Pumpkin Cream Cheese Swirl Muffins Recipe
These Pumpkin Cream Cheese Swirl Muffins combine the warm spices of pumpkin pie with a luscious cream cheese swirl for a moist, flavorful treat perfect for fall or any time you crave a cozy baked good. Soft pumpkin-infused batter is complemented by a rich cream cheese topping, baked to golden perfection.
- Author: Maya
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 muffins 1x
- Category: Breakfast, Snack, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Dry Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp pumpkin spice
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
Wet Ingredients for Muffins
- 1 (15 oz) can pumpkin puree
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup canola oil
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
Cream Cheese Swirl
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, pumpkin spice, baking soda, and salt. Stir them together until they are evenly incorporated and smooth.
- Cream Pumpkin and Sugars: Add the pumpkin puree, granulated sugar, and brown sugar to the bowl. Use the paddle attachment on a mixer to cream these ingredients together until the mixture is smooth and fully blended.
- Add Eggs, Oil, and Vanilla: Add the eggs, canola oil, and 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract to the pumpkin mixture. Mix well until the batter is smooth and uniformly combined.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing little by little until the batter becomes smooth, fully incorporated, and without lumps.
- Prepare Muffin Pan: Line a cupcake pan with cupcake liners. Fill each liner about three-quarters full with the pumpkin batter, ensuring all batter is evenly distributed.
- Make Cream Cheese Swirl: In a separate bowl, whip the softened cream cheese until smooth. Add the sugar, egg yolk, and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract, then whip again until the mixture is smooth and free of lumps.
- Add Swirl to Muffins: Spoon a tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture onto the top of the pumpkin batter in each muffin cup. Using a butter knife, gently swirl the cream cheese into the batter—do not mix completely to maintain the swirl effect.
- Bake the Muffins: Bake the muffins in a preheated oven at 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius) for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the centers are set and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Notes
- Be careful not to overmix the batter to keep the muffins tender.
- Use full-fat cream cheese for the best texture and flavor in the swirl.
- Make sure the cream cheese is softened before whipping to avoid lumps.
- Allow muffins to cool for 5 minutes in the pan before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Muffins can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerated for up to a week.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute cream cheese with a vegan alternative and use oil suitable for vegan diets.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 muffin
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 23g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: pumpkin muffins, cream cheese swirl, fall baking, pumpkin spice, moist muffins, easy pumpkin recipe