Description
Indulgent Cinnamon Cream Cheese Muffins offer a delightful twist on classic breakfast pastries. Warm spices and creamy filling create a perfect morning companion you’ll crave with morning coffee or afternoon tea.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) buttermilk
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
Cream Cheese Filling:
- 8 ounces (225g) cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Spices and Topping:
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup (65g) all-purpose flour (for topping)
- ¼ cup (50g) brown sugar, packed
- 4 tablespoons (60g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
Instructions
- Prepare the kitchen workspace by positioning a rack in the middle of the oven and heating to 375F (190C). Arrange paper liners inside a standard muffin tin or thoroughly coat each cup with cooking spray.
- Craft the creamy filling by blending cream cheese with sugar and vanilla until uniformly smooth. Allow mixture to rest at room temperature while preparing other components.
- Construct the foundational batter by combining dry ingredients – flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon – in a separate mixing vessel. Whisk thoroughly to eliminate potential lumps.
- In a larger bowl, integrate melted butter with granulated sugar using vigorous whisking motions. Incorporate eggs individually, ensuring complete integration after each addition. Pour in vanilla extract and mix until harmonious.
- Gradually fold dry ingredient mixture into wet ingredients, alternating with buttermilk. Stir gently to maintain batter’s delicate texture, avoiding excessive manipulation that could develop tough muffins.
- Develop the crumbly topping by mixing flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Introduce cold butter cubes, utilizing fingertips to create a coarse, sandy consistency that will provide delightful textural contrast.
- Populate muffin cups with batter, filling approximately halfway. Deposit a dollop of cream cheese mixture into each center, then carefully cover with remaining batter until cups reach about three-quarters full.
- Liberally distribute crumble topping across each muffin, ensuring comprehensive coverage for maximum flavor and crunch.
- Slide muffin tin into preheated oven, baking for 18-22 minutes. Test doneness by inserting a toothpick near the edge – it should emerge clean when muffins are perfectly baked.
- Allow muffins to rest in the tin for five minutes, enabling slight cooling and easier removal. Transfer to a wire rack, permitting complete cooling and optimal texture development.
- Serve these delectable treats warm or at ambient temperature, ideally accompanied by a steaming beverage for a truly indulgent experience.
Notes
- Softly fold the batter to maintain a light, tender texture and prevent dense, tough muffins.
- Chill the cream cheese filling for 15 minutes before adding to help it hold its shape and prevent spreading during baking.
- Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth mixing and even baking, creating a more consistent muffin texture.
- For a gluten-free version, swap all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend and ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free certified.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 272
- Sugar: 19g
- Sodium: 215mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 58mg