fat: 9
Saturated Fat: 4
Carbohydrates: 32
Fiber: 1
Protein: 4

Keywords: pumpkin muffins, cream cheese muffins, fall baking, easy dinner hack, weeknight meals, pumpkin spice, kid-friendly recipes