Pumpkin Swirl Muffins Recipe
These Pumpkin Swirl Muffins combine moist pumpkin puree with warm autumn spices and a luscious cream cheese swirl for a delightful treat. Perfect for breakfast or a cozy snack, they feature a tender crumb and a beautiful marbled effect that delivers both flavor and visual appeal.
- Author: Sophie
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 muffins 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
For the Muffins:
- 1 3/4 cups (220 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp ground cloves
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (100 g) brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) vegetable oil
- 1 cup (240 g) canned pumpkin puree
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Cream Cheese Swirl:
- 6 oz (170 g) cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup (50 g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Preheat Your Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease lightly to prevent sticking.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground cloves, and salt. Set this mixture aside for later use.
- Combine the Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vegetable oil until well combined. Add the pumpkin puree, eggs, and vanilla extract, mixing until the batter is smooth and homogeneous.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to ensure the muffins remain tender and light.
- Prepare the Cream Cheese Swirl: In a small bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy to create the swirl mixture.
- Assemble the Muffins: Spoon the pumpkin batter evenly into the prepared muffin cups, filling each about halfway. Add a dollop of the cream cheese mixture on top of each muffin cup. Use a toothpick or skewer to gently swirl the cream cheese into the pumpkin batter to create a marbled effect.
- Bake: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and 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 5 minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
Notes
- To prevent dense muffins, avoid overmixing the batter once the dry ingredients are added.
- The cream cheese swirl adds richness and a beautiful marbled look to the muffins.
- Muffins can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to a week.
- Ensure cream cheese is softened to room temperature for easier mixing.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute cream cheese with a plant-based cream cheese alternative.
Keywords: Pumpkin muffins, cream cheese swirl, autumn recipes, fall baking, spiced muffins