Description
These Gooey Cinnamon Cream Cheese Muffins combine a tender, cinnamon-spiced muffin base with a luscious, creamy cream cheese filling. Topped with a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar and optionally drizzled with vanilla cream or melted white chocolate, they make a perfect sweet breakfast treat or snack. Soft on the inside with a slightly crisp top, these muffins are easy to prepare and bake in just 35 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup melted butter
- 1 cup milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Cream Cheese Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
Topping & Optional Drizzle
- Cinnamon sugar (for topping)
- Vanilla cream or melted white chocolate (optional, for drizzle)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven & Prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect baking temperature. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners to prevent sticking and to make muffin removal easier.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 cup of granulated sugar, 1 tbsp of baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp ground cinnamon until evenly combined. This ensures the rising agents and spices are distributed throughout the batter.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine 1/2 cup melted butter, 1 cup milk, 2 large eggs, and 1 tsp vanilla extract. Whisk together until smooth to create the liquid base of your muffin batter.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Gently stir with a spatula until just combined; avoid overmixing to keep the muffins light and tender. The batter will be slightly lumpy but that is normal.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Filling: In a small bowl, beat 8 oz softened cream cheese with 1/4 cup powdered sugar until smooth and creamy. This filling will add a gooey surprise inside your muffins.
- Assemble Muffins: Spoon batter halfway into each muffin liner, then add a dollop of cream cheese mixture in the center. Cover with more batter to fully enclose the cream cheese, filling the liners almost to the top.
- Add Topping & Bake: Sprinkle the tops generously with cinnamon sugar for a sweet, crunchy finish. Place the muffin tin in the oven and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the muffin (avoiding the creamy center) comes out clean.
- Cool & Serve: Let the muffins cool in the pan for about 10 minutes to set, then transfer them to a wire rack. If desired, drizzle with vanilla cream or melted white chocolate for an extra decadent touch before serving.
Notes
- Do not overmix the batter to avoid dense muffins; some lumps are okay.
- Make sure cream cheese is softened to easily blend with powdered sugar for a smooth filling.
- The toothpick test should avoid the cream cheese center to check muffin doneness accurately.
- For a dairy-free alternative, substitute milk and butter with plant-based options and use dairy-free cream cheese.
- Drizzling with vanilla cream or white chocolate is optional but adds extra flavor and decoration.
