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Homemade Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins – A Fall Baking Favorite!

If you’ve ever grabbed a warm Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin from Starbucks, you know just how irresistible they are—moist, spiced pumpkin muffins filled with creamy, tangy cheesecake-style filling and topped with crunchy seeds or sugar. But here’s the best part: you can make them at home with simple ingredients, and they taste even better! These muffins are perfect for cozy breakfasts, fall brunches, or pairing with a homemade pumpkin spice latte. They store well, freeze beautifully, and fill your kitchen with the scent of autumn spices while they bake.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
bake & Cooling Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 12 muffins
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the muffins:
  • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree not pumpkin pie filling
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
For the cream cheese filling:
  • 8 oz cream cheese softened
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the topping:
  • ¼ cup pepitas pumpkin seeds, lightly salted
  • 2 tbsp coarse sugar optional, for crunch

Equipment

  • Standard 12-cup muffin tin
  • Paper liners or nonstick spray
  • Mixing bowls (large, medium, small)
  • Electric hand or stand mixer
  • Whisk
  • Rubber spatula
  • Piping bag or zip-top bag (for cream cheese filling)

Method
 

Step 1: Prepare the oven and pan
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin tin with paper liners or grease with nonstick spray.
Step 2: Mix dry ingredients
  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, pumpkin pie spice, and both sugars.
Step 3: Mix wet ingredients
  1. In a large bowl, whisk pumpkin puree, eggs, oil, and vanilla until smooth.
Step 4: Combine muffin batter
  1. Gradually fold dry mixture into wet mixture until just combined. Do not overmix.
Step 5: Make cream cheese filling
  1. In a small bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Transfer to a piping bag or zip-top bag.
Step 6: Fill muffin cups
  1. Spoon muffin batter into liners, filling about ⅔ full. Pipe ~1 tablespoon of cream cheese mixture into the center of each muffin.
Step 7: Add topping
  1. Sprinkle pepitas and coarse sugar on top of each muffin.
Step 8: Bake
  1. Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the muffin (not the cream cheese center) comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Freeze muffins (individually wrapped) for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight before serving.
Reheat briefly in the microwave for a warm, bakery-style muffin.
🥄 Variations
Nutty Topping: Use chopped pecans or walnuts instead of pepitas.
Maple Cream Cheese Filling: Add 1 tsp maple syrup to the cream cheese mixture.
Mini Muffins: Bake in a mini muffin tin for ~12 minutes.
Extra Spiced: Add a pinch of ground ginger or nutmeg.
Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
❓ 10 FAQs
Can I use pumpkin pie filling instead of puree? – No, it’s already sweetened and spiced.
Can I make these without cream cheese? – Yes, but the filling makes them special.
How do I keep the cream cheese from sinking? – The batter will rise around it, creating a perfect center.
Do I need to toast the pepitas? – Toasting enhances flavor, but raw works too.
Can I make the batter ahead of time? – It’s best baked immediately for fluffy muffins.
Can I reduce the sugar? – Yes, but it may change texture and sweetness.
Do I need a mixer for the filling? – It helps, but you can mix by hand until smooth.
Can I double the recipe? – Absolutely, perfect for a big brunch.
Do these taste like the Starbucks version? – Yes, and even fresher!
What’s the texture like? – Soft and moist pumpkin muffin with a creamy, tangy center.
🏁 Conclusion
These Homemade Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins are soft, spiced, and filled with rich cream cheese for a bakery-style treat that’s easy to make at home. With their crunchy pepita topping and cozy pumpkin flavor, they’ll be your go-to fall baking recipe.
Perfect for breakfast with coffee, dessert after dinner, or a festive addition to your Thanksgiving table—these muffins taste like fall in every bite.