Pumpkin and Cream Cheese Muffins (Starbucks Copycat)

Crafting fluffy, aromatic muffins doesn’t always demand a lot of time. This recipe has been designed to deliver the rich taste of pumpkin muffins with a creamy cheese swirl, taking you from start to table in just 30 minutes. Our approach focuses on efficiency, combining quick steps to ensure a reliable outcome without unnecessary complexity. It’s a method for achieving a delightful homemade treat that effortlessly fits into busy mornings or satisfies a sudden craving for something special, ensuring your day flows smoothly and deliciously.

Quick Overview

• Preparation Time: 12 minutes
• Cooking Time: 18 minutes
• Difficulty: Easy
• Serves: 12

Ingredients

• 7 oz (200g) plain flour
• 5.3 oz (150g) light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
• 7 oz (200g) pumpkin purée (canned, not pie filling)
• 1 large egg
• 2 fl oz (60ml) vegetable oil (such as sunflower or corn oil)
• 2 fl oz (60ml) whole milk
• 3.5 oz (100g) cream cheese (such as Philadelphia), at room temperature
• 2 tablespoons icing sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Method

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C), or 350°F (180°C) for fan ovens. Line a 12-hole muffin tin with paper cases.
2. In a large bowl, combine the plain flour, light brown sugar, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, ground cinnamon, freshly grated nutmeg, and fine salt. Whisk well to combine.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the pumpkin purée, egg, vegetable oil, and whole milk until smooth.
4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently mix with a spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
5. In a small bowl, whisk the cream cheese, icing sugar, and vanilla extract until you have a smooth cream.
6. Divide the muffin batter evenly among the paper cases, filling them about two-thirds full. Spoon a teaspoon of the cream cheese mixture onto the top of each muffin and create a slight swirl with a cocktail stick.
7. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a cocktail stick inserted into the centre of a muffin comes out clean. Allow to cool in the tin for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Serving & Leftovers

These muffins are best served warm, but are equally delicious at room temperature. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days or in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Nutrition

Nutritional values are estimates and may vary depending on ingredients and portions.

One Last Thing

Having a dependable method for quick bakes like these muffins truly transforms your everyday cooking. It’s about replicating an efficient process, achieving gratifying results with minimal effort. Enjoying homemade flavours, even on busy days, means no need to resort to pre-packaged options.