Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins
Pumpkin, spices and sweetened cream cheese combine in these perfect fall muffins.
Can you guys believe it’s fall already!?! Like I said before, I’m actually looking forward to fall this year. For most people, the changing of the leaves indicates that it’s time for pumpkin EVERYTHING. From coffee to candles and everything in between, we all go crazy for pumpkin this time of year.
I personally, enjoy my love of pumpkin baked goods year-round. I made the muffins to share at a work breakfast potluck. We were raising money for the United Way and had a recommended $5 donation that was collected at the door. I was impressed with the spread! My co-workers are pretty talented in the kitchen.
It’s no surprise that these muffins were a hit. They’ve got all the warm fall flavors expected in a pumpkin muffin, along with a fun surprise of the cream cheese filling. Since making these the first time, I’ve made them a couple more times, with and without the topping. They’re tasty both ways, just a bit more sweet and indulgent with the topping included.
If you are looking for yet ANOTHER pumpkin recipe to try out this fall, give this one a shot.
Two Years Ago: Pumpkin Vanilla Cocktail with Spiced Sugar Rim and Apple 7-Layer Magic Bars
Three Years Ago: Roasted Beet and Goat Cheese Risotto and Neapolitan Cheesecake Cake
Four Years Ago: Smores Cupcakes
Six Years Ago: M&M Cookies
Don’t forget to enter in my Power of Pink Challenge for your chance to win a $100 donation to the charity of your choice.
Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins
Pumpkin, spices and sweetened cream cheese combine in these perfect fall muffins.
Yield: 24 muffins
Ingredients:
For the cream cheese filling
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup powerdered sugar
For the muffins
3 cups flour
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp ground cloves
1 Tbsp plus 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
4 eggs
2 cups sugar
1 can pumpkin puree (~2 cups)
1 1/4 cups vegetable oil
For the topping
1/2 cup sugar
5 Tbsp flour
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
4 Tbsp cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
Directions:
For the filling
Combine the cream cheese and powdered sugar in a bowl and mix until well blended and smooth. Transfer to a piece of plastic wrap and shape into a log about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Smooth the plastic wrap tightly around the log and wrap with a piece of foil. Chill in freezer until firm, ~2 hours.
For the muffins
Preheat the oven to 350 degF. Line muffin pans with muffin liners.
In a medium bowl, combine the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, pumpkin pie spice, salt and baking soda. Whisk dry ingredients to blend.
In the bowl of a mixer, combine the eggs, sugar, pumpkin and oil. Mix on med-low until blended. Put mixer on low and add dry ingredients. Mix until just incorporated.
For the topping
Combine the sugar, flour and cinnamon in a small bowl. Whisk to blend. Add the butter and cut in to the dry ingredients with a pastry cutter or two forks until crumbly and coarse. Chill in fridge until ready to use.
To assemble the muffins
Remove the cream cheese filling log from the freezer and slice in to 24 pieces.
Fill each muffin liner with a small amount of batter. Add a slice of cream cheese into the muffin batter. Divide the rest of the batter between the muffins, covering the cream cheese filling.
Sprinkle some of the topping over each muffin.
Bake for 20-25 minutes. Cool on a wire rack before serving.
Recipe from Kristine's Kitchen
I am Jen the Beantown Baker. Engineer by day and baking maven by night. Hubby serves as my #1 fan and official taste tester. We got hitched back in 2006. Barefoot. In the sand. With the waves crashing behind us. It was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. 
I think it’s very interesting that KAF has you freeze after baking. With most yeast things, you can pop them in the freezer before the second rise, and then take them out the night before, let them have a slow rise in the fridge, and then leave them out until they are proofed and then bake. It seems so much easier to just partially bake them. Interesting.
All the flavors sound incredible!
1. Pumpkin cinnamon rolls are fabulous, and these look great!
2. I love the tip about pre-baking the rolls before freezing. I will definitely be employing that technique :).
These sound AMAZING! I’ve been fearful of making cinnamon rolls- both for the baking and having them around- this is great to know though! Thanks!
No fair using my recipe and then making prettier cinnamon rolls than me. Hmph!
Oh well, I suppose it’s worth it to find about this great freezing trick!
Wow, do those look and sound delicious! Thanks for the info on how to freeze the rolls. I think I’ll attempt yeast soon.
Thanks for sharing the tip on freezing cinnamon rolls. I seriously love KAF’s helpful hints on their blog and website!
ok what a brilliant idea!! I love making pumpkin cinnamon rolls, I just made a batch last weekend 🙂
Oh YUM! Thanks for the freezing tips. I wanted to make my kids homemade cinnamon rolls this weekend, but like you, didn’t want them sitting around to tempt me! Does the pumpkin make the rolls really moist? I’m saving this recipe.
Rhondi – I found the dough to be similar to other cinnamon roll dough as far as the moistness goes.
I haven’t had cinnamon rolls in such a long time! I can’t wait to try these.
These look great – the pumpkin is such a nice touch. Love the freezing tips!
Hello as I am sure you know here in Italy we use the yeast in very many recipes. To freeze some dough leavened with baking powder (such as croissants or Daddy), some experts have advised me after giving shape to freeze before the final rise, then remove from freezer the night before putting in the oven thawing, and morning turn on the oven and cook as usual. I must tell you that I tried and the result was perfect.
Ciao Flavia
Yum! I LOVE cinnamon rolls and pumpkin cinnamon rolls are definitely a nice change-up from the usual plain cinnamon rolls. Great recipe!
pumpkin cinnamon rolls!? get out of town!? these look ah-mazing!!!!
I love your freezing tip! I actually haven’t tried making cinnamon rolls yet, but will soon! It’s nice to know you can make them the night before too and then just finish baking in the morning.
delicious a favourite I make similar
I never knew pumpkin cinnamon rolls existed until now. Looks and sounds divine!