Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

This simple bakery trick keeps the cream cheese perfectly creamy in the center just like Starbucks.

These homemade Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins bring all the cozy fall flavors you love in a warm, soft, bakery-style treat. They’re tender, perfectly spiced, and filled with a silky swirl of sweet cream cheese. They feel right at home on Pinterest thanks to their rustic look, crackly muffin tops, and that signature creamy center. If you enjoy baking fall treats, you may also love these cinnamon sugar donut muffins.

The secret? Chill the cream cheese filling for 10 minutes before adding it , it helps it stay thick and creamy instead of sinking as the muffins bake.

Why You’ll Love It

• Perfect fall flavor: Pumpkin, warm spices, and a soft crumb.
• Creamy center: Sweetened cream cheese melts into the muffin as it bakes.
• Pinterest-friendly look: Cracked tops, frosting-style swirl, and a warm autumn vibe.
• Simple ingredients: Pantry staples with canned pumpkin.

Ingredients

Everything you need to make these muffins at home:

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup pumpkin purée (not pie filling)
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1 tsp cinnamon

For the cream cheese filling:

• 6 oz cream cheese, softened
• 3 tbsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

If you want more pumpkin inspiration, check out this pumpkin bread recipe or my favorite soft fall treat, soft pumpkin cookies with cinnamon frosting.

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F. Line a muffin pan with paper liners or lightly grease it.
2. In a large bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice.
3. In another bowl, whisk pumpkin, sugar, brown sugar, eggs, oil, and vanilla until smooth.
4. Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and whisk just until combined. Do not overmix.
5. In a small bowl, mix the softened cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until creamy.
6. Chill the filling: Place the bowl of cream cheese filling in the freezer for 8–10 minutes.
   This helps the center stay creamy and prevents it from sinking.
7. Fill each muffin cup about 3/4 full with pumpkin batter.
8. Add 1 tablespoon of the chilled cream cheese mixture to the center of each muffin. Press it in gently — chilling it helps keep the center thick and creamy as it bakes.
9. Bake for 18–21 minutes, or until the tops spring back when touched.
10. Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack.

Tips & Variations

• Baker’s Secret: Chill the cream cheese filling for 10 minutes before spooning it in it keeps the center thick and creamy, just like the real Starbucks muffins.Add crunch: Sprinkle pumpkin seeds on top for that trendy fall bakery look.
• Make it extra moist: Replace 2 tbsp of oil with Greek yogurt.
• Try a cinnamon swirl: Mix 1 tbsp cinnamon with 2 tbsp brown sugar and dust over the top before baking.
• Add a glaze: Drizzle warm vanilla glaze once cooled.

Substitutions

• Dairy-free: Use dairy-free cream cheese and replace eggs with flax eggs.
• Lower sugar: Reduce brown sugar by 1/4 cup without affecting texture.
• Gluten-free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve warm with a pat of butter or cinnamon honey.
• Pair with a hot latte or homemade fall drink.
• Top with whipped cream for a cozy dessert-style muffin.

Storage & Reheating

• Store in an airtight container for 3 days at room temperature.
• Refrigerate for up to 5 days.
• Freeze for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the fridge.
• Reheat in the microwave for 10–12 seconds for a warm center.

FAQs

More to Try

• Cinnamon Banana Bread Muffins
• Easy Pumpkin Muffins
• Cinnamon Sugar Donut Muffins
• Cozy Pumpkin Bread Recipe
• Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cinnamon Frosting

Conclusion

These Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins are warm, soft, and filled with rich cream cheese — everything you want in a cozy fall bake. They’re Pinterest-worthy, easy to make, and perfect for crisp mornings or holiday gatherings. Try a batch and enjoy the perfect mix of pumpkin, spice, and creamy goodness.

Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

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• Author: Sarah
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 12 muffins 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Warm, soft, bakery-style pumpkin muffins filled with sweet cream cheese. These cozy Starbucks copycats are perfectly spiced, incredibly moist, and ideal for crisp fall mornings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup pumpkin purée (not pie filling)
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• Cream cheese filling:
• 6 oz cream cheese, softened
• 3 tbsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a muffin pan with paper liners or lightly grease it.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk pumpkin, sugar, brown sugar, eggs, oil, and vanilla until smooth.
4. Add dry ingredients to wet mixture and mix just until combined. Do not overmix.
5. In a small bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
6. Chill the filling: Place the cream cheese mixture in the freezer for 8–10 minutes to firm up.
7. Fill muffin cups 3/4 full with pumpkin batter. Add 1 tablespoon of chilled cream cheese to the center of each muffin and gently press in.
8. Bake for 18–21 minutes, until muffin tops spring back when touched.
9. Let cool in pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack to finish cooling.

Notes

Bakery Tip: Chill the cream cheese filling before baking to keep the center thick and creamy — just like Starbucks.

FAQs

Can I double the recipe?
Yes, this recipe doubles easily for larger batches.

Can I use pumpkin pie filling?
No — use pure pumpkin purée for the best results.

Why did my muffins sink?
This usually happens from overmixing or underbaking. Be sure to bake until the tops are set and bounce back.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Breakfast
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 muffin
• Calories: 280
• Sugar: 22g
• Sodium: 250mg
• Fat: 12g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 38g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 3g
• Cholesterol: 35mg

Keywords: pumpkin muffins, Starbucks copycat, cream cheese, fall baking, spiced muffins