Go Back
Freshly baked Starbucks pumpkin cream cheese muffins with a golden, soft texture and a gooey cream cheese center.

Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins: The Ultimate Fall Treat

Delicious fall-inspired muffins combining the warm spiced flavor of pumpkin with a tangy cream cheese filling. A homemade version of the Starbucks favorite that’s perfect for autumn mornings or cozy snacks.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 12 muffins
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 230
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 1/2 cups pumpkin puree
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup melted butter cooled
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
Cream Cheese Filling:
  • 4 oz cream cheese softened
  • 2 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp milk
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a muffin tin with paper liners.
  2. In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, and salt.
  3. In another bowl, whisk pumpkin puree, egg, melted butter, and vanilla. Combine wet and dry ingredients, mixing gently until just combined.
  4. For the filling: mix cream cheese, sugar, flour, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Place in a piping bag or plastic bag with tip cut.
  5. Fill muffin cups 3/4 full with pumpkin batter. Pipe about 1 tablespoon of cream cheese filling into the center of each muffin.
  6. Bake 15–20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the muffin (avoiding filling) comes out clean. Cool slightly before transferring to a wire rack.

Notes

For gluten-free muffins, substitute flour with a gluten-free blend. For dairy-free, use coconut or cashew-based cream cheese. Replace butter with applesauce for a lighter version. Avoid overmixing to keep muffins fluffy.