Embracing Fall with Pumpkin Cream Cheese Swirl Muffins
As the air turns crisp and the leaves begin to change, there’s nothing more comforting than the warm, spicy aroma of pumpkin filling the kitchen.
Saturdays in our home are all about family breakfasts, and this weekend, I’m treating my loved ones to a batch of Pumpkin Cream Cheese Swirl Muffins.
These muffins are not only delicious and festive, but they also bring a touch of seasonal magic to our mornings.
Pumpkin cream cheese swirl muffins are a wonderful way to celebrate fall, offering the perfect balance of sweetness and spice.
The addition of a creamy, tangy swirl of cream cheese takes these muffins to a whole new level, making them irresistible.
Plus, they’re easy to make and can be enjoyed by everyone in the family.
Table of Contents
Ingredients for Pumpkin Muffins
- 1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin spice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 15 oz pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup sugar (or substitute with honey or maple syrup)
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Ingredients for Cream Cheese Swirl
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 4 tablespoons sugar (or substitute with honey or maple syrup)
- 1 egg yolk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preparing the Muffins
Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a muffin tin with paper liners or lightly grease with cooking spray.
Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, pumpkin spice, and salt. Set aside.
Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, combine the pumpkin puree, sugar, brown sugar, eggs, olive oil, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth and well combined.
Combine: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the muffins tough.
Preparing the Cream Cheese Swirl
Mix: In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the sugar (or honey/maple syrup), egg yolk, and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined and creamy.
Assembling the Muffins
Fill Muffin Tins: Fill each muffin cup about 2/3 full with the pumpkin batter.
Add Cream Cheese Swirl: Drop a tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture on top of the pumpkin batter in each muffin cup. Use a toothpick or a skewer to gently swirl the cream cheese into the batter.
Bake: Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
Cool: Allow the muffins to cool in the tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Popular Recipes
Can I Substitute Honey or Maple Syrup for White Sugar?
For those looking to reduce refined sugar in their diet or simply prefer a different flavor profile, honey or maple syrup are excellent substitutes for the sugar in this recipe.
Here’s how you can make the swap:
Honey: Replace the 1/2 cup of sugar with 1/3 cup of honey. Honey is sweeter than sugar, so you need less of it. Additionally, reduce the liquid in the recipe by a tablespoon to balance the extra moisture from the honey.
Maple Syrup: Substitute 1/2 cup of sugar with 1/3 cup of pure maple syrup. Like honey, maple syrup adds extra moisture, so reduce the other liquids in the recipe by about a tablespoon.
These adjustments will help maintain the right sweetness and consistency in your recipe.
These natural sweeteners not only make the muffins healthier but also add a rich, nuanced flavor that complements the pumpkin and spices beautifully.
What else can I serve with the Pumpkin Cream Cheese Swirl Muffins?
Pumpkin Cream Cheese Swirl Muffins are a wonderful centerpiece for a hearty fall breakfast.
To make the meal even more satisfying, consider pairing them with:
Scrambled Eggs with Veggies: Lightly seasoned scrambled eggs with sautéed vegetables like bell peppers, spinach, and onions make a nutritious and savory side.
Sausage: Whether you prefer pork, chicken, or turkey sausage, adding some protein to the meal helps keep everyone full and energized.
Fresh Fruit Salad: A mix of seasonal fruits adds a refreshing contrast to the rich muffins. Consider apples, pears, grapes, and diced bananas.
Greek Yogurt with Granola or Fresh Nuts: Serve creamy Greek yogurt topped with homemade granola or a handful of fresh nuts for added crunch and nutrition.
Why your family will love these muffins!
These Pumpkin Cream Cheese Swirl Muffins are sure to be a hit with the whole family.
The warm, spicy flavors of the pumpkin and the creamy, tangy swirl make for an irresistible combination that everyone will love.
Plus, they’re easy to make and perfect for a cozy fall morning.
So, gather your ingredients, invite the kids to help in the kitchen, and enjoy the process of baking these delightful muffins together.
There’s no better way to start a Saturday than with the aroma of pumpkin spice and the joy of sharing a delicious homemade pumpkin cream cheese swirl muffins for breakfast with your loved ones.
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Pumpkin Cream Cheese Swirl Muffins
Ingredients
Pumpkin Muffin Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin spice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 15 oz pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup sugar or substitute with honey or maple syrup
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Cream Cheese Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 4 tablespoons sugar or substitute with honey or maple syrup
- 1 egg yolk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
Preparing the Muffins
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a muffin tin with paper liners or lightly grease with cooking spray.
- Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, pumpkin spice, and salt. Set aside.
- Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, combine the pumpkin puree, sugar, brown sugar, eggs, olive oil, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth and well combined.
- Combine: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the muffins tough.
Preparing the Cream Cheese Swirl
- Mix: In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the sugar (or honey/maple syrup), egg yolk, and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined and creamy.
Assembling the Muffins
- Fill Muffin Tins: Fill each muffin cup about 2/3 full with the pumpkin batter.
- Add Cream Cheese Swirl: Drop a tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture on top of the pumpkin batter in each muffin cup. Use a toothpick or a skewer to gently swirl the cream cheese into the batter.
- Bake: Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
- Cool: Allow the muffins to cool in the tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tried this recipe for yourself? Leave a comment and photos below!
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Nutrition Disclaimer: Our Family Cooks is not a dietitian or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
