How to Make Copycat Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins Recipe

Make your favorite treat from Starbies with this Copycat Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins recipe. A breakfast treat or fall snack that is such an easy recipe.

If you’re a fan of Starbucks’ iconic pumpkin cream cheese muffins, you’re in for a treat! This copycat recipe brings all the cozy, autumn vibes right into your kitchen, with a delicious combination of spiced pumpkin muffins and a creamy, sweet cream cheese filling.

Not only is this recipe easy to follow, but it also delivers those familiar bakery-style muffins you crave—perfect for fall gatherings, breakfast treats, or simply enjoying with your favorite cup of coffee.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfectly Balanced Flavors
These Copycat Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins hit all the right notes for fall. The warmth of the pumpkin spice mixed with the soft, tender pumpkin muffin creates a delightful base. Then, just when you think it couldn’t get any better, a sweet, tangy cream cheese center surprises you in every bite. This balance of flavors makes it the ultimate fall comfort food.

Easy to Make at Home
While these muffins are a staple at Starbucks during pumpkin spice season, making them at home is easier than you think. With only a handful of ingredients and a few simple steps, you can whip up these delicious treats in under 30 minutes. Plus, you’ll save money by skipping the trip to the coffee shop and enjoy freshly baked goodness whenever you want.

Ingredients You’ll Need

To make these delicious Copycat Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins, here’s what you’ll need:

For the Muffins:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 (15 oz) can pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
• 1 large egg
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Cream Cheese Filling:

• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional: Spiced candied pepitas. I use this recipe from Beyond Mere Sustenance. Then I sprinkle a few pepitas on the pumpkin batter in the muffin tins after adding the cream cheese filling before baking.

How to Make Copycat Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a standard 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners and set aside.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl with electric mixer or the bowl of a stand mixer, combine 1 ½ cups flour, ¾ cup sugar, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, and ½ teaspoon salt. Whisk the ingredients together until well blended.

Step 3: Prepare the Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the 15 oz pumpkin puree, 1 egg, ¼ cup melted unsalted butter, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Stir until the mixture is smooth and fully combined.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Pour the wet pumpkin mixture into the dry ingredients. Using a stand mixer on low speed or a spatula, gently mix the ingredients until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this could result in dense muffins.

Step 5: Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling

In a medium bowl, beat the 4 oz softened cream cheese, 2 tablespoons sugar, 1 teaspoon flour, 1 teaspoon milk, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract together until smooth and creamy. Transfer the filling to a piping bag or a small plastic sandwich bag with the corner snipped off.

Step 6: Fill the Muffin Tin

Divide the muffin batter evenly between the prepared muffin cups. Insert the piping bag with the cream cheese filling into the center of each muffin, gently squeezing about 1 tablespoon of filling into each one.

Step 7: Bake

Bake the muffins in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the muffins are set and just starting to turn golden on top. A toothpick inserted into the muffin (avoiding the cream cheese center) should come out clean.

Step 8: Cool and Serve

Let the muffins cool in the tin for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy them warm or at room temperature.

Places to Take or Use This Recipe

These pumpkin cream cheese muffins are versatile and perfect for a variety of occasions. Here are a few places you can take them:

1. Family Breakfast or Brunch
   Start your day off with a festive fall breakfast! These muffins are a great addition to a weekend brunch spread or a cozy family breakfast.
2. Seasonal Parties and Gatherings
   Hosting a fall-themed party? These muffins are a crowd-pleaser and perfect for potlucks, holiday gatherings, or even as a sweet treat at your Halloween party.
3. On-the-Go Snack
   Pack these muffins for a quick on-the-go snack. They’re portable, making them ideal for busy mornings or afternoon pick-me-ups with a hot cup of coffee, apple cider, or hot cocoa.

Recipe Variations

Want to change things up or cater to different tastes? Here are a few variations you can try:

Add a Streusel Topping
For extra texture and flavor, sprinkle a cinnamon streusel topping over the muffins before baking. Simply mix ¼ cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons flour, 1 tablespoon melted butter, and ½ teaspoon cinnamon, and crumble over the muffin tops.

Mix in Some Nuts or Chocolate Chips
If you love extra crunch or sweetness, fold in ½ cup chopped pecans, walnuts, or chocolate chips into the muffin batter before baking. These additions add a delightful twist to the recipe.

Maple Cream Cheese Filling
For a fall-inspired variation, replace the sugar in the cream cheese filling with 2 tablespoons of maple syrup. This adds a rich, autumn flavor that complements the pumpkin perfectly.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

Can these muffins be stored?

Yes! These muffins can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them for up to 3 months. Just make sure to wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. To enjoy, simply thaw them overnight in the fridge or reheat in the microwave for a few seconds.

Can these muffins be made ahead?

Absolutely. You can make the batter and cream cheese filling the night before and store them separately in the refrigerator. In the morning, simply assemble and bake the muffins for fresh-out-of-the-oven goodness. Alternatively, bake the muffins ahead of time and store them for later use.

Common Questions About Copycat Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

Can I use homemade pumpkin puree instead of canned?

Yes, you can substitute homemade pumpkin puree for canned pumpkin, but make sure it’s not too watery. You may need to strain it to achieve the same consistency as store-bought pumpkin puree.

How can I make these muffins gluten-free?

You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Ensure the gluten-free flour includes xanthan gum, or add ½ teaspoon yourself to help with texture.

Can I make these muffins without a piping bag for the cream cheese filling?

Yes, if you don’t have a piping bag, you can use a small spoon to scoop the cream cheese mixture into the muffins, or use a plastic sandwich bag with the corner snipped off.

Conclusion

These Copycat Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins bring all the fall flavors you love right into your kitchen. Perfect for breakfast, an afternoon snack, or a special treat, they’re easy to make, store well, and deliver the same delicious flavor you crave from your favorite coffee shop. With their irresistible combination of pumpkin spice and creamy filling, they’re bound to become a seasonal staple.

Ready to bake your own batch of pumpkin cream cheese muffins?

Try this recipe today, and let us know how it turned out in the comments below! Don’t forget to share your delicious creations on social media and tag us. Happy baking!

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Copycat Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

How to make your pumpkin muffins from Starbies with the sweet cream cheese filling.

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time15 minutes mins

Total Time25 minutes mins

Course: Breakfast, Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: cream cheese, fall, fall desserts, muffins, pumpkin, pumpkin muffins

Servings: 12 muffins

Ingredients

For the muffins:

• 1 ½ c flour
• ¾ c sugar
• 1 t baking powder
• 1 t baking soda
• 1 t pumpkin pie spice
• ½ t salt
• 1 – 15 oz can pumpkin puree not pie filling
• 1 egg
• ¼ c unsalted butter melted
• 1 t vanilla

For the cream cheese filling:

• 4 oz cream cheese softened
• 2 T sugar
• 1 t flour
• 1 t milk
• 1 t vanilla

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray or line a standard muffin tin and set aside.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. Whisk to combine.
• In a medium bowl, combine the pumpkin puree, egg, melted butter and vanilla. Whisk to combine.
• Pour the pumpkin mixture into the dry ingredients. Mix on low speed just until combined.
• Divide the batter between the cupcake liners. Set aside.
• To make the cream cheese filling – in the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the softened cream cheese, sugar, flour, milk and vanilla.
• Mix on medium low until combined and smooth.
• Transfer the filling to a piping bag. Cut off about ½ of an inch from the tip.
• Insert the piping bag just below the surface of the muffin batter and gently squeeze until the filling reaches the top of the muffin (about a tablespoons worth of filling). Repeat with the remaining muffins. You can always go back and give some muffins more filling if there is any remaining.
• Bake the muffins in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until set and just slightly starting to golden up.
• Allow to cool

Notes

Storage: Muffins can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 2 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Optional: If you like adding on the spiced pepitas, you can. I don’t always have time to make the candied pepitas. If you want them make your own spiced pepitas (here is a recipe if you need one) and sprinkle around the cream cheese filling on the pumpkin batter before baking.

More delicious pumpkin recipes to try:

• Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
• Pumpkin Pie Cookies
• Pumpkin Cake Balls
• Pumpkin Scones
• Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls

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