Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese

Featured in: Cozy Fall Recipes

These moist, tender pumpkin muffins feature a luscious cream cheese filling swirled throughout the batter, delivering a perfect balance of sweetness and tang. Infused with warm pumpkin pie spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, they capture the essence of fall in every bite. Lightly topped with coarse sugar for a subtle crunch, they bake up fluffy and golden in about 20 minutes. Ideal for breakfasts or afternoon snacks, these muffins embrace seasonal flavors with simple ingredients and straightforward preparation.

Updated on Mon, 10 Nov 2025 11:31:00 GMT
Moist pumpkin spice cream cheese muffins with warm spices, perfect for breakfast. Save
Moist pumpkin spice cream cheese muffins with warm spices, perfect for breakfast. | pumpkinhearth.com

Moist, tender pumpkin muffins swirled with a sweet, tangy cream cheese filling and topped with a hint of warm spices perfect for autumn mornings or cozy gatherings.

I first served this

Ingredients

  • Cream Cheese Filling: 115 g (4 oz) cream cheese, softened 3 tbsp granulated sugar 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • Muffin Batter: 215 g (1 3/4 cups) all-purpose flour 1 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp salt 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice (or 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp nutmeg, 1/4 tsp ginger, 1/4 tsp cloves) 200 g (1 cup) granulated sugar 60 g (1/3 cup) light brown sugar, packed 2 large eggs 120 ml (1/2 cup) vegetable oil 240 g (1 cup) canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling) 60 ml (1/4 cup) milk 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Optional Topping: 1 tbsp coarse sugar or turbinado sugar, for sprinkling

Instructions

Step 1:
Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease well.
Step 2:
In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese with sugar and vanilla until smooth. Set aside.
Step 3:
In a large bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and pumpkin pie spice.
Step 4:
In another bowl, whisk granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, oil, pumpkin puree, milk, and vanilla until smooth.
Step 5:
Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Stir gently until just combined & do not overmix.
Step 6:
Fill each muffin cup about 2/3 full with batter.
Step 7:
Spoon 1 heaping teaspoon of the cream cheese filling into the center of each muffin. Swirl slightly with a toothpick or skewer.
Step 8:
Sprinkle with coarse sugar if desired.
Step 9:
Bake for 20 22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the muffin (not the cream cheese center) comes out clean.
Step 10:
Let muffins cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Save
| pumpkinhearth.com

These muffins freeze well thaw overnight before serving.

Delicious pumpkin spice cream cheese muffins, swirled with sweet cream cheese filling. Save
Delicious pumpkin spice cream cheese muffins, swirled with sweet cream cheese filling. | pumpkinhearth.com

Enjoy these delicious pumpkin spice muffins any time of the day.

Recipe Q&A

What spices are used in the pumpkin muffins?

A blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves creates a warm pumpkin pie spice flavor.

How is the cream cheese filling incorporated?

The cream cheese is mixed with sugar and vanilla then spooned into muffin batter cups and gently swirled before baking.

Can I add nuts to these muffins?

Yes, chopped pecans or walnuts can be added to the batter for extra texture and flavor.

What is the best way to store these muffins?

Keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days to maintain freshness.

Can these muffins be frozen?

Absolutely, freeze the muffins and thaw overnight before serving to enjoy later.

Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese

Moist pumpkin muffins with a sweet cream cheese center and warm spice blend, ideal for autumn treats.

Prep duration
20 min
Time to cook
22 min
Time required
42 min
Created by Sarah Coleman


Skill required Easy

Cuisine origin American

Portions 12 Serves

Dietary info Meat-free

What you'll need

Cream Cheese Filling

01 4 oz cream cheese, softened
02 3 tbsp granulated sugar
03 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Muffin Batter

01 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 1 tsp baking soda
03 1/2 tsp baking powder
04 1/2 tsp salt
05 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice (or 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp nutmeg, 1/4 tsp ginger, 1/4 tsp cloves)
06 1 cup granulated sugar
07 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
08 2 large eggs
09 1/2 cup vegetable oil
10 1 cup canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
11 1/4 cup milk
12 1 tsp vanilla extract

Optional Topping

01 1 tbsp coarse sugar or turbinado sugar

Directions

Step 01

Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease thoroughly.

Step 02

Make Cream Cheese Filling: In a medium bowl, beat together cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth. Set aside.

Step 03

Combine Dry Ingredients: Whisk the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and pumpkin pie spice in a large bowl until evenly distributed.

Step 04

Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, vegetable oil, pumpkin puree, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.

Step 05

Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir gently until the batter is just combined; avoid overmixing to maintain tenderness.

Step 06

Fill Muffin Cups: Spoon the batter into muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full.

Step 07

Add Cream Cheese Swirl: Place one heaping teaspoon of cream cheese filling in the center of each muffin cup, then swirl gently with a toothpick or skewer.

Step 08

Apply Optional Topping: Sprinkle coarse sugar over the tops if desired for added texture and sweetness.

Step 09

Bake Muffins: Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the muffin portion (avoiding the cream cheese center) comes out clean.

Step 10

Cool Muffins: Allow muffins to cool in the tin for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Gear Needed

  • 12-cup muffin tin
  • Muffin liners (optional)
  • Mixing bowls
  • Electric mixer or whisk
  • Spatula
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Toothpick or skewer
  • Wire rack

Allergy warning

Read over each ingredient for allergies and check with your doctor when uncertain.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), eggs, and dairy.
  • May contain traces of nuts depending on ingredients or facility.

Nutrition details per portion

This is for reference only. Contact your healthcare provider about any concerns.
  • Calorie count: 255
  • Fat content: 11 g
  • Carbohydrate: 36 g
  • Proteins: 4 g