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Cozy Pumpkin Cream Cheese Swirl Muffins with Cinnamon Pecan Topping

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These moist and flavorful pumpkin muffins feature a tangy cream cheese swirl and a crunchy cinnamon pecan topping, perfect for cozy fall mornings or gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (240 g) all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup (150 g) granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup (50 g) packed brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (245 g) pumpkin puree (canned or homemade)
  • 1/3 cup (80 ml) vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) buttermilk (or whole milk with 1 tablespoon vinegar as substitute)
  • 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
  • 1/3 cup (65 g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup (60 g) chopped pecans, toasted
  • 1/4 cup (50 g) packed brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 3 tablespoons (43 g) unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

  1. Prepare the topping by combining chopped toasted pecans, brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter in a small bowl. Stir until crumbly but slightly holds together. Set aside.
  2. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with liners or lightly grease.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until well combined.
  4. In another bowl, whisk pumpkin puree, vegetable oil, eggs, vanilla extract, and buttermilk until smooth and glossy.
  5. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and fold gently with a spatula until just combined. Batter should be thick but moist; avoid overmixing.
  6. Beat cream cheese, sugar, egg, and vanilla extract with an electric mixer or whisk until smooth and creamy with no lumps.
  7. Spoon about two tablespoons of pumpkin batter into each muffin cup. Add a tablespoon of cream cheese mixture on top, then cover with another two tablespoons of pumpkin batter.
  8. Use a toothpick or skewer to gently swirl the cream cheese into the pumpkin batter to create a marbled effect. Do not over-swirl.
  9. Sprinkle the cinnamon pecan topping generously over each muffin cup.
  10. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean (some cream cheese bits may stick). Muffins should be golden and slightly firm to the touch.
  11. Let muffins rest in the tin for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Notes

Do not overmix the batter to keep muffins tender. Use room temperature eggs and cream cheese for smooth blending. Toast pecans in a dry skillet to enhance flavor. Tent muffins with foil if browning too quickly. Store muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: pumpkin muffins, cream cheese swirl, cinnamon pecan topping, fall recipe, easy muffins, homemade muffins, cozy breakfast

Find it online: https://lyrafeast.com/cozy-pumpkin-cream-cheese-swirl-muffins-easy-homemade-recipe-with-cinnamon-pecan-topping/