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Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

A close-up of a Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin with a swirl of cream cheese frosting on top.
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A copycat recipe for bakery-style Starbucks pumpkin cream cheese muffins with a spiced pumpkin batter and a sweet cream cheese swirl. These muffins are designed to have domed tops and can be made ahead.

Ingredients

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  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 ½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
  • ¼ cup buttermilk
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon milk

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
  3. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and 1 cup of granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
  4. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract and pumpkin puree.
  5. In a small bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and ¼ cup of the pumpkin puree.
  6. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined; do not overmix.
  7. In a separate small bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon of milk until smooth.
  8. Spoon about two-thirds of the pumpkin batter into the prepared muffin cups.
  9. Dollop about 1 teaspoon of the cream cheese mixture onto the center of each muffin.
  10. Top with the remaining pumpkin batter, covering the cream cheese.
  11. Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
  12. Let the muffins cool in the tin for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

  • For make-ahead muffins, bake and cool completely, then store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 1 month.
  • To achieve domed tops, ensure your oven is fully preheated and avoid overfilling the muffin cups.
  • You can substitute your favorite meal planning service for the convenience of pre-portioned ingredients.

Nutrition

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