Description

Pumpkin Muffins with Maple Cream Cheese Filling are a warm, spiced treat that brings the best of fall together in one perfect muffin. The pumpkin muffins are soft and flavorful, and the maple cream cheese filling adds a rich, sweet surprise in the center. They’re perfect for breakfast, a snack, or dessert, and are sure to become a favorite fall treat.

Ingredients

For the Muffins:

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

1 cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs

1 1/2 cups canned pumpkin puree

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup buttermilk (or regular milk with 1 teaspoon lemon juice)

For the Maple Cream Cheese Filling:

8 oz cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup maple syrup

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 cup powdered sugar

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Instructions

Make the Muffins: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with 12 muffin liners. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. Set aside. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the pumpkin puree and vanilla extract. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk. Start and end with the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined. Spoon the muffin batter into the muffin liners, filling each about 2/3 full.
Make the Maple Cream Cheese Filling: In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Add the maple syrup, vanilla extract, and powdered sugar, and beat until fully combined and creamy. Using a spoon or piping bag, place a small dollop of the maple cream cheese filling into the center of each muffin. Be careful not to overfill, as the cream cheese filling should stay in the center of the muffin. Use a spoon to cover the filling with a little more muffin batter to make sure the cream cheese is hidden inside.
Bake the Muffins: Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (except for the creamy filling). Let the muffins cool in the tin for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Add chopped walnuts or pecans to the batter for a little crunch.

Swap the maple syrup for honey if you prefer a different flavor.

Drizzle a little more maple syrup over the muffins once they cool for extra sweetness.

Sprinkle a touch of cinnamon sugar on top before baking for a sweet, crunchy topping.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 18-22 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Bake
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 muffin
Calories: Varies depending on ingredients used
Sugar: Varies
Sodium: Varies
Fat: Varies depending on butter and cream cheese
Saturated Fat: Varies
Unsaturated Fat: Varies
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: Varies
Fiber: Varies
Protein: Varies
Cholesterol: Varies