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Cozy Pumpkin Cream Cheese Swirl Muffins with Cinnamon Sugar Streusel

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Moist, tender pumpkin muffins with a creamy cream cheese swirl and a crunchy cinnamon sugar streusel topping, perfect for a cozy fall breakfast or snack.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ¾ cups (220g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ½ teaspoon ground ginger
  • ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup (240ml) pumpkin puree
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • ½ cup (120ml) buttermilk (or whole milk with 1 tsp lemon juice)
  • 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
  • ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar (for cream cheese swirl)
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for cream cheese swirl)
  • ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar (for streusel)
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon (for streusel)
  • 3 tablespoons (40g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed (for streusel)
  • ½ cup (65g) all-purpose flour (for streusel)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease well.
  2. Prepare streusel topping: Mix ¼ cup sugar and 2 tsp cinnamon in a small bowl. Add flour and cold cubed butter. Cut butter into dry ingredients with a fork or fingers until coarse crumbs form. Set aside.
  3. Mix dry muffin ingredients: Sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger in a large bowl. Set aside.
  4. Combine wet muffin ingredients: In another bowl, whisk melted butter and sugar until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, whisking well after each. Stir in pumpkin puree and vanilla extract. Pour in buttermilk and mix until combined.
  5. Gradually fold dry ingredients into wet mixture with a spatula until just combined. Batter should be thick but pourable.
  6. Prepare cream cheese swirl: Beat softened cream cheese, ¼ cup sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla extract in a medium bowl until smooth and creamy.
  7. Assemble muffins: Spoon about 2 tablespoons of pumpkin batter into each muffin cup. Dollop about 1 tablespoon of cream cheese mixture on top, then add another 2 tablespoons of pumpkin batter over that. Use a butter knife or skewer to gently swirl the cream cheese through the batter.
  8. Generously sprinkle cinnamon sugar streusel over each muffin.
  9. Bake for 22–25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Muffins should be golden and puffed.
  10. Cool muffins in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Do not overmix the batter to avoid tough muffins. Use softened cream cheese for a smooth swirl. Fresh spices enhance flavor. The streusel topping adds a crunchy texture and is optional but recommended. Watch baking time closely to avoid dry muffins. If cream cheese swirl sinks, try chilling it briefly before swirling.

Nutrition

Keywords: pumpkin muffins, cream cheese swirl, cinnamon sugar streusel, fall baking, cozy muffins, easy pumpkin recipe

Find it online: https://bakebelle.com/cozy-pumpkin-cream-cheese-swirl-muffins-easy-cinnamon-sugar-streusel-recipe/