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Best Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

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These Best Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins are moist, warmly spiced, and filled with a creamy, tangy center—just like the seasonal favorite, only better homemade! Easy to make with pantry staples, they’re perfect for cozy fall mornings, afternoon coffee breaks, or festive baking days.

Ingredients

  • For the Muffins:
  • 1 cup pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling)
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • For the Cream Cheese Filling:
  • 6 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 3 tbsp powdered sugar
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • Optional Topping:
  • 2 tbsp pepitas (pumpkin seeds) or chopped walnuts

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
  2. In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, and salt.
  3. In a separate bowl, combine pumpkin purée, brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, oil, and vanilla. Mix until smooth.
  4. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined. Do not overmix.
  5. In a small bowl, beat together cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
  6. Fill each muffin cup about 2/3 full with batter. Add 1–2 teaspoons of cream cheese mixture in the center of each muffin. Gently press it down; swirl slightly if desired.
  7. Sprinkle with pepitas or chopped walnuts (optional).
  8. Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until muffins are set and a toothpick inserted near the edge (not the cream cheese) comes out clean.
  9. Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

  • Don’t use pumpkin pie filling—it’s too sweet and spiced.
  • Make your own pumpkin pie spice with cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves.
  • For gluten-free muffins, use a 1:1 GF flour blend.
  • These freeze beautifully—wrap individually and thaw as needed.
  • For a different twist, top with cinnamon streusel instead of cream cheese filling.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookedbymaya.com/best-starbucks-pumpkin-cream-cheese-muffins/