As the leaves begin to turn and a crispness fills the air, there’s one flavor that truly captures the essence of autumn: pumpkin spice. And when that iconic blend of aromatic spices meets velvety cream cheese in a fluffy muffin, magic happens. These **Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese Muffins** are more than just a baked good; they are the quintessential treat of Fall. Filled with a delightful array of autumn spices, generously stuffed with a rich cream cheese swirl, and crowned with crunchy, sugared pepitas, this recipe is destined to become your absolute favorite for pumpkin spice indulgence.

If your heart beats for all things pumpkin spice, you absolutely must also try these Pumpkin Spice S’mores Bars for another incredible seasonal delight!

Embracing Autumn: The Season of Pumpkin Spice and Cozy Baking

Here it is, folks! The much-anticipated first pumpkin recipe of the year gracing the blog! Get ready, because Fall is not just arriving; it’s sweeping in with a delightful rush. Everywhere you look, from grocery store aisles to coffee shop menus, the comforting presence of pumpkin, apple, and various squashes signals the change of season. I’ve wholeheartedly embraced this beautiful transformation. This past week, a distinct chill in the air ignited my baking instincts, sending me straight to the kitchen. That refreshing nip always reminds me of the warmth and joy of baking, so I decided to whip up a batch of everyone’s beloved **Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese Muffins**.

Why These Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese Muffins Will Be Your New Obsession

Now, I can almost hear your thoughts. “Ugh, another pumpkin spice recipe?” I know, I know. The internet is undeniably flooded with them, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume. But please, hear me out on this one. These aren’t just *good*; they are truly exceptional, and I’m not saying that merely because they’re my creation. The proof is in the pudding, or rather, in the muffins! My sister, who can be quite discerning, absolutely adored them. And since my husband was out of town – and I typically share my baking experiments with his colleagues – I enlisted her help. She took them to her workplace, and the feedback was unanimous: everyone raved about them! That’s a testament from at least ten different people who were genuinely impressed. These aren’t just *any* pumpkin spice muffins; they are the ones that win over even the toughest critics.

The Irresistible Allure of Homemade Pumpkin Spice Muffins

My history with pumpkin spice runs deep. Back when I worked at a certain well-known coffee shop – the very establishment that ignited the global PSL (Pumpkin Spice Latte) craze – these muffins, alongside their unbelievably delicious pumpkin scones, would quite literally fly off the shelves. That scone, in particular, was truly legendary! I remember our nightly routine of taking pastry items out of the freezer to thaw for the next day. Oh, wait, was that a trade secret I just let slip? My apologies, but yes, there isn’t a dedicated baker in the back meticulously preparing fresh muffins, scones, and breakfast sandwiches from scratch every morning. They all arrive frozen. But honestly, who cares when they taste so good? Right? However, while those store-bought treats offer convenience, there’s an undeniable magic and superior flavor profile that comes from baking your own **Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese Muffins** right in your home kitchen.

There is just something inherently comforting and utterly delightful about the way velvety smooth cream cheese, the earthy sweetness of pumpkin puree, and a medley of aromatic fall spices harmonize together. This combination is truly a match made in culinary heaven. Plus, I took a page from the ‘bux and generously topped these beauties with my own homemade sugared pepitas. While I can’t definitively say if their pepitas are sugared – it’s been about eight years since I last had one of their muffins – mine certainly are, and that extra touch makes them undeniably superior. So, instead of making a quick stop at the coffee shop this weekend, I wholeheartedly encourage you to stay in, embrace the cozy vibes, and whip up a batch of these extraordinary muffins at home. The rich flavors and comforting aroma will transform your kitchen into a haven of autumnal bliss.

Balancing the Bounty: Beyond Just Pumpkin This Fall

Last year, I must confess, I probably pushed the pumpkin-flavored boundaries a little too much. By August, my poor husband was utterly “pumpkined out” with the sheer volume of pumpkin recipes swirling through our house. I’m currently developing a DIY Slow Cooker Pumpkin Puree to share with you all next week, and just the mention of it or the sight of a pumpkin sent him mumbling under his breath about how “disgusting” pumpkin is! He genuinely has no idea what he’s missing with these exquisite **Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese Muffins**. Yet, as he’s our resident, albeit sometimes reluctant, taste tester, I did manage to get him to try one. His exact words? “Wow, these are pretty good!” Hearing that from him was high praise indeed. So, out of love and a desire to maintain marital harmony, I’m making a conscious effort this year to ease up on the pumpkin-flavored creations and explore the broader spectrum of fall’s delicious offerings.

This autumn, I’m committed to embracing an even wider array of delightful fall flavors. Beyond pumpkin, the season offers such incredible bounty! I’m looking forward to incorporating more hearty squashes, crisp apples, sweet pears, comforting sweet potatoes, and tart cranberries into my cooking and baking. Friends, there is so much more to Fall than just pumpkin! What are your absolute favorite dishes to cook up during the cooler months? I personally adore warm, comforting soups, hearty stews, satisfying casseroles, and robust chili, so you can definitely expect to see a lot of those recipes gracing these pages soon! Oh, and of course, football food! Because let’s be honest, Fall just screams Football season, and what better way to enjoy the games than with delicious, homemade snacks?

The Perfect Fall Indulgence: Share the Warmth (or Keep Them All!)

I’ve been enjoying one of these incredible **Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese Muffins** for breakfast three days in a row, and now that they’re all gone, I’m already longing to bake another batch. They are absolutely heavenly paired with a steaming cup of coffee or a comforting mug of tea, striking that perfect balance between sweet and a subtly savory note. The soft, spiced pumpkin cake, the luscious cream cheese swirl, and the delicate crunch of sugared pepitas create a truly unforgettable experience with every bite. I highly, highly suggest you carve out some time this weekend to make these. Better yet, bake an extra batch and share them with a friend or a thoughtful neighbor. They’ve received nothing but rave reviews from everyone who’s tried them around here, and I genuinely believe they would make for the most perfect little treat to brighten someone’s day.

Doesn’t that inviting pool of creamy, dreamy cream cheese just make you want to reach out and lick the screen? Go ahead, I won’t tell anyone! 😉

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Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese Muffins

Prep 20 mins

Cook 15 mins

Total 35 mins

Author Strawberry Blondie Kitchen

Yield 14 muffins

Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese Muffins are the quintessential treat of Fall. Filled with aromatic autumn spices, stuffed with cream cheese and sprinkled with sugared pepitas, this is sure to be your go to Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese Muffins recipe.

Ingredients

Sugared Pepitas

• 1 egg white
• 1 teaspoon canola oil
• 1/2 cup pepitas
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon cardamom
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Cream Cheese Filling

• 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Muffin Mix

• 2/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup butter melted
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1/3 cup milk, I used buttermilk but use what you have on hand.
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

1. Sugared Pepitas
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray a baking sheet with cooking spray.
3. In a medium bowl, combine egg white and oil. Whisk until frothy.
4. Add in remaining ingredients , to medium bowl, and stir to combine.
5. Spread seeds onto prepared baking sheet and bake for 9 minutes, stirring every 3 minutes to break up the pieces. Set aside and allow to cool.
7. Cream Cheese Filling
8. Combine cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until smooth. Place in refridgerator to chill while you prepare the muffin mix.
10. Muffin Mix
11. Place muffin liners into a muffin tin.
12. In the bowl of your stand mixer, place brown sugar, white sugar and butter and mix to combine.
13. Add in eggs, one at a time, until incorporated.
14. Add pumpkin and mix until combined. Set aside.
15. In a medium bowl, combine flour through salt. Whisk to combine.
16. Starting with the flour and alternatively between flour mixture and buttermilk, add in 1 cup of dry mix, followed by half the buttermilk. Add in the remaining dry mix, ending with the buttermilk.
17. Fill each liner 2/3 of the way full.
18. Dollop 1/2 tablespoon* cream cheese mixture onto each muffin top and sprinkle with pepitas.
19. Bake for 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
20. Place on a wire baking rack to cool.
21. *Feel free to use up to 1 Tablespoon cream cheese mixture. I did but felt it was a bit much and covered more of the top than I wanted so I adjusted the recipe to read 1/2 tablespoon.

Courses Muffin

Cuisine Breakfast

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 1 muffin

Amount Per Serving
Calories 301
% Daily Value
Total Fat 12 g		18%
	Saturated Fat 7 g	35%
Cholesterol 55 mg		18%
Sodium 231 mg		10%
	Dietary Fiber 3 g	12%
	Sugars 25 g
Protein 5 g		10%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Speaking of aesthetics and presentation, a huge shout-out and heartfelt thank you goes to my amazing dad! He played a crucial role in helping me create this absolutely stunning food board, which these delectable **Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese Muffins** were photographed on. I mean, HELLO GORGEOUS! The craftsmanship is just impeccable. This board has instantly become my absolute favorite, and I fully intend to feature this beauty in all my upcoming fall recipe shoots. Doesn’t that captivating turquoise wash just perfectly complement the warm, inviting orange hues of the muffins? I absolutely LOVE it! Thanks, Dad, for making my culinary photography dreams come true!

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