Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins
Ingredients:
Muffin Batter:
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 ½ tsp pumpkin pie spice (or mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves)
- ¾ cup canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup whole milk (or any milk of your choice)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Cream Cheese Filling:
- 4 oz cream cheese (softened)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg yolk
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Topping:
- ¼ cup roasted pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
- 1 tbsp coarse sugar (optional, for a crunchy top)
Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling
1. In a small bowl, mix together softened cream cheese, sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla extract. Whisk until smooth and creamy.
2. Cover and refrigerate while you prepare the muffin batter to let it slightly firm up.
#### Step 2: Prepare the Muffin Batter
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with paper liners or grease it lightly.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin pie spice.
3. In a separate large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, granulated sugar, brown sugar, oil, eggs, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and fully combined.
4. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the muffins dense.
Step 3: Assemble the Muffins
1. Fill each muffin cup with batter, about ⅔ full.
2. Spoon about 1 to 1 ½ teaspoons of the chilled cream cheese mixture into the center of each muffin, pressing it down slightly.
3. Sprinkle pumpkin seeds (pepitas) and coarse sugar on top for added texture and flavor.
Step 4: Bake the Muffins
1. Bake in the preheated oven for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the muffin (away from the cream cheese center) comes out clean.
2. Allow the muffins to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
