Description
Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins are the ultimate cozy fall baking treat—soft, spiced pumpkin muffins with a creamy, sweet cream cheese center and a candied ginger crunch on top. Perfectly balanced between warm autumn spices and tangy filling, these muffins are easy to make yet feel bakery-worthy. Ideal for breakfast, snacks, or holiday brunch spreads, they’re a fall tradition in every bite.
Ingredients
Muffin Batter
½ cup (120 ml) melted coconut oil
½ cup + 1 tbsp (140 ml) maple syrup or honey
1 tbsp (15 ml) vanilla extract
2 large eggs, room temperature
¾ cup (180 g) pumpkin butter
¾ cup (180 g) pumpkin puree
1 ½ cups (180 g) white whole wheat flour
1 ½ tsp (6 g) baking powder
½ tsp (3 g) baking soda
1 tsp (3 g) ground cinnamon
½ tsp (1.5 g) ground ginger
⅛ tsp (0.3 g) cardamom
⅛ tsp (0.3 g) nutmeg
⅛ tsp (0.3 g) ground cloves
1 tsp (6 g) kosher salt
2 tbsp (20 g) candied ginger pieces
Cream Cheese Filling
8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
1 tbsp (15 ml) maple syrup or honey
Sugared Ginger Topping
¼ cup (60 g) candied ginger pieces
1 tbsp (12 g) cinnamon sugar
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
In a large bowl, whisk together coconut oil, ½ cup maple syrup/honey, vanilla, eggs, pumpkin butter, and pumpkin puree until smooth.
Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, spices, and salt. Stir gently until just combined. Fold in candied ginger. Divide batter into muffin cups (¾ full).
In a small bowl, beat cream cheese with 1 tbsp maple syrup/honey until fluffy. Drop 1 rounded teaspoon into the center of each muffin. Press slightly so it sinks halfway.
Mix candied ginger with cinnamon sugar. Sprinkle topping over muffins.
Bake 18–20 minutes, until golden and set. Cool 5 minutes before removing from pan. Enjoy warm.
Notes
Don’t overmix batter—this keeps muffins tender.
Use room temperature cream cheese for a smooth filling.
Can be frozen up to 2 months (wrap individually).
Substitute candied ginger with chopped nuts or chocolate chips.
To make gluten-free, use a 1:1 GF flour blend.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Desserts / Baked Goods
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American