Sweet & Fluffy Cinnamon Cream Cheese Muffins Recipe

Soft, golden muffins studded with cinnamon cream cheese delight dance between comfort and indulgence.

Every baker dreams of creating pastries that spark pure joy at first bite.

The subtle warmth of cinnamon weaves through tender crumbs, promising a delectable morning treat.

Rich cream cheese adds luxurious depth to these irresistible breakfast companions.

Swirls of sweet spice promise a moment of pure culinary bliss.

Weekend mornings become magical with these simple yet extraordinary muffins.

Bake a batch and watch smiles bloom around your kitchen.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 263 kcal

Servings: 13

Cinnamon Cream Cheese Muffins Ingredient Guide

• All-Purpose Flour: The sturdy base that provides structure and volume to the muffins, selecting fresh flour ensures light and fluffy texture..
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the muffins and helps create a golden-brown crust, opt for fine-quality sugar for balanced sweetness..
• Baking Powder: Magical rising agent that helps muffins become soft and airy, check freshness for optimal lift..
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor depth and balances the sweetness, use fine table salt for even distribution..
• Ground Cinnamon: Warm, aromatic spice that adds delightful flavor complexity, choose high-quality Ceylon or Saigon cinnamon for best results..

• Unsalted Butter: Creates rich, tender crumb and adds delicious buttery flavor, melt carefully to maintain smooth consistency..
• Milk: Provides moisture and helps bind ingredients, whole milk offers best richness and texture..
• Eggs: Binding agent that adds structure and creates smooth batter, use room temperature eggs for better incorporation..
• Vanilla Extract: Adds deep, warm flavor undertone, choose pure vanilla for most authentic taste..

• Cream Cheese: Creamy, tangy filling that creates delightful surprise inside muffins, use softened Philadelphia-style cream cheese for smoothest texture..
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes cream cheese filling, sift to prevent lumps..
• Cinnamon Sugar: Aromatic topping that adds extra warmth and crunch, mix fresh ground cinnamon with fine sugar for best coating..
• White Chocolate: Optional decorative drizzle that adds elegant.

Baking Gear to Make Cinnamon Cream Cheese Muffins

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining dry ingredients with plenty of space to stir.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending wet ingredients smoothly and breaking up egg lumps.
• Muffin tray: Holds paper liners and shapes muffins during baking.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise measurements for flour, sugar, and other ingredients.
• Small bowl: Used for mixing cream cheese filling and creating toppings.
• Spatula: Helps fold wet and dry ingredients gently without overmixing.
• Cooling rack: Allows muffins to cool evenly and prevent soggy bottoms.
• Oven: For baking muffins at the right temperature.
• Spoon: For dolloping cream cheese mixture into muffin batter.

Steps to Make Cinnamon Cream Cheese Muffins

• Oven Preparation

Warm up the oven to a toasty 375°F and line a muffin tray with soft paper cups.

• Dry Ingredient Blend

Toss flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon together in a roomy mixing bowl, creating a fragrant powder mix.

• Liquid Fusion

Whisk melted butter, milk, eggs, and vanilla in a separate container until silky smooth.

• Batter Creation

Gently marry the wet and dry mixtures, stirring just enough to combine without bruising the delicate batter.

• Cream Cheese Magic

Whip softened cream cheese with powdered sugar until it transforms into a luxurious, creamy filling.

• Muffin Assembly

Nestle batter halfway into each paper liner, drop a cloud of cream cheese in the center, then blanket with remaining batter.

• Baking Transformation

Dust the tops with a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar, then bake until golden and irresistible, roughly 18-20 minutes.

• Finishing Touch

Let the muffins rest briefly in the tray, then transfer to a cooling rack. Optional: drizzle with melted white chocolate for extra decadence.

Extra Touches for Gooey Cream Cheese Centers

• Cream Cheese Swirl Magic: Experiment with different flavored cream cheese like strawberry, blueberry, or chocolate to create unique taste combinations that surprise your taste buds.
• Make-Ahead Muffin Brilliance: Prepare the batter and freeze unbaked muffins in liners for up to 2 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding 5-7 minutes to the original baking time for a quick breakfast treat.
• Texture-Boosting Mix-Ins: Fold in chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts, or add dried fruit such as cranberries or raisins to give extra crunch and depth to your muffins. These additions bring exciting texture and flavor complexity.
• Gluten-Free Transformation: Swap regular flour with a gluten-free all-purpose blend to make these muffins accessible for those with wheat sensitivities. Ensure the blend contains xanthan gum for better texture and structure.
• Storage Secret Weapon: Store muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week. Warm slightly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to restore that fresh-from-the-oven softness and inviting aroma.

Serving These Muffins Fresh and Warm

• Sweet Morning Breakfast: Pair these delightful muffins with a steaming cup of freshly brewed coffee or a cold glass of milk for a perfect breakfast treat that starts your day with a smile.
• Elegant Brunch Centerpiece: Arrange the muffins on a beautiful serving platter surrounded by fresh berries and a light dusting of powdered sugar to create an impressive centerpiece for weekend brunches with friends and family.
• Afternoon Tea Companion: Serve these muffins alongside your favorite tea selection during a relaxed afternoon gathering, allowing guests to enjoy the rich cinnamon and cream cheese flavors with a touch of elegance.
• Dessert Transformation: Elevate the muffins into a decadent dessert by adding a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce, turning this simple baked good into a luxurious sweet ending to any meal.

How to Keep Muffins Soft After Baking

• Quick Cool-Down Strategy: Let muffins rest at room temperature for 15-20 minutes after baking, allowing them to stabilize and develop richer flavors without losing moisture.
• Refrigeration Technique: Store cream cheese muffins in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Wrap individually in plastic wrap to maintain freshness and prevent flavor absorption from other foods.
• Freezer-Friendly Approach: Carefully place muffins in a freezer-safe container, separating layers with parchment paper. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or reheat directly from frozen at 300°F for 10-12 minutes.
• Reheating Magic: Warm refrigerated or thawed muffins in the microwave for 15-20 seconds, or in a preheated oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes. This method restores their soft texture and enhances the cinnamon and cream cheese aroma.

Soft Cinnamon Cream Cheese Muffins Recipe

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4.8 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Homemade cinnamon cream cheese delight muffins combine classic bakery comfort with rich Pennsylvania Dutch baking traditions. Spiced muffins offer warm, sweet notes that welcome morning enjoyment or afternoon tea companions.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup (240 ml) milk
• ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, melted
• 2 cups (473 ml) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ cup (30 g) powdered sugar
• 1 tbsp cinnamon sugar mixture
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ cup (45 g) white chocolate, melted (optional, for drizzle)

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Instructions

1. Oven Preparation: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a muffin tray with paper liners to ensure easy removal and prevent sticking.
2. Dry Ingredient Fusion: In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly combine flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon, ensuring even distribution of all dry components.
3. Liquid Mixture Harmonization: Whisk melted butter, milk, eggs, and vanilla extract until the mixture achieves a smooth, uniform consistency.
4. Batter Creation: Gently fold the liquid ingredients into the dry mixture, maintaining a light texture and avoiding overmixing to preserve the muffins’ delicate structure.
5. Cream Cheese Filling Development: Blend softened cream cheese with powdered sugar until a silky, creamy filling forms.
6. Muffin Assembly: Fill each liner halfway with batter, place a central dollop of cream cheese mixture, then cover completely with additional batter to prevent leakage during baking.
7. Flavor Enhancement: Sprinkle a generous layer of cinnamon sugar across the muffin tops to elevate both visual appeal and taste profile.
8. Baking Process: Bake for 18-20 minutes, monitoring until the tops turn golden-brown and a toothpick inserted into the cake portion comes out clean.
9. Cooling and Finishing: Rest muffins briefly in the tray, then transfer to a cooling rack. Optional: Drizzle with white chocolate for an elegant touch. Serve warm or at room temperature, showcasing their luxurious texture and complex flavors.

Notes

• Precision in Mixing: Avoid overmixing the batter to maintain a tender, light muffin texture; stir just until ingredients combine to prevent dense, tough results.
• Cream Cheese Placement: Create a well in the center of each muffin liner before adding cream cheese filling to ensure even distribution and prevent sinking.
• Temperature Timing: Let ingredients like eggs and milk reach room temperature before mixing to guarantee smoother batter and more consistent baking.
• Storage Strategy: Keep muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze for extended freshness, separating layers with parchment paper.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 263
• Sugar: 19 g
• Sodium: 143 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 57 mg