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Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

posted September 25, 2025 by Cassandra Morris
These pumpkin cream cheese muffins are soft, spiced, and filled with a rich cream cheese center, just like the Starbucks pumpkin cream cheese muffins—but even better homemade! Topped with crunchy pumpkin seeds, they bake up with tall, bakery-style domes and cozy fall flavour in every bite.
Close-up of a pumpkin muffin with a creamy cream cheese center and pumpkin seeds on top.

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins Recipe

These pumpkin cream cheese muffins are soft, spiced, and filled with a rich cream cheese center, just like the Starbucks pumpkin cream cheese muffins—but even better homemade! Topped with crunchy pumpkin seeds, they bake up with tall, bakery-style domes and cozy fall flavour in every bite.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 12 muffins

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

  • cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon of baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • teaspoons of cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon of pumpkin pie spice

Wet Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup granulated white sugar
  • 3/4 light brown sugar
  • cups pure pumpkin puree
  • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup salted butter melted and cooled
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 2 large eggs room temperature, whisked
  • pumpkin seeds for topping

Cream Cheese Filling

  • 6 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 3 tablespoons granulated white sugar
  • 3/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour
  • pinch of salt

Instructions

  • Preheat the Oven – Preheat to 425°F (218°C). Spray a 12-count muffin pan with nonstick spray or line with cupcake liners.
  • Make the Cream Cheese Filling – Beat together the cream cheese, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and flour with a hand mixer for about 2 minutes until smooth.
  • Mix the Dry Ingredients – In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice. Set aside.
  • Mix the Wet Ingredients – In a medium bowl, whisk the brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, pumpkin, melted butter, milk, and vanilla extract until combined.
  • Combine Wet and Dry – Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Avoid over-mixing to keep the muffins tender.
  • Fill the Muffin Pan – Use a cookie scoop to evenly divide the batter into the 12 muffin cups, filling almost to the top for bakery-style domes.
  • Add the Cream Cheese Filling – Transfer the filling to a piping bag or zip-top bag with the corner cut off. Insert the tip halfway into each muffin, squeeze as you lift, and fill the center until it reaches the top. You may have a little bit of leftover filling.
  • Add the Pumpkin Seeds – Sprinkle pumpkin seeds around the edges of each muffin, keeping the cream cheese center visible.
  • Bake – Bake at 425°F (218°C) for 5 minutes. Without opening the oven, reduce the temperature to 350°F (177°C) and bake for another 12 -15 minutes, for a total bake time of around 20 minutes.
  • Cool – Let muffins cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • Store – Cover tightly and store at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 1 week.
Cassandra | Cooking With Cassandra

Hi, I'm Cassandra!

 I’m so happy you’re here! I’m here to spill the beans (and maybe some wine) on the best, tested-till-perfect recipes for every occasion. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, all of my recipes come with clear, easy-to-follow step-by-step directions, plus helpful tips and tricks to make cooking delicious meals easy for everyone. Let’s get cooking and make every meal a success!

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Cassandra | Cooking With Cassandra

Hi, I'm Cassandra!

 I’m so happy you’re here! I’m here to spill the beans (and maybe some wine) on the best, tested-till-perfect recipes for every occasion. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, all of my recipes come with clear, easy-to-follow step-by-step directions, plus helpful tips and tricks to make cooking delicious meals easy for everyone. Let’s get cooking and make every meal a success!

Learn more

Next clipart | cookingwithcassandra.com

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