Indulge in the Ultimate Fall Treat: Decadent Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins with Streusel Topping

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins are the quintessential bakery-style treat, bringing the comforting flavors of autumn right into your home. These exquisitely soft, warmly spiced muffins are elevated with a luscious, tangy cream cheese filling that bakes into a delightful ribbon through the center, much like a mini cheesecake. This recipe is an absolute dream for cozy weekend brunches, a special addition to lunchboxes, or a delicious way to utilize any leftover pumpkin puree you might have. Prepare to fill your kitchen with the irresistible aroma of fall baking!

About These Irresistible Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

When autumn arrives, nothing quite captures the essence of the season like pumpkin-baked goods. From rich pumpkin cakes to comforting pumpkin bread, these flavors provide an unparalleled sense of warmth and coziness. There’s truly nothing quite like the soothing spices of pumpkin filling your home with an intoxicating aroma as these muffins bake in the oven.

As the holiday season approaches, especially with Thanksgiving on the horizon, I often find myself forgetting to eat breakfast amidst the flurry of preparations. These Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins are the perfect solution. They offer a substantial and utterly delicious way to start the day, ensuring you’re well-fueled before diving into the day’s festivities. After all, Thanksgiving is often the last opportunity of the year to truly indulge in pumpkin, so why not make it spectacular?

Each bite of these muffins delivers a generous taste of pumpkin, truly honoring this seasonal star. The muffins themselves are incredibly light and moist, making it nearly impossible to stop at just one. But the true magic lies in the topping – a generous layer of crumbly streusel combined with a tangy cream cheese swirl. This dynamic duo provides a delightful contrast in texture and flavor, offering both a satisfying crunch and a creamy, cheesecake-like tang that perfectly complements the fluffy pumpkin base.

Beyond their incredible taste, these muffins are remarkably quick and easy to prepare. You can whip up a batch in minutes, making them ideal for feeding holiday guests or simply enjoying a luxurious breakfast any day of the week. Forget “a piece of cake” – in my world, these are “a piece of muffin,” and you’ll want to make them again and again!

2025 Update: Originally published on November 25, 2014, this beloved recipe has consistently been one of the most popular on our site. We’ve refreshed it to include updated tips, clearer instructions, and beautiful new photographs to inspire your fall baking!

Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Recipe

Even if you’re not yet captivated by the enchantment of pumpkin season, these Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins are sure to convert you into a fervent admirer. Here’s why they’ll become a staple in your autumn baking repertoire:

Bakery-Quality Muffins at Home

Imagine biting into a muffin that tastes like it just came from your favorite gourmet coffee shop. That’s exactly what you get with this recipe, but with the added satisfaction of having made them yourself. Despite their sophisticated flavor and appearance, these muffins are surprisingly simple to create, making them perfect for both seasoned bakers and beginners alike.

The Magical Cream Cheese Swirl

The star of the show, arguably, is the rich and creamy cheesecake-like swirl. As the muffins bake, the tangy cream cheese filling gently melts and integrates with the pumpkin batter, creating a beautiful ribbon of flavor and texture in every single bite. It’s a delightful surprise that elevates these from ordinary muffins to an extraordinary treat.

Embrace the Flavors of Autumn

These muffins encapsulate the very essence of fall. The combination of sweet pumpkin puree and a blend of warm, inviting spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice instantly evokes feelings of comfort and nostalgia. Just the act of baking them will make you want to light a pumpkin-scented candle and pull on your coziest sweater, even if the weather outside is still unexpectedly warm.

Convenient Freezer-Friendly Option

Planning ahead has never tasted so good! These Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins freeze exceptionally well, meaning you can easily make a large batch, enjoy some now, and save the rest for later. Your future self will undoubtedly thank you on a busy morning when a homemade, warm muffin is just a quick microwave away.

Essential Tools and Equipment for Perfect Muffins

Having the right tools can make all the difference in your baking experience. For these Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins, a few key pieces of equipment will help ensure perfect results every time:

• Stand Mixer: A stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment is ideal for achieving a perfectly smooth and lump-free cream cheese filling. While a hand mixer can also work, a stand mixer provides consistent power and frees up your hands for other tasks.
• Mixing Bowls: You’ll need a couple of sturdy mixing bowls – one for combining the dry ingredients, another for the wet ingredients of the muffin batter, and a smaller one for the streusel topping. Stainless steel or glass bowls are excellent choices.
• Cookie Dough Scoop: To ensure evenly sized muffins and a neat transfer of batter into your muffin liners, a large cookie dough scoop (or ice cream scoop) is a fantastic tool. It makes the process much less messy and ensures each muffin bakes uniformly.
• Muffin Tin: A 12-cup muffin tin is, of course, essential. I personally favor a USA muffin tin for its excellent non-stick properties and even heat distribution, but any good quality muffin tin will yield delicious results. Consider having two on hand if you plan to double the recipe or want to get all your muffins baked in one go without waiting for the first batch to cool.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accurate measurements are crucial in baking. Ensure you have a reliable set of measuring cups for both dry and wet ingredients, as well as a set of measuring spoons for spices and extracts.
• Whisk and Spatula: A good whisk for combining dry ingredients and a flexible rubber spatula for scraping down the sides of bowls and gently folding in ingredients will be invaluable.

Key Ingredients for Your Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

The quality of your ingredients directly impacts the flavor and texture of your baked goods. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need to create these incredible Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins, along with some helpful tips:

For the Moist Pumpkin Muffin Base

• Pumpkin Purée: This is the heart of our muffins! Always use 100% pure pumpkin purée, not pumpkin pie filling. Pumpkin pie filling contains added sugars and spices that will throw off the carefully balanced flavors of this recipe. For an even more authentic taste, consider learning how to make your homemade pumpkin purée.
• All-Purpose Flour: The foundational dry ingredient, providing structure to the muffins. If you’re looking to make these gluten-free, a high-quality 1:1 gluten-free flour blend can be used as a direct substitute.
• Sugar: We use a combination of granulated sugar for sweetness and light brown sugar for its molasses notes, which add depth and moisture to the muffin batter.
• Pumpkin Pie Spice: This blend is key to achieving that classic fall flavor. If you don’t have it on hand, you can easily create your own by combining cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. Using a homemade pumpkin spice mix can make them even more special.
• Eggs: Large eggs are essential for most baking recipes, providing structure, moisture, and helping to bind ingredients together. Ensure they are at room temperature for better incorporation into the batter.
• Vanilla Extract: A touch of vanilla enhances all the other flavors. We love making our own vanilla extract for superior flavor, but a good quality store-bought extract is perfectly fine.
• Baking Powder & Baking Soda: These are our leavening agents, working together to give the muffins their characteristic lift and incredibly fluffy texture. Ensure they are fresh for optimal rise.
• Salt: Fine kosher salt balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor profile of the muffins. Never skip the salt in baking!
• Melted Butter: Unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly, adds rich flavor and moisture to the muffins.

For the Tangy Cream Cheese Swirl

• Cream Cheese: Full-fat cream cheese is highly recommended for the best texture and flavor in your cheesecake filling. However, if you’re mindful of calories, a light cream cheese can be used, though it might result in a slightly softer filling.
• Powdered Sugar: Also known as confectioners’ sugar, this finely milled sugar sweetens the cream cheese filling without leaving any gritty texture, ensuring a silky-smooth swirl.
• Egg Yolk: The egg yolk helps to stabilize the cream cheese filling, giving it a richer consistency and preventing it from becoming too runny during baking.
• Vanilla Extract: Another touch of vanilla here complements the cream cheese beautifully.

For the Irresistible Streusel Topping

• All-Purpose Flour: Forms the base of the crumbly topping.
• Brown Sugar: Provides a deep, caramel-like sweetness and helps create that wonderful crumbly texture.
• Cinnamon: Adds another layer of warm spice that pairs perfectly with the pumpkin and cream cheese.
• Cold Unsalted Butter: Cut into small cubes, cold butter is crucial for creating a truly crumbly streusel. It prevents the topping from melting too quickly and allows it to crisp up beautifully in the oven.

Step-by-Step Guide to Baking Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

Baking these delightful Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins is a straightforward process, broken down into easy, manageable steps. Follow these instructions carefully to ensure your muffins turn out perfectly moist, fluffy, and utterly delicious!

1. Prepare the Luscious Cream Cheese Filling

Begin by making the star of the show – the tangy cream cheese layer. In your stand mixer (or using a hand mixer), fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the softened cream cheese until it is completely smooth and free of any lumps. This ensures a wonderfully creamy texture. Next, add the egg yolk, vanilla extract, and granulated sugar. Beat these ingredients together until they are just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can incorporate too much air and affect the filling’s consistency. Once smooth, set this mixture aside.

2. Craft the Crumbly Streusel Topping

Now, let’s create that irresistible crunchy topping. In a small mixing bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon for the streusel. Add the cold, cubed unsalted butter to this dry mixture. Using your fingertips, work the butter into the dry ingredients. The goal is to “smush” or rub the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs, similar to wet sand. Ensure the butter is fully incorporated and the mixture is crumbly. This technique prevents the butter from melting too quickly, resulting in a perfectly crisp streusel. Set this aside as well.

3. Mix the Flavorful Pumpkin Muffin Batter

Next, it’s time to prepare the warm and aromatic pumpkin muffin batter. In a large mixing bowl, combine all the wet ingredients: pumpkin puree, eggs, melted and slightly cooled unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract. Whisk these together until they are well combined and smooth. In a separate bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ground allspice (or pumpkin pie spice). Once the dry ingredients are uniform, gradually add them to the wet ingredients. Stir gently until just incorporated. It’s crucial not to overmix the batter; a few lumps are perfectly fine and will lead to a more tender muffin.

4. Assemble Your Muffins

Preheat your oven to 350˚F (175˚C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners, lightly spraying them with cooking spray for extra insurance. Now, it’s time to layer! Fill each muffin cup about halfway with the pumpkin muffin batter. Using a tablespoon, carefully spoon about 1 tablespoon of the prepared cream cheese filling onto the center of the batter in each cup. Next, add another tablespoon of the pumpkin muffin batter on top of the cream cheese filling, gently spreading it to cover the cream cheese evenly. At this point, each muffin cup should be filled almost to the top. If not, add a little more batter until they are nicely full. Finally, generously sprinkle the prepared streusel topping over the top of each muffin, dividing it evenly.

5. Bake to Golden Perfection

Place your assembled muffin tin into the preheated oven. Bake for approximately 18 to 22 minutes, or until the muffins are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin (avoiding the cream cheese swirl for the test) comes out clean. Once baked, remove the muffin tin from the oven and allow the muffins to cool in the pan for about 5 minutes. This cooling time helps them set before you transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve them warm or at room temperature, and enjoy the delicious fruits of your labor!

Expert Tips for Pumpkin Muffin Success

To ensure your Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins turn out absolutely perfect every single time, keep these invaluable tips in mind. They’re designed to help you achieve bakery-quality results in your own kitchen:

Achieving a Smooth Cream Cheese Filling

The secret to a silky, lump-free cream cheese swirl is using room temperature cream cheese. If your cream cheese is cold and hard, it will be very difficult to beat smooth, no matter how long you mix it. Take your cream cheese out of the refrigerator at least 30 minutes to an hour before you start baking. This allows it to soften sufficiently, ensuring it blends beautifully with the other ingredients for a truly luxurious filling.

Preventing Overmixing for Fluffy Muffins

This is a golden rule for almost all muffin recipes: do not overmix the batter! Once you add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mix only until they are just combined. A few small lumps in the batter are perfectly fine and actually desirable. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour too much, leading to tough, rubbery muffins rather than the light and fluffy texture we’re aiming for. Stir gently, just until no streaks of dry flour remain.

Freezing for Future Enjoyment

These muffins are wonderfully freezer-friendly, making them perfect for meal prep or unexpected guests. Once baked and completely cooled, individually wrap each muffin tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. They can be frozen for up to two months. When you’re ready to enjoy one, simply pop a frozen muffin into the microwave for a quick, warm, and delicious snack or breakfast. They’ll taste almost as fresh as the day you baked them!

Delightful Variations to Customize Your Muffins

While these Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins are absolutely perfect as is, they also lend themselves beautifully to creative additions and modifications. Feel free to experiment with these variations to make the recipe truly your own:

• Indulge with Chocolate Chips: For a touch of decadence, fold a generous handful of semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips into the muffin batter. The melting chocolate creates a rich contrast with the pumpkin and cream cheese, making each bite feel like a luxurious pumpkin cheesecake brownie hybrid.
• Enhance with Extra Spices: If you’re a true spice lover, consider adding an extra pinch of ground cinnamon, a dash of nutmeg, or even a tiny amount of ground cloves or ginger directly to the cream cheese filling. This adds another layer of warm, aromatic complexity to the tangy swirl, elevating the overall flavor profile.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: For those with dietary restrictions, these muffins can be adapted to be gluten-free. Simply substitute the all-purpose flour with your favorite 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Be aware that the texture might be slightly different – often a bit denser or more delicate – but the incredible flavor will still shine through.
• Add a Nutty Crunch: Introduce another layer of texture and a rustic charm by folding chopped pecans or walnuts into the muffin batter. The nuts provide a satisfying crunch that complements the soft muffin and creamy filling beautifully, along with a subtle earthy flavor. Toasting the nuts lightly before adding them can enhance their flavor even further.

Craving more muffin recipes to bake? Explore our favorites: Red Velvet Muffins | Banana Bread Muffins | Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins | Banana Nutella Muffins

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

Need more inspiration for breakfast? Check out my breakfast recipes page!

Perfect Pairings: What to Serve with Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

These Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins are a delightful treat on their own, but they also make a wonderful addition to a larger spread or pair beautifully with simple accompaniments. Here are some ideas to complement their rich, spiced flavor:

• Coffee or Tea: A classic pairing! A hot cup of freshly brewed coffee, a creamy latte, or a spiced chai tea will wonderfully complement the warm notes of the pumpkin and spices in the muffins.
• Fresh Fruit: Balance the richness of the muffins with something light and refreshing. A simple fruit salad featuring apples, pears, grapes, or berries provides a lovely contrast in flavor and texture.
• Yogurt or Granola: For a more substantial breakfast, serve a muffin alongside a bowl of Greek yogurt topped with a sprinkle of granola. The tang of the yogurt and the crunch of the granola create a harmonious bite.
• Brunch Spread: Incorporate these muffins into a festive fall brunch. They would be fantastic alongside scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, a simple green salad, or even a savory quiche, offering a sweet counterpoint to the meal.
• Hot Apple Cider: Embrace the autumn theme fully by serving these muffins with a warm mug of spiced hot apple cider. The apple and pumpkin flavors are a match made in fall heaven.
• A Dollop of Whipped Cream: For an extra indulgent treat, a swirl of freshly whipped cream or a dusting of powdered sugar can elevate these muffins to dessert status.

Storage and Freezing Instructions

Proper storage is key to keeping your Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins fresh and delicious for as long as possible. Given the cream cheese filling, it’s important to store them correctly to maintain both quality and safety.

Short-Term Storage

If you plan to devour your muffins within a day or two, they can be kept loosely covered at room temperature on the counter. However, due to the cream cheese, it is generally recommended for longer storage to refrigerate them. Once the muffins have cooled completely on a wire rack, transfer them to an airtight container. Stored this way in the refrigerator, they will remain fresh and delightful for up to 5 days. Bringing them back to room temperature before serving will enhance their flavor and soften the cream cheese swirl.

Reheating for Freshness

To enjoy a warm muffin that tastes freshly baked, you can easily reheat them. Pop a refrigerated muffin into the microwave for approximately 15 to 25 seconds, or until just warmed through. Be careful not to overheat, as this can make them dry. If reheating from frozen, follow the thawing instructions first.

Long-Term Freezing

These Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins are excellent for freezing, making them a perfect make-ahead option. To freeze, ensure the muffins are completely cooled. Individually wrap each muffin tightly in plastic wrap, then an additional layer of aluminum foil, or place them into a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. This double layer of protection helps prevent freezer burn. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Thawing Tips

When you’re ready to enjoy a frozen muffin, the best way to thaw it is to transfer it from the freezer to the refrigerator overnight. This gentle thawing process helps maintain its texture. Once thawed, you can reheat it as instructed above for a warm, comforting treat.

More Pumpkin Baking Recipes to Savor This Season

If you’re anything like me, you can’t get enough of pumpkin during the fall! After you’ve enjoyed these amazing Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins, you might want to try these other delightful pumpkin recipes:

• Keep the delicious pumpkin and cream cheese combination going with our Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies – they’re soft, chewy, and bursting with fall flavor.
• For an extra indulgent treat, our Caramel Stuffed Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies are a must-try. Each cookie has a gooey caramel center that’s simply irresistible.
• Don’t forget classic Pumpkin Banana Bread with Nutella Swirl for another comforting breakfast or snack option.

Finally, if you make this Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins recipe, please be sure to give this recipe a star rating on the recipe card below and/or leave a comment! Your feedback is incredibly valuable to me; I love hearing about your baking successes and I always take the time to respond to every single comment.

Feel free to drop any questions you have in the comments section below – I’m here to help!

Oh, and please be sure to tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest if you make the recipe! It brings me so much joy to see these recipes come to life in your homes – looking through those photos is truly my favorite thing. It means the world to me!

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Pumpkin Cream Cheese Streusel Muffins

Light, moist and fluffy pumpkin muffins are perfectly complimented by the tangy layer of cream cheese and crispy streusel topping.

Prep Time: 15 minutes mins

Cook Time: 20 minutes mins

Additional Time: 5 minutes mins

Total Time: 40 minutes mins

Servings: 12 muffins

5 from 41 votes

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Equipment

• Measuring Spoons
• Wooden Spoon & Scraper
• Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls
• KitchenAid 7-Quart Pro Line Stand Mixer
• Muffin Pan

Ingredients

Muffins

• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/4 cup pumpkin puree not pumpkin filling
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1/8 tsp ground allspice
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Cream Cheese

• 12 oz cream cheese
• 1 egg yolk
• 2 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 5 Tbsp sugar

Streusel Topping

• 4 1/2 Tbsp flour
• 3/4 tsp cinnamon
• 3 Tbsp brown sugar
• 6 Tbsp cold unsalted butter cut into ¼” cubes

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350˚F. Line two 12-cup muffin tins with baking cups and lightly spray with cooking spray.
• For the cream cheese layer, beat cream cheese in a stand mixer until smooth. Add in egg yolk, vanilla, and sugar, beating until combined. Set aside.
• For the streusel topping, add streusel ingredients to a small bowl. Use your fingers to cut in the butter until the mixture is crumbly and butter is incorporated. Set aside.
• For the muffin batter, stir pumpkin puree, eggs, melted butter, sugar, and vanilla extract together in a medium bowl until well combined. Stir in flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices until fully incorporated.
• Fill muffin cups just about halfway with the batter. Add one Tbsp of cream cheese mixture to the top of each. Add one Tbsp of the muffin batter on top, making sure it covers the cream cheese evenly. Each cup should be filled just to the top. Sprinkle with streusel topping evenly.
• Bake 18 to 22 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted in the center. Cool for approximately 5 minutes and remove from pan. Serve.

Nutrition

Serving: 1muffin |
Calories: 262kcal |
Carbohydrates: 34.5g |
Protein: 3.2g |
Fat: 13.8g |
Saturated Fat: 7.2g |
Cholesterol: 46.4mg |
Sodium: 168mg |
Fiber: 1.1g |
Sugar: 24.1g

Calories: 262kcal

Category: Breakfast