Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins copycat

This is the best Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

If you have never tried the Starbucks pumpkin cream cheese muffins, you need to run and grab yourself some… Or better yet, make them at home because they’re insanely good!

Yesterday, a friend gave me a Starbucks pumpkin cream cheese muffin and I immediately thought that I needed to recreate it. It was so soft and fluffy with a smooth, yet not too sweet cream cheese center… PERFECTION!

Immediately, I knew that this recipe had to be recreated because if you’re like me, you’re gonna crave this pumpkin muffin year-round.

Why you need to make this recipe!

• This recipe is very easy and yields super moist pumpkin muffins
• You’ll save a ton of money by making them at home.
• They are filled with just the right amout of cream cheese filling.
• You will be able to have them anytime thgouhout the year, no need to wait for fall to enjoy them at Starbucks.

Ingredients for this Starbucks pumpkin muffin recipe

Here are the ingredients you will need to make these muffins at home. Make sure to scroll down to the recipe card for the full detailed ingredient measurements.

• Cream cheese- The cream cheese will need to be softened to make the cream cheese filling of these muffins
• Flour– All purpose flour works great for this muffin recipe.
• Baking soda– Baking soda will give these muffins the nice lift you see in the photos.
• Cinnamon, ground cloves, nutmeg, all spice– All of the fall spices are united to make the perfect fragrant muffin!
• Salt– Salt to keep the sweetness balanced.
• Granulated sugar– White granulated sugar will be used both for the muffins as well as the cream cheese filling
• Brown sugar- This recipe needs a little brown sugar to toast the seeds in.
• Canola oil– Canola oil has a light flavor to let the rest of the ingredients shine.
• Canned pumpkin– I like using Libby’s canned pumpkin. It makes for the perfect muffins!
• Eggs– The eggs need to be at room temperature.
• Vanilla extract– The vanilla extract will add extra depth of flavor to these muffins.
• Pumpkin seeds/pepitas– The praline used on top of the actual Starbucks muffins is made using pumpkin seeds so to stay true to the roots of this recipe, we will do the same here as well.
• Butter– The butter is used to make the streusel as well.

How to make Starbucks pumpkin cream cheese muffins

This is how you can make these muffins at home Make sure to scroll down to the recipe card for the full detailed instructions!

Make the Pumpkin seed topping

1. Melt a little butter in a pan over medium heat.
2. Add in the roughly chopped pumpkin seeds and the brown sugar and mix to coat.
3. Stir constantly until caramelized then set aside.

Make the cream cheese filling

1. Mix the cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract together in a medium bowl until smooth.
2. Transfer the cream cheese mixture to a piping bag with no top or a ziplog bag and set aside.

Make the pumpkin muffins

1. Mix the dry ingredients together until combined
2. Whisk the sugar, oil, pumpkin puree, and eggs together until smooth.
3. Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture in two increments, mixing between each time.
4. Scoop out the muffin batter into the lined muffin tin.
5. Add in a dollop of the cream cheese muxture in the center.
6. Decorate with the pumpkin seed topping on the outside.
7. Bake in the preheated oven.

Frequently asked questions – FAQ

Do I have to add the pumpkin seeds on top of these muffins?

To get a closer copycat to the Starbucks muffins, yes, but in reality, you should do whatever you want. These cheesecake pumpkin muffins are definitely better with the caramelized pepitas but if you don’t have them you can either top this muffin with any other chopped candied nut, a sprinkle of cinnamon, granulated sugar, or just leave out.

How to store pumpkin cheesecake muffins

Since these pumpkin muffins have cream cheese in the center, it is preferable to keep them stored in an air-tight container in the fridge.

They will last for up to 4 days this way. Once you’re ready to enjoy them you can have them as is, straight out of the fridge. Warmed up for a few seconds in the microwave or the oven, or even just at room temperature. This will depend on your personal preference.

Can I freeze the Starbucks pumpkin cream cheese muffins?

Yes, you can also freeze these muffins for later. Wrap each muffin with plastic wrap then place in an air-tight container and freeze for up to 2 months.

You can let them thaw in the fridge overnight or just warm them up in the microwave before enjoying them.

Starbucks pumpkin cream cheese muffins

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