If you have a soft spot for warm, moist muffins with a delightful swirl of sweet cream cheese and a hint of cinnamon, you are in for a real treat. This Gooey Cinnamon Cream Cheese Muffins Recipe is a fantastic way to start your day or impress guests during brunch. Every bite melts in your mouth, offering a perfect balance of spice, sweetness, and creamy indulgence that feels like a cozy hug wrapped in muffin form. Trust me, once you try this recipe, it will quickly become a beloved favorite you reach for again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering simple, classic ingredients is all you need to create these magical muffins. Each ingredient plays a pivotal role, from the tangy cream cheese that brings gooey richness to the cinnamon that fills the muffins with warm aroma and flavor.
- All-purpose flour (1 ¾ cups): The base that provides structure and tenderness.
- Baking powder (1 teaspoon): Helps the muffins rise perfectly fluffy.
- Baking soda (½ teaspoon): Adds lift and helps the cinnamon flavor bloom.
- Salt (¼ teaspoon): Balances sweetness and enhances flavor.
- Ground cinnamon (1 teaspoon + 1 teaspoon for topping): The star spice that infuses warm, comforting flavor inside and out.
- Unsalted butter (½ cup, softened): Adds richness and moistness to the crumb.
- Granulated sugar (¾ cup): Sweetens the batter while helping to create a tender texture.
- Large eggs (2): Bind ingredients and contribute to the muffins’ moistness.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Enhances all the other flavors with its fragrant sweetness.
- Sour cream (½ cup): Keeps the muffins moist and gives them a subtle tang.
- Milk (¼ cup): Balances texture for a tender, fluffy bite.
- Cream cheese (6 oz, softened): Creates the gooey cream cheese filling that makes these muffins irresistible.
- Powdered sugar (3 tablespoons): Sweetens and smooths the cream cheese filling.
- Brown sugar (¼ cup): Combines with cinnamon for a crunchy, sweet topping swirl.
How to Make Gooey Cinnamon Cream Cheese Muffins Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by heating your oven to 350°F and lining a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners. This framing step ensures your muffins bake evenly and release easily, setting the stage for muffin perfection.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Combining these dry ingredients early helps distribute the leavening agents and spice evenly throughout the batter.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
Using a large bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This process incorporates air, creating a tender crumb and a slightly sweet base for your muffins.
Step 4: Add Wet Ingredients
One at a time, beat in the eggs, followed by the vanilla extract. Then stir in the sour cream and milk, mixing just until smooth. This combination balances moisture and flavor, ensuring each muffin is perfectly tender with the right amount of tang.
Step 5: Combine Batter
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet, mixing just until everything comes together. Overmixing can lead to dense muffins, so keep it gentle for a light, soft texture.
Step 6: Prepare Cream Cheese Filling
In a small bowl, mix softened cream cheese with powdered sugar until silky smooth. This luscious filling is what transforms ordinary muffins into gooey, heavenly bites that you won’t be able to resist.
Step 7: Assemble Muffins
Fill each muffin cup halfway with batter, then spoon a dollop of cream cheese filling right into the center. Top with the remaining batter, swirl gently using a toothpick, and sprinkle the cinnamon-brown sugar mixture over the top for that signature sweet crunch.
Step 8: Bake and Cool
Bake for 18–22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the muffin’s edge comes out clean (avoid the cream cheese center). Let the muffins cool for 5 minutes in the tin before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
How to Serve Gooey Cinnamon Cream Cheese Muffins Recipe
Garnishes
A dusting of powdered sugar or a light drizzle of vanilla glaze elevates the look and taste beautifully. You could also add a sprinkle of toasted chopped pecans for a nutty crunch that complements the cream cheese’s rich texture.
Side Dishes
Serve these muffins alongside a steaming cup of coffee or chai tea to enhance their cozy, comforting flavors. Fresh fruit or a simple yogurt parfait makes for a lovely balance if you want a fully rounded breakfast or brunch plate.
Creative Ways to Present
For a special occasion, serve your Gooey Cinnamon Cream Cheese Muffins Recipe on a decorative platter with cinnamon sticks and fresh mint for a festive touch. You can slice the muffins in half and spread extra cream cheese or fruit preserves for a delightful snack or light dessert.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftover muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. To maintain their moist texture and prevent the cream cheese from drying out, this is your best bet for enjoying them fresh.
Freezing
Wrap each muffin individually in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe bag or container. Frozen this way, they last up to 3 months and can be a lifesaver when you want a quick, indulgent snack without baking from scratch.
Reheating
Warm muffins in the microwave for about 20 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes. This restores the gooey center and freshly baked feel, making every bite as delightful as the first.
FAQs
Can I substitute cream cheese with another ingredient?
Cream cheese is key for that luscious gooey center in this recipe. While you can try mascarpone or ricotta for a milder tang, the texture and flavor might differ slightly.
Can I make these muffins dairy-free?
Yes! Use dairy-free cream cheese, butter alternatives, and plant-based milk to make this recipe suitable for a dairy-free diet. The taste will still be rich and delicious.
How do I prevent the cream cheese filling from leaking out?
Make sure to gently swirl the batter instead of mixing the filling thoroughly. Also, placing just a spoonful in the center without overfilling the cups helps maintain the beautiful gooey core.
What is the best way to store leftover muffins?
Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days or freeze them for longer storage to preserve freshness and moistness.
Can I add nuts or fruit to this recipe?
Absolutely! Chopped pecans, walnuts, or even dried cranberries can be folded into the batter or sprinkled on top before baking for added texture and flavor.
Final Thoughts
Making the Gooey Cinnamon Cream Cheese Muffins Recipe is like gifting yourself a little moment of joy in the kitchen. It’s simple, fun, and so rewarding when you bite into that moist, cinnamon-spiced muffin with a melty cream cheese center. Whether for breakfast, brunch, or just an afternoon treat, these muffins promise to warm your heart and satisfy your sweet cravings. So warm up that oven and get baking – your taste buds will thank you!
Print
Gooey Cinnamon Cream Cheese Muffins Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 muffins
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Deliciously gooey cinnamon cream cheese muffins that are perfect for breakfast or dessert. These muffins feature a tender crumb infused with cinnamon and a luscious cream cheese center, swirled with cinnamon sugar for a sweet, comforting treat that’s easy to make and sure to impress.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup milk
Cream Cheese Filling
- 6 oz cream cheese, softened
- 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
Topping
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for swirl or topping)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon until evenly combined.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, use a mixer to cream the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender muffin texture.
- Add Eggs and Flavor: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract for aroma and flavor.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: Mix in sour cream and milk until the batter is smooth and uniform, providing moisture and richness to the muffins.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet batter. Mix gently until just combined to avoid overworking the batter and keep the muffins tender.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Filling: In a small bowl, blend the softened cream cheese with powdered sugar until smooth and creamy for a sweet, tangy center.
- Prepare Cinnamon Sugar Topping: In another small bowl, mix together the brown sugar and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon to sprinkle on top of the muffins.
- Assemble Muffins: Fill each muffin cup halfway with the batter. Add a spoonful of the cream cheese filling to the center, then top with the remaining batter. Use a toothpick to gently swirl the cream cheese mixture into the batter. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly on top of each muffin.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 18 to 22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean, indicating they are fully cooked.
- Cool: Let the muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely or serve warm.
Notes
- For extra gooey cream cheese centers, freeze small dollops of the cream cheese filling for 15 minutes before assembling the muffins.
- Add chopped pecans to the batter or as a topping for a crunchy texture.
- Drizzle with icing or glaze for added sweetness and flair.
