Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins (Like Starbucks)

By SewingDragonfly

One reviewer noted..."I've made this recipe three times, and everyone goes crazy for them. However, after sampling Starbucks version again, I felt that this recipe seemed pale, and lacked the richness and spicy, peppery bite which made this muffin so appealing to me in the first place. So, the last time I made them I added an additional teaspoon of cinnamon and nutmeg, a teaspoon of ginger, an additional 1/2 teaspoon of cloves, 1/8 teaspoon of cardamom, 2 tablespoons of chocolate powder, and 1/4 cup of dark molasses, as well as the sugar and vanilla addition to the cream cheese. WOW! The additions made the muffins extremely rich and spicy, and closer to the original than I had imagined."

And another..."We love these. I changed how I do the cream cheese and make it differently. I added 2 Tbsp of Butter, 1 tsp of vanilla extract and 3/4 c. powdered sugar. I beat this together but not too much, or it becomes grainy. I put 1/2 the muffin mix in the muffin cup. Then I add a dollop of the cream cheese mix in the center; I use wet fingers to push the cream cheese mix flatter. Finally, I cover with the other 1/2 of the muffin mx. Works like a charm! Also, I cut both the cloves and nutmeg to 1/2 tsp - just personal preference. If I leave the cream cheese without making it a little sweeter then my kids won't eat them. You can also use a pasty bag or ziploc bag to pip the cream cheese mix into the muffins too!"

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 4 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• 1 pinch cardamom (optional)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 4 eggs
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 cups pumpkin
• 1 1/4 cups vegetable oil
• 8 ounces cream cheese
• chopped pumpkin seeds (optional) or walnuts (optional) or pecans (optional)

Details

Servings 24

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350.

Put the entire brick of cream cheese on a piece of wax paper or parchment paper and shape it into a long log.
Put it in the freezer while you mix and fill the pans, up to an hour.

Unwrap and cut with a sharp knife so each cream cheese disk equals 1-2 teaspoons. If the cream cheese disks are too big around, cut thick slices and then cut them in half. This lets you push it down into the batter easier.

Mix all ingredients together (except cream cheese and nuts).
Fill muffin tins (greased or paper cups) half full.
Put cream cheese disc in the middle, pressing down.

Sprinkle with 1 tsp chopped nuts.

Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean from the muffin part (do not touch the cream cheese!).

Let cool in pans for 5 minutes, then remove to racks to cool completely. Do not touch the cream cheese until it cools.