These pumpkin cream cheese muffins are the ultimate Starbucks copycat recipe. They are moist, super-soft, and have just the right amount of spice. These Pumpkin muffins are taken up a notch because of the cream cheese filling in the center too!
Since you’re here, I know you’ll love these Small batch pumpkin biscuits, Easy Homemade Pumpkin Pie, Easy pumpkin bread recipe as well as The Best Pumpkin Muffins with Pumpkin Streusel.
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
- Melt a little butter in a pan over medium heat.
- Add in the roughly chopped pumpkin seeds and the brown sugar and mix to coat.
- Stir constantly until caramelized then set aside.
Make the cream cheese filling
- Mix the cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract together in a medium bowl until smooth.
- Transfer the cream cheese mixture to a piping bag with no top or a ziplog bag and set aside.
Make the pumpkin muffins
- Mix the dry ingredients together until combined
- Whisk the sugar, oil, pumpkin puree, and eggs together until smooth.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture in two increments, mixing between each time.
- Scoop out the muffin batter into the lined muffin tin.
- Add in a dollop of the cream cheese muxture in the center.
- Decorate with the pumpkin seed topping on the outside.
- 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
If you made these Starbucks cream cheese muffins and enjoyed them, don’t forget to leave a 5-star review by clicking on the 5 stars under the title and description. It would help me a ton
Starbucks pumpkin cream cheese muffins
Equipment
- Stand mixer
Ingredients
For the pumpkin muffin
- 1 & ½ cup all purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 pinch all spice
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup canola oil
- ¾ cup canned pumpkin
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cream cheese fillling
- 4 oz cream cheese softened
- 2 tablespoon Granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoon milk
- 1 teaspoon flour
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Pumpkin seed topping
- 1 teaspoon butter
- 2 tablespoon pumpkin seeds
- ½ tablespoon brown sugar
Instructions
Make the Pumpkin seed topping
- Melt a little butter in a pan over medium heat.
- Add in the roughly chopped pumpkin seeds and toast for 1-2 minutes. Then add in the the brown sugar and mix to coat. Cook for 2 more minutes stirring often. Once caramelized, remove from heat and let them cool down fully.
- Once fully cooled down, roughly chopped them and set aside.
Make the cream cheese filling
- Mix the cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract together in a medium bowl until smooth.
- Transfer the cream cheese mixture to a piping bag with no tip or a zip lock bag and set aside.
Make the pumpkin muffins
- Preheat the oven to 350F then line a muffin tin with cupcake liners and set it aside.
- In a medium bowl, sift the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, all-spice, and salt. Mix well, then set aside.
- In a separate bowl, mix the granulated sugar, oil, pumpkin puree, eggs, and vanilla extract until combined.
- Scoop the pumpkin muffin batter and divide it into the 13 muffin liners. Scop the tip of the cream cheese ziplock bag and top each muffin batter liner with a little cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle some of the chopped pumpkin seeds around the pumpkin batter.
- Bake the muffins in the preheated oven for 20 minutes or until a wooden skewer inserted in the center comes out clean.
Notes
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.Nutrition
Thank you for making it all the way down here 🙂
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Julie
These muffins are easy & delicious. I doubled the batch. Don’t miss out on the yummy pumpkin seed topping, so, so good. Will definitely make again, and again. 😊
Alyssa Gottesman
I absolutely LOVE this recipe! I made them for my friends and everyone loved them too! The cream cheese pairs so well with the pumpkin muffin! I will definitely be making these again!
Chahinez
Thank you so much for giving these a try!!
Emma
amazing recipe! i ran out of regular sugar so i subbed half with brown sugar & i also added sweetened dried cherries. overall a really great recipe & i will be making these again!
Chahinez
The cherries’ addition is genius! I have to try that out soon!
Victoria
DELICIOUS!! I can’t get over how tender and moist this is! I will be making these again and again! Thank you for this recipe!
Chahinez
You’re so welcome!
Chahinez
Ana
Tasted EXACTLY like the Starbucks muffins! This was the best dupe ever and I will be making this again!
Chahinez
Thank you so much for trying it Ana! So happy to hear you enjoyed them 🙂
Chahinez