The Art of Ultimate Copycat Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin Perfection

Perfect Crumb Topping Creation

Master the technique of creating buttery, crumbly streusel that adds delightful texture and sweetness.

Cream Cheese Filling Excellence

Learn the skill of preparing smooth, tangy filling that creates surprise center in every muffin.

Pumpkin Batter Perfection

Perfect the method of combining wet and dry ingredients for moist, tender muffin texture.

Spice Balance Technique

Master the art of blending warm fall spices for authentic pumpkin spice flavor profile.

Assembly Strategy

Learn optimal layering techniques for cream cheese center and crumb topping distribution.

Bakery-Style Pumpkin Muffin Mastery Secrets for Perfect Copycat Results

Cold Butter: Keep butter very cold for crumb topping to achieve perfect crumbly texture.

Room Temperature: Ensure cream cheese is softened for smooth filling without lumps.

Don't Overmix: Fold batter gently to keep muffins tender and light, not tough.

Filling Placement: Center the cream cheese filling so it doesn't touch sides of muffin cups.

Test Doneness: Insert toothpick near edge, not center, to avoid hitting cream cheese filling.

Fresh Pumpkin: Use pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling which contains added spices.

Copycat Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins with Cinnamon Crumb Topping

Name: Copycat Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins with Cinnamon Crumb Topping
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 12 muffins
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: For the Crumb Topping:; 1/2 cup all-purpose flour; 1/3 cup granulated sugar; 1/4 cup cold butter, cubed; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; For the Cream Cheese Filling:; 8 oz cream cheese, softened; 1/4 cup granulated sugar; 1 large egg yolk; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; For the Pumpkin Muffin Base:; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; For the Pumpkin Spice Blend:; 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon; 1 teaspoon ground ginger; 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves; For the Wet Ingredients:; 1 cup pumpkin puree; 2 large eggs; 1/2 cup vegetable oil; 1/2 cup milk; For the Sweeteners:; 1 cup granulated sugar; 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed; For the Finishing Touch:; Cream cheese frosting (optional)

The ultimate copycat Starbucks pumpkin muffins featuring moist pumpkin spice cake, a rich cream cheese filling, and a buttery cinnamon crumb topping. This gourmet bakery-style masterpiece combines the warm spices of fall with tangy cream cheese and a sweet streusel crown, creating an unforgettable muffin experience that rivals the coffee shop original and elevates your autumn baking to extraordinary heights perfect for breakfast, brunch, or any time you crave the perfect balance of pumpkin sweetness and cream cheese richness.

Prep Time

20 Minutes

Cook Time

25 Minutes

Total Time

45 Minutes

Chef

RUY

Ingredients

Custard Cream

For the Crumb Topping:

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup cold butter, cubed

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

For the Cream Cheese Filling:

8 oz cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 large egg yolk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Pumpkin Muffin Base:

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

For the Pumpkin Spice Blend:

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

For the Wet Ingredients:

1 cup pumpkin puree

2 large eggs

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup milk

For the Sweeteners:

1 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar, packed

For the Finishing Touch:

Cream cheese frosting (optional)

Powdered sugar for dusting

For Special Equipment:

12-cup muffin tin

Paper muffin liners

Pastry cutter or fork

Ice cream scoop for filling

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F and line muffin tin with paper liners.

Make crumb topping by combining flour, sugar, and cinnamon in bowl.

Cut cold butter into flour mixture until crumbly texture forms.

Refrigerate crumb topping while preparing other components.

Beat softened cream cheese with sugar until smooth and fluffy.

Mix in egg yolk and vanilla extract until well combined.

Set cream cheese filling aside at room temperature.

Whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in large bowl.

Add all spices to flour mixture and whisk to distribute evenly.

In separate bowl, whisk pumpkin puree with eggs until smooth.

Add vegetable oil and milk to pumpkin mixture, whisking well.

Stir both sugars into wet ingredients until fully incorporated.

Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and fold gently until just combined.

Do not overmix batter; some lumps are okay for tender muffins.

Fill each muffin cup one-third full with pumpkin batter.

Add one tablespoon of cream cheese filling to center of each.

Top with more pumpkin batter until cups are three-quarters full.

Generously sprinkle crumb topping over each muffin.

Bake for 22-25 minutes until toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Allow muffins to cool in pan for 5 minutes.

Transfer to wire rack to cool completely before frosting.

Pipe cream cheese frosting on top if desired for extra indulgence.

Dust with powdered sugar for beautiful finishing touch.

Store in airtight container at room temperature for 3 days.

Refrigerate if topped with cream cheese frosting for freshness.

Copycat Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins with Cinnamon Crumb Topping

RUY

Essential Ingredients Selection

Creating Your Masterpiece

The Art of Ultimate Copycat Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin Perfection

Copycat Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins with Cinnamon Crumb Topping

Ingredients

Instructions