There’s something about the aroma of pumpkin spice that makes your kitchen feel like autumn, even when it’s still warm outside.
And nothing screams fall quite like the beloved Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins.
If you’ve ever found yourself craving these soft, pumpkin-spiced treats with their creamy centers, I’ve got good news for you: you can easily make them at home!
In this recipe, we’ll break down every step to create these indulgent muffins from scratch.
With moist pumpkin-infused batter and a rich cream cheese filling, this recipe gives you the best of both worlds—a taste of fall and a satisfying bakery treat—all in one bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Before diving into the process, gather all your ingredients. The two main components of this recipe are the pumpkin muffins and the cream cheese filling. Here’s what you’ll need:
For the Muffins:
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin spice (or your own mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger)
- 15 oz pumpkin puree (make sure it’s pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling)
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Cream Cheese Filling:
- 4 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 1 teaspoon milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Now that you’ve got everything, let’s start baking.
Step-by-Step Directions
1. Preheat Your Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven heats up, line a muffin pan with paper liners or lightly grease it. This ensures your muffins don’t stick and makes cleanup easier.
2. Mix the Oil and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, combine 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 3/4 cup brown sugar, and 1/2 cup vegetable oil.
Mixing these together creates the base for your muffin batter, giving it the perfect balance of sweetness and moisture.
Use a whisk or a hand mixer to ensure the sugars dissolve into the oil, resulting in a smooth and uniform consistency.
3. Add the Eggs, Vanilla, and Pumpkin Puree
Once your sugar-oil mixture is well-blended, it’s time to add the stars of the show: 2 large eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 15 oz pumpkin puree.
The pumpkin not only adds that delicious flavor but also makes these muffins incredibly moist. Whisk everything together until fully combined and smooth.
4. Prepare the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together your dry ingredients: 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and 2 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin spice.
If you can’t find pre-made pumpkin spice, don’t worry! You can easily make your own by combining cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves in equal proportions.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Slowly fold the dry mixture into the wet ingredients. Be careful not to overmix.
Overmixing can lead to dense, chewy muffins rather than the light and tender texture you’re after.
The key here is to gently fold the ingredients together until just combined. It’s okay if there are a few lumps, as these will work themselves out while baking.
6. Fill the Muffin Pan
Now that your muffin batter is ready, scoop it into the prepared muffin cups. Fill each cup about two-thirds full, giving the muffins room to rise without spilling over.
Making the Cream Cheese Filling
The creamy, slightly tangy filling inside these muffins is what makes them truly special. Let’s get started on that:
1. Prepare the Cream Cheese Mixture
In a small bowl, combine 4 oz of room temperature cream cheese, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon flour, 1 teaspoon milk, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Beat the mixture until it’s smooth and creamy.
The flour helps stabilize the cream cheese filling, so it holds up well inside the muffins during baking.
2. Pipe the Cream Cheese Filling
Now comes the fun part: filling the muffins with that creamy goodness! To make this step easier, transfer the cream cheese mixture into a piping bag or a ziplock bag with a small corner snipped off.
Pipe a small dollop of cream cheese into the center of each muffin. This creates that beautiful surprise of creaminess when you take a bite.
If you don’t have a piping bag, you can also use a spoon to gently press the filling into the muffin batter. Just make sure the filling stays in the center for the best results.
Baking the Muffins
Once your muffins are filled, it’s time to bake.
1. Bake
Place your filled muffin pan in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes.
The muffins are done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few crumbs attached. Be careful not to overbake, as this can dry out the muffins.
2. Cool the Muffins
After removing the muffins from the oven, allow them to cool in the pan for about 5-10 minutes.
This helps the muffins set, and it makes them easier to transfer to a wire cooling rack. Once slightly cooled, move the muffins to the rack to cool completely.
Although they’re delicious warm, giving them time to cool allows the cream cheese filling to firm up slightly, creating the perfect balance of creamy and cakey.
Serving and Storing
Your homemade Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins are now ready to be enjoyed!
Serve them warm with your morning coffee or as an afternoon treat. They are so rich and flavorful, they don’t even need additional butter or spreads.
Storage Tips: These muffins can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
If you want them to last longer, keep them in the fridge for up to a week. For even longer storage, wrap them individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.
To enjoy later, simply thaw at room temperature or pop them in the microwave for a few seconds to warm them up.
Recipe Tips and Variations
- Don’t overmix the batter: Stirring the batter too much can make your muffins dense. Fold gently until the ingredients are just combined.
- Room temperature cream cheese: Make sure the cream cheese is softened at room temperature before mixing it for the filling. This ensures a smooth and lump-free filling.
- Add some toppings: For a bit of extra texture, you can sprinkle pumpkin seeds or a cinnamon-sugar mixture on top of the muffins before baking. This adds a little crunch and makes the muffins look even more bakery-worthy.
- Adjust sweetness: If you prefer your muffins a little less sweet, you can reduce the sugar in the muffin batter by about 1/4 cup without affecting the texture too much.
Final Thoughts
Making these homemade Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins is easier than you might think, and the results are well worth the effort.
The combination of moist, spiced pumpkin cake and the luscious cream cheese filling makes every bite feel like a little indulgence.
Whether you’re making them for a cozy fall morning or just to satisfy your pumpkin spice cravings, this recipe is a surefire hit.
So why wait for the seasonal Starbucks release when you can make them anytime right in your own kitchen? Enjoy!