There’s something magical about the fall season when pumpkin-flavored everything starts taking over coffee shops and bakeries. One of the most beloved seasonal items at Starbucks is their Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins. These soft, moist muffins are packed with warm pumpkin spice flavors and filled with a rich, tangy cream cheese center. If you’re a fan of the iconic muffin but want to enjoy it without having to make a daily Starbucks trip, you’re in luck! This copycat recipe brings the same irresistible flavor to your kitchen.
Not only are these muffins easy to make, but they’re also perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a snack with your favorite fall drink. You’ll get that signature Starbucks flavor without the wait in line, and you can even make extra to freeze and enjoy later.
In this detailed guide, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of making Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins, share tips for nailing the recipe, and offer a few fun variations to customize the muffins to your liking.
Why You’ll Love These Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins
These Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins are a must-bake during the fall season for several reasons:
- Pumpkin and cream cheese perfection: The soft, warmly spiced pumpkin muffin pairs beautifully with the tangy cream cheese center, creating a perfect bite every time.
- Easy to make at home: With simple ingredients and no fancy equipment required, you can whip up a batch of these muffins in less than an hour.
- Budget-friendly: Skip the daily Starbucks run and save money by making these muffins at home.
- Freezer-friendly: These muffins freeze well, making them great for meal prep or saving for a quick breakfast or snack later.
- Customizable: Add your own touch with fun mix-ins like nuts or chocolate chips or even switch up the spices to suit your taste.
Ingredients for Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins
Here’s what you’ll need to recreate these Starbucks-inspired muffins at home:
For the Muffins:
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil (or melted coconut oil)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Cream Cheese Filling:
- 6 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
For Topping (optional but highly recommended):
- 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds (pepitas) – these add a lovely crunch and a bit of contrast to the soft muffin.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins
Step 1: Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling
In a small bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Transfer the mixture to a small bowl and refrigerate it while you prepare the muffin batter. This will allow the cream cheese to firm up slightly, making it easier to scoop and place into the muffin batter.
Step 2: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Muffin Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners or lightly grease the muffin cups with nonstick spray.
Step 3: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. These spices will give your muffins that signature pumpkin spice flavor that we all love during fall.
Step 4: Combine the Wet Ingredients
In a separate medium bowl, whisk the eggs, pumpkin puree, vegetable oil, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined. The pumpkin puree not only adds flavor but also keeps the muffins moist and tender.
Step 5: Mix the Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring gently with a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to dense muffins. The batter should be thick and fully incorporated, with no streaks of flour remaining.
Step 6: Fill the Muffin Cups
Spoon the muffin batter into the prepared muffin cups, filling each about 3/4 full. Use the back of a spoon to create a small indent in the center of each muffin. This will be where the cream cheese filling goes.
Step 7: Add the Cream Cheese Filling
Remove the cream cheese mixture from the fridge and scoop about 1 tablespoon of the filling into the center of each muffin, pressing it gently into the batter. You can use a small spoon or a piping bag for this step. The cream cheese will settle slightly as the muffins bake, so don’t worry if it sits a little high.
Step 8: Add Topping (Optional)
If you’re adding pumpkin seeds (pepitas) for an extra crunch, sprinkle them on top of each muffin before baking.
Step 9: Bake the Muffins
Place the muffin pan in the preheated oven and bake for 18-22 minutes, or until the muffins are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into the pumpkin part comes out clean. The cream cheese filling should be set but still creamy.
Step 10: Cool and Enjoy
Allow the muffins to cool in the pan for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. These muffins are delicious warm, but they’re also great at room temperature or even chilled.
Tips for the Best Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins
- Use room temperature ingredients: For the best texture, make sure your eggs and cream cheese are at room temperature before mixing. This helps them blend more smoothly into the batter.
- Don’t overmix the batter: When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix just until no flour streaks remain. Overmixing can result in dense or tough muffins.
- Pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling: Make sure to use 100% pure pumpkin puree. Pumpkin pie filling is sweetened and spiced, which will throw off the balance of the recipe.
- Adjust the spices: If you prefer a more or less spiced muffin, feel free to adjust the cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves to suit your taste.
- Get creative with the topping: While the pepitas add a lovely crunch, you can also sprinkle the tops with coarse sugar or even a streusel topping for added texture and sweetness.
Flavor Profile of Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins
These muffins are a delightful mix of flavors and textures. The muffin base is soft, moist, and infused with warm pumpkin spice, while the cream cheese center adds a rich, tangy contrast. The optional pumpkin seeds (pepitas) give a slight crunch to the top, rounding out the experience with a nutty texture. Every bite is the perfect combination of sweet, spiced, and creamy goodness, making it hard to stop at just one muffin!
Variations of Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins
If you want to switch things up or put your own spin on these muffins, here are a few ideas:
1. Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins
Add 1/2 cup of semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips to the batter for an extra indulgent treat. The chocolate pairs beautifully with the pumpkin and cream cheese filling, making these muffins even more irresistible.
2. Streusel Topping Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins
For an added layer of sweetness and crunch, sprinkle a cinnamon streusel topping over the muffins before baking. Combine 2 tablespoons of butter, 1/4 cup of brown sugar, and 1/4 cup of flour with a pinch of cinnamon, and sprinkle over the muffins.
3. Pumpkin Nut Muffins
For some added texture and flavor, mix 1/2 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts into the batter. The nuts add a bit of crunch and complement the warm spices beautifully.
Storing and Freezing Muffins
Storing:
Store any leftover muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate them for up to 5 days. The cream cheese filling means the muffins will stay moist and fresh for several days, making them great for meal prepping breakfast or snacks.
Freezing:
These muffins freeze very well. Once they’ve cooled completely, wrap each muffin individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy one, simply thaw at room temperature or warm it in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds.
Nutritional Information (per muffin):
- Calories: 290
- Fat: 17g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Protein: 4g
- Sugar: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
Final Thoughts
These Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins are the perfect homemade treat for the fall season. They bring together all the comforting flavors of pumpkin spice with a rich cream cheese filling that makes them extra special. Whether you’re looking for a festive breakfast option, a snack to enjoy with your afternoon coffee, or a dessert to share with friends and family, these muffins are sure to be a hit.
So, grab a can of pumpkin puree, warm up the oven, and treat yourself to a batch of these irresistible muffins. You’ll get all the deliciousness of your favorite Starbucks treat without having to leave the house!
