Pumpkin Muffins with Maple Cream Cheese Filling

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Pumpkin muffins are a beloved fall treat, but these take it to the next level with the addition of a rich, maple cream cheese filling. The muffins are soft, moist, and bursting with warm spices like cinnamon and cloves. The maple cream cheese filling is a velvety surprise inside each muffin, giving them a decadent twist. Topped with a cinnamon sugar coating, these muffins are the perfect combination of sweet, spiced, and creamy. Whether served at a brunch, as an afternoon snack, or as a comforting dessert, these muffins are guaranteed to impress.

Ingredients

For the Pumpkin Muffins:

1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1 1/2 cups pumpkin puree
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
1/4 cup milk
1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
3/4 teaspoon salt

For the Cinnamon Sugar Topping:

1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted

For the Maple Cream Cheese Filling:

3/4 cup heavy cream
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup maple syrup (to taste)

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

For the Pumpkin Muffins:

1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin tin with paper liners or lightly grease the muffin cups.
2. Prepare the wet ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth. Add the pumpkin puree, vanilla extract, eggs, and milk, and mix until fully combined.
3. Combine the dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ground cloves, and salt.
4. Mix wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring just until combined. Do not overmix.
5. Fill the muffin cups: Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin tin, filling each cup about halfway.

For the Maple Cream Cheese Filling:

1. Whisk the filling ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, softened cream cheese, and maple syrup until smooth and creamy. You can adjust the sweetness by adding more maple syrup to taste.
2. Fill the muffins with cream cheese mixture: Use a spoon to place a small dollop of the maple cream cheese filling in the center of each muffin, gently pressing it into the batter.

For the Cinnamon Sugar Topping:

1. Make the topping: In a small bowl, combine the granulated sugar and cinnamon. Drizzle the melted butter over the sugar mixture and stir until the butter is incorporated and the mixture is evenly coated.
2. Top the muffins: Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture generously over the muffins before baking.

Baking:

1. Bake the muffins: Bake the muffins for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the muffin (not the filling) comes out clean. The tops should be golden brown.
2. Cool the muffins: Allow the muffins to cool in the tin for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Serve:

Once the muffins have cooled, serve them as a delicious breakfast or dessert. Enjoy the soft, spiced muffin with the rich maple cream cheese filling and the sweet cinnamon sugar topping!

Servings and Timing

• Servings: 12 muffins
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 18-22 minutes
• Total Time: 35-40 minutes

Variations

• Spices: Add a pinch of ground ginger or nutmeg to the batter for extra warmth and depth of flavor.
• Nuts: Stir in some chopped pecans or walnuts into the muffin batter for added texture and flavor.
• Dairy-Free: For a dairy-free version, substitute the cream cheese and heavy cream with non-dairy alternatives like coconut cream and dairy-free cream cheese.
• Maple Cream Cheese Variation: If you prefer less sweetness in the cream cheese filling, reduce the amount of maple syrup or substitute with honey or agave syrup.

Storage/Reheating

• Storage: Store leftover muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• Freezing: You can freeze the muffins for up to 2 months. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Thaw at room temperature or warm them up in the microwave before serving.

FAQs

Can I make these muffins ahead of time?

Yes, you can make the muffins a day ahead of time and store them in an airtight container. They’ll stay fresh and moist.

Can I use pumpkin pie filling instead of pure pumpkin puree?

No, it’s best to use pure pumpkin puree for this recipe. Pumpkin pie filling contains added spices and sugar, which will alter the flavor of the muffins.

Can I use a different filling instead of maple cream cheese?

You can substitute the maple cream cheese filling with a simple cream cheese frosting or even a spiced buttercream if you prefer a different flavor.

Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?

Yes, you can substitute up to half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a slightly denser, healthier muffin.

How do I know when the muffins are done?

The muffins are done when a toothpick inserted into the center of the muffin (not the filling) comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. The tops should also be golden brown.

Can I make these muffins without the cinnamon sugar topping?

Yes, you can skip the cinnamon sugar topping if you prefer a less sweet muffin or want to reduce sugar content.

Can I make these muffins without the filling?

Absolutely! You can make these as simple pumpkin muffins by omitting the maple cream cheese filling. They will still be delicious and full of flavor.

Can I make these muffins gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for the regular flour to make these muffins gluten-free.

Can I add chocolate chips to the batter?

Yes, you can add chocolate chips or chopped chocolate to the batter for a chocolaty twist on these muffins.

How can I make these muffins even more flavorful?

To enhance the flavor, you can add a splash of orange zest or a few drops of maple extract to the muffin batter or the filling.

Conclusion

Pumpkin Muffins with Maple Cream Cheese Filling are the ultimate fall treat, combining the comforting flavors of pumpkin and spices with the richness of maple cream cheese. The soft, moist muffins are topped with a sweet cinnamon sugar topping and filled with a creamy, indulgent surprise. Perfect for any fall gathering or cozy morning, these muffins will quickly become a seasonal favorite that everyone will love. Enjoy them fresh out of the oven or warmed up with a cup of coffee or tea!

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