Pumpkin Spice Muffins with Cream Cheese filling are super moist and filled with all of the tantalizing pumpkin flavors. Inspired by Starbucks Pumpkin Muffins.

These Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies and this Pumpkin Honey Bun Cake are a must try for all the delicious fall flavors!

Jump to:

What is the difference between these and Starbuck's Pumpkin Muffins?
Ingredients needed for the muffins:
Supplies needed to make the muffins:
How to store cooked muffins:
To freeze and reheat the muffins:
Making the Cream Cheese Filling:
How to pipe the cream cheese filling in after the muffins cook:
Piping the cream cheese filling into the pumpkin muffins prior to baking:
📖 Recipe

Pumpkin spice and everything nice! These Pumpkin Spice Muffins were inspired by the same variation that Starbucks comes out with every fall. Most people that have had the pleasure of trying them know the deal!

What is the difference between these and Starbuck's Pumpkin Muffins?

One of the greatest differences is the omission of the oats/pumpkin seeds on the top. Another variation is the option to either bake the cream cheese filling with the muffins, or add it after they cool down (which is the method pictured here).

Nonetheless, I have made them both ways, and they're equally delicious! In reality, it is a preference thing, either the cream cheese is cooked and warm, or it is cool and acts as a sort of frosting.

Ingredients needed for the muffins:

Dry Ingredients: Flour, sugar, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and powdered sugar.
Wet Ingredients: Pumpkin purée, one large egg, cream cheese, milk

Supplies needed to make the muffins:

A stand mixer, hand mixer, or whisk
Large bowl
Cupcake or muffin pan
Cupcake liners and/or non-stick cooking spray
Pastry piping bag or Ziploc bag

How to store cooked muffins:

If there area any leftover muffins store them in an airtight container and place them in the refrigerator. Since the muffins are made with a cream cheese filling, refrigeration is highly suggested.

These muffins are amazing for a grab-and-go breakfast. They are amazing with a piping hot cup of coffee, or simply all by themselves.

To freeze and reheat the muffins:

Once each muffin cools down completely wrap them individually with a piece of plastic wrap. Place the wrapped muffins in a tupperware container with a lid and freeze for up to one month.

This is the perfect solution to make ahead and eat them one-bye-one. To reheat, remove the desired amount of muffins from the freezer. Simply unwrap the muffin and heat in the microwave for 30 second intervals.

Making the Cream Cheese Filling:

Ensure that the cream cheese is at room temperature. Basically, leave it out of the refrigerator a good 15 minutes. Place the cream cheese, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla in a bowl.

Stir the cream cheese mixture together, using a whisk or a hand mixer until it is thoroughly combined. The mixture should be smooth and creamy, and slightly thinner than typical frosting.

Add more milk to the cream cheese if it is too thick. Be careful to add it a very little bit at a time so it does not become too runny.

How to pipe the cream cheese filling in after the muffins cook:

Using a pastry piping bag is highly recommended; however, Ziploc bag works just as well though! With a piping bag with a tip, simply place the cream cheese mixture into the bag. Next, push the tip into the center of the muffin, not all the way down to the bottom, and pipe the filling into the muffin until it overflows over the top.

To use a Ziploc bag, place the cream cheese filling into one corner of the bag, zip it up, and cut of about ¼ of the tip of the bag. Using a butter knife, dig out a shallow hole in the middle of the muffin.

Pipe the cream cheese mixture into the shallow hole until it is slightly overflowing over the top of the muffin. This method is ready to eat immediately!

Piping the cream cheese filling into the pumpkin muffins prior to baking:

Starbucks pumpkin muffins has the cream cheese filling directly baked into them. Having tried this method, it is equally delicious. Simply fill the cupcake liners with the batter. Next, pipe the cream cheese filling directly into the center of the batter.

The cream cheese filling will sink a bit. Bake them as normal, and the cream cheese will magically appear back towards the top when they are finished!

📖 Recipe

pumpkin muffin with cream cheese filling sitting on a white plate

Pumpkin Spice Muffins with Cream Cheese Filling Recipe

Pumpkin Spice Muffins with Cream Cheese filling are super moist and filled with all of the tantalizing pumpkin flavors. Inspired by Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins.

Print Recipe Save Rate Recipe

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 20

Total Time: 30

Course: Desserts

Cuisine: American

Keyword: dessert, fall desserts, holiday dessert, muffins, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin spice

Servings: Muffins

Calories: 226kcal

Author: Tamara J.

Ingredients

1½ cup All purpose flour
¾ cup Granulated sugar
1 teaspoon Baking soda
1 teaspoon Baking powder
1 teaspoon Pumpkin pie spice
¼ teaspoon Salt
1½ cup Pumpkin puree
¼ cup Butter unsalted
1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
1 large Egg

Cream Cheese Filling

6 ounces Cream cheese softened
½ cup Powdered sugar
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1 tablespoon Milk

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a muffin pan with cupcake liners and/or non-stick cooking spray.
In a stand mixer, or a large bowl combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. Mix it up until combined well.
In a separate bowl combine the pumpkin puree, butter, vanilla extract, and the egg. Mix it well so that it is thoroughly combined.
Add the wet ingredients into the large ingredients and mix with the stand mixer, or a whisk until it combined and fully incorporated.
Using a scoop or a large spoon, fill the cupcake liners until they are about ¾ full.

For the Cream Cheese Filling:

Place the softened, vanilla extract, powdered sugar, and milk in a bowl and whisk it until it is fully combined. It should have a thick creamy texture.
Place the cream cheese filling into a pastry bag, or into the corner of a Ziploc bag. Snip the tip of of the Ziploc bag off.
METHOD ONE TO BAKE: Squeeze a dollop of the cream cheese mixture into the middle of the muffins, it will sink a bit. Bake the muffins in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
METHOD TWO AFTER THEY BAKE: Bake the muffins for 18-20 minutes. Once the muffins cool, make a hole in the middle (using a butter knife) going half-way down.
Pipe the cream cheese mixture into the hole until it seeps out over the top. Enjoy immediately.